FLOWERING EXOTIC

Although many of our hardy exotics are beautiful flowering like gingers and several foliage plants; the species in this additional list have flowering as an important part of the ornamental value. They are all nice accent plants to be used in compositions with f.e. bamboo and ornamental grasses.

Agapanthus is well known as frost sensitive conservatory plant but there are also more hardy varieties which can be applied in outdoor planting.
Agapanthus 'Midnight Star' is one of the most beautiful dark blue purple flowering species. ‘Midnight Star’ is deciduous and flowers are about 50-80 cm high. This narrow-leaved selection forms a compact clump with strap-shaped leaves 30 cm high. Sometimes we also have white-flowered cultivars in cultivation. We recommend to provide an insulating mulch layer during severe winters

Allium, or ornamental onion has many species and cultivars that raise their heads early in the spring and early in the spring or summer to flourish. Beautiful seasonal bloomers in combination with ornamental grasses which follow each other in the season. In late summer and autumn we can provide most species. Large numbers need to ordered in advance. Allium In combination with ornamental grasses I use the most Allium ‘Purple Spring' Allium 'Mount Everest' Allium 'Gladiator' Allium 'Globemaster' and Allium ‘Spider'

Commelina tuberosa ‘Blue Spider’ from South Africa has shiny dark green tapered leaves. This plant flowers profusely with sky blue flowers on 40cm tall stems, during much of the summer. Striking is the special flower color in combination with the bright yellow stamens. The flowers align themselves at the end of the day. Full sun, but also a slightly shaded place is okay. Preferably in a well-drained soil. With a light winter cover it is hardy in our climate. Nice to apply in groups, for example in combination with gingers and low grasses.

Crinum moorei ‘Album’, white hook lily (South Africa) is a species valued for its refined beauty of its sturdy leaf structure and large white flowers that resemble lilies. It’s a hybrid of C. bulbispermum x C. moorei and was bred in England in the 19th century. Along the long neck strap-shaped leaves grow. During summer a 120 cm-long flower stalk produces upto 10 cm large white, fragrant flowers. C. moorei 'Album' is one of the strongest species for outdoor planting with more beautiful habitus compared to the more common Crinum x powellii.
The new species Crinum bulbispermum has blue-green leaves and flowers with white-pink striped flowers. An interesting newcomer, limited stock.

Crocosmia sp. Ireland a very hardy Irish hybrid from this South African species with orange-red flowers in a wave form along the flower stalk. After flowering attractive seed pods remain during winter. This plant grows upto 40-50 cm and slowly forms a group. The sword-shaped leaves makes a nice vertical wavy accent. This plant grows well on a sunny spot to almost full shadow in any good garden soil. Pretty as a color accent in combination with ornamental grasses and bamboo! Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is a good blood-red flowering species 60-90cm, also hardy.

Eremurus himalayacus 'White Beauty’, Cleopatra's Needle (Russia - Asia) is an elegant, stately perennials with a rich bloom. Shortly after the winter the blue-green rosette appears above the ground (30-50 cm). In the course of the spring emerges the inflorescence. This consists of 1.5 - 2 meters high bloom steal, equipped with hundreds of white flowers. Other cultivars are Eremurus robustus (the largest, salmon), Eremurus ‘Cleopatra' (orange) and the colorful Eremurus 'De Ruiter' hybrids. After flowering develop the round fruit around the stem. Eremurus grows best on well-drained soil in full sun. Available in late summer / autumn, check available stock or pre-order

Eucomis bicolor, pineapple plant (South Africa) has a striking inflorescence which is reminiscent of a small pineapple fruit on the plant. This summer flowering bulb bear ears with green or greenish white flowers with purple edged petals. These are topped by a tuft of leaf-like bracts. Later, the flowers are followed by star-shaped fruits that remain long on the plant. Eucomis grows in summer
best in full sun on a moist soil. During the winter should be able to dry sufficiently on the ground, so a good permeability during the winter rest is important.
Eucomis pallidiflora 'Pole evansii' giant pineapple plant has a larger leaf rosette and an elongated inflorescence. This giant may eventually reach 1.5m and is topped in late summer with soft green, bell-shaped flowers with a creamy white heart. The long green leaves form a rosette form.
Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' is characterized by its dark red young leaves. Older leaves preserved a red glow over the dark green leaves. The flower stalk is wine red and adorned with dozens of creamy white flowers with a red tinge. Under favorable conditions,'Sparkling Burgundy' grows 40-60 cm high. It grows best in a humus rich, well drained soil in full sun. In winter, covered with a layer of bark or wood chips, this plant is growing in our garden since 2007. Very nice accent plant in an exotic border.

Impatiens arguta 'Blue Dream' is a botanical species from Nepal with violet-blue flowers. Early spring this plant is about 30-50 cm high. From mid-summer the plant will flower until late autumn. We have obtained this species from northern Indian import and it is growing in our garden since 2002.

Iris japonica is a low (30 cm), evergreen iris which differs in many respects from the known species. The foliage grows in compact fans with glossy green, broad leaves. The plant spreads slowly by rhizomes. In addition, wearing very beautiful fringed flowers with a beautiful white-blue coloring additional to the ornamental value. It looks like Iris confusa, but us more hardy and is growing in our show garden since 2009. Sometimes we also have the variegatied form: Iris japonica ‘Variegata’

Salvia 'Caradonna' is a sage-species with a strong upright growth habit, deep purple stems and long flowering with elongated purple spikes. Also has a beautiful winter picture. A second bloom is possible after the faded stems of the first blooms are cut back. Plants for a sunny, some poor pitch. Very beautiful in combination with ornamental grasses and other perennials.

Tricyrtis formosana 'Seiryu', this Japanese false orchid is called 'Dark Beauty'. This Japanese orchid appearance is characterized by very fine, delicate flowers. 'Seiryu' blooms with upturned bell or funnel-shaped flowers. The flowers are deep purple-pink to bluish purple dotted. This species is 60 to 90 centimeters high and has an open, transparent habit. Flowers from August to October. The leaves have a deep green color and grows best on a moist soil in partial shade to sun.

Verbena bonariensis is now a well-known garden plant but I still mention it because of the beautiful combinations with transparent ornamental grasses.