Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Red Top’

We’ve grown this excellent small scale groundcover for 20 years and it never fails to find a useful place in gardens. ‘Red Top’ Asian Star Jasmine is named for its bright red new growth which settles down to green with  white veins. Each leaf is very pretty but as the plant mounds up and becomes dense its downright elegant. Thick growing ground cover for full sun to full shade in rich, moisture retentive soil. Takes very dry conditions once it has rooted in a bit. Trailing stems will root as they touch the soil providing erosion control. In wind free places with support it will actually  climb as a vine and become self adhering to any rough surface. Adult foliage has leaves that are nearly circular and will produce a long season of ivory propeller shaped non-fragrant flowers June – August. Moderate deer resistance. To 10″ tall and 3′ wide as a ground cover. Regular water significantly speeds growth. Good winter appearance. Easy to grow plant.

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I found this remarkable form of our native Inside Out flower in southern Oregon,  I wiggled off a tiny piece and put it in my pocket, the parent plant was unharmed.  Its taken years but we are ready to offer this beautiful form of our native Vancouveria hexandra with new foliage that is deep wine colored and then matures to green with a red edge. In early summer this spreading perennial sports upside down white flowers on 4″ to 6″ above the foliage. A spreading ground cover that shows remarkable tolerance to drought once established.  Amend the soil  with compost and mulch, water consistently for the first year or two. Let the soil dry between watering. Leaves rise 6″ and forms spreading colonies.  Winter deciduous, it disappears completely – all the better to showcase the deep burgundy new growth. Fall color is yellow and brief and the plant remains decompose over winter.  Not the first plant to be devoured by deer/ rabbits but I would protect for the first few years.  Deep burgundy foliage remains showy before morphing to deep green  with a red edge. This is a member of the Barberry family (Berberidaceae) and is related to Epimedium and has the same applications. Combine with gold leaved perennials for the most contrast and drama. Hakenochloa macra ‘All Gold’ , ‘Campanula garganica ‘Dicksons Gold’, and Golden baby tears , Soleirolia soleirolii ‘Aurea’ . Very good in containers as well. Spice up a native garden. This perennial makes a great cover for native bulbs –  Brodiaea  and Fritillaria lanceolata, Calochortus tolmei,- are excellent companions, fading just as the Vancouveria  is emerging and bulking up. Enriched soil, regular water to establish, this dweller of the forest floor appreciates an annual mulch.  Oregon native plant 

Xera Plants Introduction

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Vitis californica x vinifera ‘Roger’s Red’

This wonderful grape vine was originally found along the Russian River by Roger Raiche and is absolutely stunning in autumn. This very large growing deciduous grape will eventually grow to 20′ and develop a sturdy, gnarled trunk. Grows about 3′-6′ per year. This is a wild hybrid between the European Wine grape and our native  vitis californica. What that yields is one tough plant that handles our climate like a champion. Best used in wild areas and if you are going to plant it to grow up a tree make sure the vine you start with is small and the tree you put it in is big. In September-November a long display of brilliant claret red foliage- the individual leaves can be 10″ across. Simultaneously it will sport dark purple edible fruit in large clumps. The medium green foliage is leathery and is best in part shade to full sun. Especially brilliant draping evergreen oaks as it was found in the wild. Climbs by tendrils but provide very strong support at least #4 copper wire.  Leaves arrive in mid spring. Very drought adapted when established. Water for the first season to establish then set it free. Vitis californica can be found in bot the Rogue and Umpqua river basins in Oregon.

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Woodwardia unigemmata

Relatively new fern with a great future ahead. Large growing evergreen chain fern from Asia with new growth lavishly dyed red- it settles to soft green with time. To 3′ across the fronds are held atop relatively long stems. The rubbery green leaves are finely divided with surprisingly soft lobes. Rich, moisture retentive soil in bright shade to shade. Spectacular plant at all times we have observed it. So far it has not suffered damage in my garden below 10ºF and appearance following a rough winter was good. Highly deer resistant. Spectacular.

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