Alpine, Rock, Miniature, Bonsai and Railroad Gardens
Showing 81–88 of 117 results
-
Phlox stolonifera syn. P. reptans Creeping phlox Z. 4-9
Flowers white to pink to purple in spring
OUT OF STOCK
Flowers white to pink to purple in spring
Size: 6-12” x spreads by stolons (stems that root on soil surface
Care: sun to shade in most any soil
Native: Appalachian Mountains
Size: Very useful groundcover due to its willingness to grow anywhereCurtis’s Botanical Magazine 1801: discovered by John Fraser in Georgia 1786 and sent to Sims in 1801. ALSO COLLECTED BY Michaux about same time but Sims described 1st ans so received priority. Sims’ described a form with violet corolla from Blue Ridge Mtns. A purple colored form which is more wide-spread named P. stolonifera crassifolia by Don. A “showy-flowered Phlox which has long been in cultivation combines the characters of P. subulata and P. stolonifera in such a striking way as to clearly indicate its origin as a hybrid between these two species.” Given various names incl/ P. procumbens, P verna and P. amoena. P. 76
-
Phyteuma scheuchzeri Horned rampion Z 5-8
globe-shaped, blue-purple flowers with petals resembling horns
Clusters of globe-shaped, blue-purple flowers with petals resembling horns or curved spikes bloom in June-July. “…(W)hen exposed only to the morning sun, will keep long in bloom.” Curtis’ Botanical Magazine 1815-6.
Size: 8-12” x 12”
Care: sun in well-drained soil
Native: Mountains of Switzerland and “Piemont.”Collected in late 1700’s. The name Phyteuma is from Greek meaning “a plant.”
-
Polemonium reptans Greek valerian, Jacobs ladder Z 4-8
Cluster of light blue bell shaped blooms in May and June
Clusters of light blue bell shaped blooms in May and June
Size: 8-12” x 10”
Care: part shade in moist to moist well-drained soil, immune to Walnut toxins
Native: Ontario & Quebec to Alabama, west to MN & KS, Wisconsin nativeCollected for gardens before 1750. Meskwaki made a compound of roots as a physic and for urinary ailments.
-
Potentilla porphyrantha Z 3-8
Hairy, gray foliage set off mid-pink blooms in spring
Hairy, gray foliage set off mid-pink blooms in spring
Size: 6” x 15”
Care: sun in moist well-drained to well-drained soil
Native: Caucasus Mountains in Armenia1st described for botany in 1940. Seems to be controversy among taxonomists about the plant’s name. Regardless, both the foliage and flowers make a beautiful little alpine plant.
-
Potentilla tridentata syn. Sibbaldiopsis tridentate Three-toothed cinquefoil Z 2-8
short subshrub that blooms all summer, then in fall the leaves turn burgundy.
OUT OF STOCK
Compact subshrub groundcover with white five-petaled flowers June – August. Leaves turn burgundy in fall.
Size: 3-6” x 12-15”
Care: sun in well-drained, acidic soil
Native: most of eastern North America to the arctic, south to Georgia, WI native
Wildlife Value: source of food for Copper butterflies
Awards: Cary Award Distinctive Plants for New EnglandCollected before 1789.
-
Potentilla x tonguei Staghorn cinquefoil Z. 5-8
Apricot-yellow flowers with red centers bloom June-September
Apricot-yellow flowers with red centers bloom June-September. We love its long, colorful blooms and neat habit. Perfect in rock gardens.
Size: 5” x 12”
Care: Sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil
Awards: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.Potentilla is Latin meaning “powerful” referring to historic medicinal properties since Hippocrates. This is a cross of P. anglica and P. nepalensis which took place naturally in a garden. This Cinquefoil has been in gardens since at least 1839.
-
Primula elatior Oxlip Z 4-9
Nodding trumpets of soft yellow flowers with a dark yellow center atop upright stems
Nodding trumpets of soft yellow flowers with a dark yellow center atop upright stems
Size: 10” x 10”
Care: part shade in moist to moist well-drained soil
Native: Europe
Wildlife Value: deer and rabbit resistant
Awards: Plant Select® Central Rocky Mountain region; Royal Botanical Society Award of Garden MeritPrimula is from Italian “primavera” meaning first spring. Elatior means “tall”, all things being relative it’s taller than some Primulas but not very tall. In gardens since at least 1765. According to Philip Miller, Gardener’s Dictionary 1768, “they are much used in medicine.” Grown at America’s 1st botanic garden, Elgin Botanic Garden 1811.
-
Sagina subulata Pearlwort, Irish moss Z 4-7
Tiny white flowers in summer on extra-miniature grass-like leaves
Tiniest of white flowers in summer on mound of extra-miniature grass-like leaves. Perfect for rock gardens, between stepping stones on a path or as a groundcover.
Size: ½” x 8”
Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil
Native: CorsicaSagina subulata was discussed in Revue Horticole in 1896. The variety aurea extensively used for carpet bedding. H.H. Thomas, 1915.
