The world of Hebes is big, and they are almost all (99%) from New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere. This is a close Hebe relative but it excels at its floral display more than symmetrical foliage. To 2′ tall this is light airy evergreen with grass green foliage lined in maroon. In late spring to summer branches extend above the plant and yield airy dark purple buds that open to light lavender- these panicles are up to 1′ long. Its an outstanding showy affect that is adored by pollinators. Full sun and rich to average soil with regular irrigation. Best in a spot protected from sub-freezing east wind. A western or southern exposure. Very easy to grow evergreen shrublet that finds a home in shrub borders, perennial borders, even gravel gardens. The airy flowers work great as cuts they will last at least a week. I leave the flowers on mine to bring joy to our big black and yellow fluffy bumble bees that seem to hone in on this plant. Mulch in autumn. Blooms April to June. Very fun to grow. Prune lightly after bloom has ended to increase blooming stems and density.
Foliage Color: Red/Pink
Helleborus x sternii ‘Variegata’
The O’Byrnes gave us this strain of the variegated form of Helleborus x sternii. Inheriting cold tolerance from H. corsica and nifty, thick palmate leaves from the more tender H. lividus .The result is a tough plant with green cupped flowers stained rose on the outside of the bell. The flowers remain effective for several months. Not quite as long as the straight H. x sternii, but a relatively long time. A shrubby species with large evergreen leaves. They are heavily speckled with cream dots with an underside to the leaves and the stems tinted pink. The palmate leaves become large and arching. Full sun with more frequent irrigation to full shade with less. To 2′ x 2′. Deer and possibly rabbit resistant. The rough leaves resist weather. Site as you would for a small shrub. It is elegant with other woodlanders or can be grown with drought tolerant to low water plants even in full sun. Flower bend over enshrouded in a cup shape that protects the pollen from rain and the vagaries of winter weather. Blooms January with flowers effective for three months. Great, sophisticated but tough plant for rural areas. May be afflicted with aphids in late spring. Hose those off or do not look closely.
Impatiens omieana ‘Silver Pink’
Large, bold foliage perennial for shade. Vigorous dome forming plant with large maroon/green leaves with a central pink mid-rib. In mid-autumn subtle but large light yellow flowers appear. To 2′ x 3′ for rich, well drained soil and regular summer irrigation. Good drainage is helpful as well. Contrasts nicely with gold leaved plants. Avoid hot sun and dry conditions. Great with an annual application of compost. Winter deciduous. More vigorous and shower than the species. Great under large established shrubs. Winter deciduous.
Reknowned not only for the vivid red flowers this cultivar that is frequently planted in North Texas is incredibly hardy to cold and does surprisingly well in the Willamette Valley. Upright, somewhat stiff habit to 18′- 20′ in maturity, width 1/2 that. The glossy round dark green leaves are tinted red and this is a back drop to the vivid, true red flowers that erupt from black buds in large trusses. Best in a very hot position in full sun and rich soil with reliable, once a week irrigation. Excellent results against a south facing wall of a building. Seems to have the same heat requirements and vivid flower color of the more commonly grown red variety ‘Dynamite’. In cool weather, between heat stretches, the flowers can emerge speckled with white- curious but uncommon. Bold red flowers are large and lightly fragrant. I have yet to observe mildew on this cultivar in the specimens I’ve located around Portland but I would give it good air circulation, full sun and regular irrigation, avoid dry shade. Full, hot all day sun. The trunks are colored very light tan which contrasts well with the dark foliage and vivid flowers. It exfoliates to a glossy sheen. Fall color is red/ orange. Loved by pollinators. Blooms Aug – Oct. Moderately fast growing, irrigation increases the rate of growth and aids in flowering. Not as easy to root as most cultivars, a limited quantity of this tree will likely always be available. Amazing in bloom.
This is a very pretty and unusual Crape Myrtle selection that we made years ago. After more than a decade it has shown no sign of powdery mildew and has profuse frilly rich purple reliable flowers. This is a compact and slow growing shrub to 6′ tall in 10 years and half as wide progressively larger over time. In early July it alights in large trusses of clear purple flowers, in full bloom they obscure the foliage. Fresh green foliage emerges tinted pewter and changes to shades of orange and red in fall. Rich soil, in full all day sun in a warm position. Crape myrtles loathe any and all shade. The compact habit and measured growth means that pruning is seldom necessary. Thin trunks and stems exfoliate to a glossy tan and are showy in winter. Water once a week through bloom. This shrub creates a wonderful ball of purple for 6-8 weeks beginning in early July. The long bloom time means that this is a supreme pollinator shrub. Rich soil with mulch is ideal. Very adaptable to large containers and with regular water and annual applications of all organic fertilizer. Crape myrtles will stall, the leaves will turn red and not bloom if they have insufficient irrigation water once a week. A great small purple crape myrtle we specifically selected for the Willamette Valley.
Xera Plants Introduction
Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’
Fan plant is a nice looking spring blooming perennial that gets its common name from the fan shape of the leaves. They emerge light pink and then change to medium green with a sheen. This cultivar has larger leaves that are conspicuously tinted red. To 20″ high and spreading in moist rich soil with regular irrigation. Part shade to shade. White flowers in March/April. Remarkably unmolested by slugs and snails. In fall the foliage turns bright red before going deciduous. Wonderful well behaved perennial for moist wet soil, the banks of a stream, or border.. Very easy to grow. Spreads to several feet wide in 4 years. Japan.
Origanum x ‘Bristol Cross’
Unusual hybrid that has created some striking effects for an ornamental oregano. Distinctly upright stems to 2′ tall, beginning in June groups of up and outwards facing pink small hope like structures bear tiny violet pink flowers. Bloom goes on virtually for months and even when officially done these “hops” remain and change to a deep madder red. A large plant with dozens of upright stems bearing these remnants of flowers is really cool. Full sun and rich, well drained soil. Consistent light watering. Detach the whole stem from the base as a long lasting unusual cut flower. Dies to a low rosette of leaves in winter. Cut back the dead remaining upright stems in spring. Cold hardy. Photo credit: Grace Peterson- thanks Grace.
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Akebono’
An exceptional Tea Olive that we love. New growth emerges pink before changing to lacquer white and finally deep green. This period of transition lasts for months and is far showier than the small white flowers that cluster at the leaf axils in autumn. They do, however, emit a sweet perfume that is detectable for many yards. Great cold hardiness for a broad leaved evergreen enduring temps below 0ºF with no harm. Tolerates subfreezing wind and would be a fantastic and showy hedge to block the east wind. To 7′ tall in 7′ years eventually reaching small tree size. Full sun to part shade in average to enriched soil where there is never standing water in summer. Tolerates clay soils on slopes and it is best with about 3 deep soaks per summer once well established. Mulch when planting. Avoid reflected heat. Moderately deer resistant. Blooms on old wood. Prune if needed AFTER blooming has ended. Naturally dense habit. As the shrub matures the leaves which are mildly prickly in youth change to smooth edged entire leaves. Pretty, tough, dynamic shrub. Japan.
Oxalis oregana ‘Klamath Ruby’
Far and away our most vigorous clone of our native Oregon Sorrel. So named for the bright red underside of the leaves. In spring and sporadically into summer pure white flowers peek over the foliage. This is a fast colonizing plant that goes by underground stolons and it can cover several feet in a year. In time it will cover anything in part shade to shade in rich, hummus laden, moisture retentive soil. Piles up to about 6″ deep in no time. This form is decidedly evergreen. Use for wild areas to obstruct smaller weed growth- under decks, shady glens, other areas too dark for plants to grow. Oregon native plant.
Podocarpus x ‘Red Tips’
Excellent, dwarf/very small Mountain Yew Pine hybrid. To just 2′ tall forming a very dense plant to 3′ wide in 10 years. Late in the summer and autumn it pushes beautiful red stained growth that persists through winter. This small formal looking plant has deep green fine, yew like foliage the remainder of the year. Adaptable conifer that takes clay soils as well as sand. Occasional deep watering not only improves appearance it guarantees that the late summer and autumn color change to red is more dramatic. Full sun to very light shade (with a slightly more open habit). Tiny green pillar shaped flowers can turn into red berries. Very easy to grow for a formal, clean or modern aesthetic. The dense growth is a great fine texture that mixes brilliantly with smaller ornamental grasses and other small conifers. Hybrid between two southern hemisphere Podocarpus. Does not require pruning or maintenance of any kind. Tiny needles are but 4mm long. CUTE. Long lived. Light deer resistance.