New Arrivals

Some plant explorers travel the world risking life and limb to collect seeds, haul them across the world, grow new plants, and introduce them into commerce.  As gardeners we are grateful for these brave souls who allow plant explorers like ourselves who get into our cars and drive from nursery to nursery to be thrilled by new plants.  In one of my recent motorized expeditions to a nursery about 10 minutes from my house, I saw these new-to-me treasures.


Chasmanthium latifolium or Variegated Sea Oats which forms a nice perennial clump of green and white folaige. 

When the weather starts to cool a little, the leaves blush with and the seeds turn this vibrant purple color.

Ilex x meserveae 'Minnieves'  or Scallywag Holly.   The male is the interesting one of these.  It doesn't bear fruit but will act as a pollinator to your other hollies.   The leaves look as dangerous as other hollies but the points are actually fairly soft. 

 The bark has a beautiful burgundy color and the bush remains compact.  What's not to love?

O.K. all you big foliage lovers, look what that nice Hinkley man and Monrovia brought just in time for Christmas!  It's a beaufully variegated Fatsia japonica.  I fell hard for this one. (The plant, not Hinkley although they're both pretty swell.)

 Just look at that variegation.  Sigh... 

Guess which one came home with me?  Plant I mean.