Catalogue

 Garden Plants of the World
with Gary Lewis on Gardening 101
South America
Many of the plants in this catalogue are available this year at Phoenix.
Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.
3380 No. 6 Rd. | Richmond, BC | V6V 1P5
604-270-4133 | [email protected]
www.phoenixperennials.com
Perennials p. 1
1
Perennials
Achimenes ‘Harry Williams’
Orchid Pansy
Gesneriaceae (The African Violet Family)
Zone 7b-10
This mostly tropical genus has a few hardy cultivars.
Plant Delights nursery in zone 7 North Carolina has
trialed a number of achimenes for winter hardiness
and found that 'Harry Williams' “returned in great
shape after a winter low of eight degrees F (-13 C).”
This cultivar emerges in June with fuzzy green
foliage and is topped in summer with beautiful
pansy-shaped flowers that emerge crimson red, then
morph to crimson violet, both with a contrasting
yellow throat. Part sun to part shade.
Red
H 8-12"
W 8-12"
Summer
Part Sun
Part Shade
Peruvian
Lily
Alstroemeria Inca Collection Inca Ice 'Koice'
Alstroemeriaceae (The Alstroemeria Family)
Zone 6-9
This cultivar has remarkable vigour and capacity to
produce loads of flowers over a long period from
early summer well into fall. This plant forms a bushy,
upright clump of linear, green leaves. The flowers
have petals of soft apricot pink and creamy yellow
with brown speckling and red stamen filaments.
White/Cr H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer - Fall
Sun
Part Sun
Peruvian
Lily
Alstroemeria Inca Collection Inca Joli 'Koncajoli'
Alstroemeriaceae (The Alstroemeria Family)
Zone 6-9
This cultivar has remarkable vigour and capacity to
produce loads of flowers over a long period from
early summer well into fall. This plant forms a bushy,
upright clump of linear, green leaves. The flowers
have petals of firey red with yellow throats and brown
speckling.
Red
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer - Fall
Sun
Part Sun
Perennials p. 2
Hairy Flowering Fern
Anemia tomentosa
Anemiaceae (The flowering fern Family)
Zone 8-10
The Hairy flowering fern is unusual in bearing two
types of fronds, the sterile and fertile. The fertile and
sterile fronds look similar, except the fertile fronds
produce long, alien, antennae-like "flower" stalks
from spring to fall that are home to the developing
spores. Plant it in a dry pocket in Zone 8 (with
protection). They are most often seen growing
amongst rock and rubble, this giving them the
drainage they need. They respond well to a good
watering in the summer as they are coming into
growth.
H 8-12"
W 8-12"
Part Shade
PartFern
Sun
Deer
Blechnum brasiliensis
Blechnaceae (The Deer or Chain Fern Family)
Zone 10
Deer fern has two types of fronds, vegetative and
reproductive. The vegetative fronds form an
attractive, evergreen rosette of broadly spreading,
glossy fronds that hug the ground. Later in the
season a set of finer textured, vertical, spore-bearing
fronds arise from the centre of this rosette. The new
leaves are bright reddish.
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Loves Shade
Full - Part
Shade
Chilean
Hard
Fern
Blechnum chilense
Blechnaceae (The Deer or Chain Fern Family)
Zone 7-11
This gorgeous yet rare fern has thick leathery fronds
that often emerge tinted with copper and red. It is
slowly rhizomatous forming beautiful masses with
time. A native of Chile, it grows in a wide range of
habitats where good moisture is available. Evergreen
in mild winters, deciduous in cold winters.
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Part Shade
Part Sun
Canna
Lily
Canna 'Blueberry Sparkler'
Cannaceae (The Canna Family)
Zone 7-11
A fantastic canna with great design potential: purple
leaves and blue-grey undersides surround medium
pink flowers. This 6 foot tall slender beauty is selfcleaning and blooms all summer. Our plants are
virus indexed and negative. Cannas offer great
tropical foliage and are generally hardy to our
temperatures but sensitive to winter wet. In the
garden, plant in a well-drained sunny location and
mulch with leaves. Cannas are also great in pots.
Shelter these in a garage or shed for winter.
Pink
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer
Loves Sun
Sun
Perennials p. 3
Canna Lily
Canna 'Intrigue'
Cannaceae (The Canna Family)
Zone 7-10
'Intrigue' has peach coloured flowers with a hint of
orange. The foliage is striking burgundy held on
strong vertical stems. Virus indexed so these plants
are clean and will produce beautiful foliage without
the mottling and striations found in most other canna
available in nurseries.
Pink
H 4-6'
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Part Sun
Canna
Lily
Canna ‘Pretoria/Bengal Tiger’
Cannaceae (The Canna Family)
Zone 7-10
Fantastic tropical foliage striped with green and gold
and topped with firey orange flowers in summer.
Great for adding that subtropical look to your garden.
Hardy to zone 7 if planted in well-drained soil and
given a little mulch. Our plants are virus indexed and
clean.
Orange
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves
CannaSun
Lily
Canna x generalis 'Australia'
Cannaceae (The Canna Family)
Zone 7-9
Striking maroon foliage is the darkest among Canna.
The large ruffled flowers are red with a hint of
orange. Blooms in late summer. Mature height of 4
to 6 feet. Our plants are virus indexed and negative.
Cannas offer great tropical foliage and are generally
hardy to our temperatures but sensitive to winter wet.
In the garden, plant in a well-drained sunny location
and mulch with leaves. Cannas are also great in
pots. Shelter these in a garage or shed for winter.
Red
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer
Loves Sun
Sun
Dahlia
Dahlia Bishop 'Bishop of Canterbury'
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
This cultivar has flowers that appear red or magenta
depending on the angle of the light. The flowers are
single and sit atop rich, burgundy foliage. Blooms
from early summer until fall and grows from two to
three feet tall. Excellent in containers or in the
garden. Three options for winter starting with easiest
and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free
area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground
in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen
leaves.
Magenta H 2-4'
W 12-24"
Summer - Fall
Sun
Perennials p. 4
Dahlia
Dahlia Bishop 'Bishop of Llandaff'
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
The classic 'Bishop of Llandaff' is the dahlia that
started the current interest in burgundy-leaved
dahlias. 'Llandaff' has rich red, peony-type flowers
that are four inches across. They are held on black
stems to about three feet with more finely dissected
foliage than the other Bishops. Three options for
winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a
pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and
store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny
beds under a mound of fallen leaves.
Red
H 2-4'
W 12-24"
Summer - Fall
Sun
Dahlia Bishop 'Bishop of Oxford'
Dahlia
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Bold orange single flowers atop rich, burgundy
foliage. Blooms from early summer until fall and
grows from two to three feet tall. Excellent in
containers or in the garden. Three options for winter
starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and
move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3.
leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds
under a mound of fallen leaves.
Orange
H 2-4'
W 12-24"
Summer - Fall
Sun
Dahlia Bishop 'Bishop of York'
Dahlia
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Bright yellow, single flowers atop rich, burgundy
foliage. Blooms from early summer until fall and
grows from two to three feet tall. Excellent in
containers or in the garden. Three options for winter
starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and
move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3.
leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds
under a mound of fallen leaves.
Yellow
H 2-4'
W 12-24"
Summer - Fall
Sun
Dahlia Dark Angel 'American Pie'
Dahlia
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Soft-pink, almost white at the edges with dark
centres. Rich, burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel
Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved
dahlias named after popular movies. They have
been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single
flowers, burgundy foliage and a compact size under
15 inches. Three options for winter starting with
easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a
frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the
ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound
of fallen leaves.
Pink
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Perennials p. 5
Dahlia
Dahlia Dark Angel 'Braveheart'
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Dark magenta-purple flowers. Rich, burgundy
foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf,
burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular
movies. They have been selected for excellent,
richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a
compact size under 15 inches. Three options for
winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a
pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and
store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny
beds under a mound of fallen leaves.
Magenta H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Dahlia Dark Angel 'Dracula'
Dahlia
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Warm purper-red flowers. Rich, burgundy foliage.
The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf,
burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular
movies. They have been selected for excellent,
richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a
compact size under 15 inches. Three options for
winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a
pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and
store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny
beds under a mound of fallen leaves.
Red
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Dahlia Dark Angel 'Dragon Ball'
Dahlia
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Salmon-orange flowers with lighter tips. Rich,
burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group
of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after
popular movies. They have been selected for
excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage
and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options
for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in
a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and
store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny
beds under a mound of fallen leaves.
Pink
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Perennials p. 6
Dahlia
Dahlia Dark Angel 'Pretty Woman'
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Bright-pink flowers with a purple centre. Rich,
burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group
of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after
popular movies. They have been selected for
excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage
and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options
for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in
a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and
store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny
beds under a mound of fallen leaves.
Pink
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Dahlia Dark Angel 'Pulp Fiction'
Dahlia
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Bright red flowers. Rich, burgundy foliage. Shorter at
10 inches. The Dark Angel Series are a group of
dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular
movies. They have been selected for excellent,
richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a
compact size under 15 inches. Three options for
winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a
pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and
store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny
beds under a mound of fallen leaves.
Red
H 8-12"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Dahlia Dark Angel 'Star Wars'
Dahlia
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Orange-red with yellow centre. Rich, burgundy
foliage. Shorter at 10 inches. The Dark Angel Series
are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias
named after popular movies. They have been
selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers,
dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches.
Three options for winter starting with easiest and
safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area,
2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in welldrained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves.
Red
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Perennials p. 7
Dahlia
Dahlia Dark Angel 'Taxi Driver'
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 8-10
Bright yellow with brown-black centre. Rich,
burgundy foliage. Shorter at 10 inches. The Dark
Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved
dahlias named after popular movies. They have
been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single
flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15
inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest
and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free
area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground
in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen
leaves.
Yellow
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Summer
Erigeron karvinskianus
Sun
Daisy or Mexican Fleabane
Asteraceae (The Aster Family)
Zone 7-11
This plant is a trooper and very useful. It produces
endless tiny daisies that are emerge white and
mature to shades of pink, rose and red. It will seed
itself (reasonably not invasively) into places nobody
else would like and then burst into flower from
various nooks and crannies. Plant beside your steps,
pathways, around your patio or in rock walls or
rockeries. From Mexico and Central America.
Pink
H 8-12"
W 12-24"
Summer - Fall
Full - Part Sun
Sun
Agave-Leaf Sea Holly
Eryngium agavifolium
Apiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family)
Zone 6-9
This distinctive South American sea holly has apple
green, serrated, elongated leaves rising from a
central rosette that taken together resemble a
century plant or agave. In late summer the rosette
produces a stem two to four feet tall with clusters of
egg shaped inflorescences of white flowers. The
flowering stems turn dark brown with age and give
good winter interest.
White/Cr H 2-4'
W 12-24"
Summer
Loves Sun
Full -Sea
PartHolly
Sun
Eryngium eburneum
Apiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family)
Zone 7b-10
This South American sea holly forms a large and
very striking rosette of glossy, prickly, evergreen
serrated leaves. These are topped with an intriguing
thee to six foot inflorescence of white and green
flowers. Very cool. This peculiar genus from the
carrot family is found around the world but with its
centre of diversity in South America. There are also
a number of European species.
White/Cr H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer
Loves Sun
Full - Part Sun
Perennials p. 8
Sun Bromeliad
Fascicularia bicolor
Bromeliaceae (The Pineapple Family)
Zone 8-10
This epiphytic member of the pineapple family hails
from Chile and is likely hardier than the currently
suggested zone 8b. It forms a congested rosette of
long, narrow, silver foliage. When it comes into
bloom the foliage near the centre of the plant turns
bright red offering a colourful backdrop to the cluster
of sky blue flowers. Plant in a protected situation in
sharp drainage at an angle so the rosette can drain
or attach to a tree. In colder climates grow in a pot
and keep it frost free for winter.
Blue
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring - Summer
Part Shade
Part
Sun
Fuchsia
Fuchsia magellanica ‘Alba’
Onagraceae (The Evening Primrose Family)
Zone 6
This hardy fuchsia is called ‘Alba’ which means white
but its flowers are pale pink. The flowers grace the
arching stems in profusion throughout the summer.
Pink
H 6-10'
W 2-3'
Summer
Full - Part Shade
Sun
Fuchsia
Fuchsia magellanica ‘Windcliff Flurry’
Onagraceae (The Evening Primrose Family)
Zone 7-9
Selected by Dan Hinkley for its exceptional display of
brilliant red and purple flowers and improved winter
hardiness. Blooming for several months, it is
irresistible to hummingbirds and a great addition to a
background border.
Red
H 4-6'
W 3-5'
Summer
Full - Part Shade
Sun
Creeping Gunnera
Gunnera magellanica
Gunneraceae (The Gunnera Family)
Zone 7-10
A charming, diminuitive groundcover with round,
pleated, glossy leaves that you never would have
thought could be a Gunnera. Great for shade and
moist soils.
White/Cr H 4-8"
W 8-12"
Summer
Full - Part Shade
Part Shade
Perennials p. 9
Dinosaur Food
Gunnera manicata
Gunneraceae (The Gunnera Family)
Zone 7
This native of higher elevations in Brazil is a monster
perennial often called giant rhubarb or dinosaur food.
The leaves can reach five feet in diametre and stand
four to eight feet tall. Grow gunnera in moist, even
wet, conditions and rich soils. More upright than G.
tinctoria.
Red
H 6-10'
W 5-8'
Summer
Sun
Sun
ShowyPart
Libertia
Libertia formosa
Iridaceae (The Iris Family)
Zone 8
Exceptional evergreen plant with striking clean
vertical foliage, like an Iris sibirica, but with excellent
interest right through the winter, thus providing a
vertical so often absent in the winter garden. White
flowers at the tips of long stems.
White
H 2-4'
W 8-12"
Spring - Summer
Full - Part Sun
Sun
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis ‘Elm Fire’
Campanulaceae (The Bellflower Family)
Zone 3-9
Deep beet root red leaves and incredibly vivid red
flowers in mid to late summer. This is a stunning
vertical accent plant in terms of both foliage and
flower. This garden selection can be used as a
marginal in ponds but also does very well in average
garden soils. An improved form of the very popular
‘Queen Victoria’.
Red
H 2-4'
W 12-24"
Summer
Full - Part Sun
Sun
Devil’s Tobacco
Lobelia tupa
Campanulaceae (The Bellflower Family)
Zone 8
This gorgeous and architectural Chilean native
lobelia rises to heights of six feet with creamy
greyish green foliage and luscious lipstick red tubular
flowers that last for ages and ages. A plant I wouldn’t
be without in my own garden.
Red
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer
Sun
Perennials p. 10
Giant Apostles' Iris
Neomarica caerulea 'Regina'
Iridaceae (The Iris Family)
Zone 8-11
'Regina' is a wide-leaved, long-blooming, iris-like
evergreen that has 3-4 inch wide purple-blue flowers
accented by strikingly brilliant jade foliage, which
assumes a more clumping and upright habit than the
more common walking iris. The mauve flowers are
spotted with darker purple and striped with burgundy,
yellow, white and dark purple for an exquisite
display. Light fragrance. Grow in containers and
protect where not hardy. Salt tolerant.
Blue
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Sun
PartFern
Sun
Virginia Blue
Polypodium pseudoaureum
Polypodiaceae (The Polypody Family)
Zone 8-10
This unique fern is blue in colour (green in the
winter) and has mitt shaped fronds that are deeply
lobed. It can reach 12 inches tall with evergreen
leaves. Will brighten up a shady area in the garden
or in a container. Hardy to zone 8, this species is still
a bit of an adventure -- we are unaware of anyone
trying this in BC so far. Let us know if you have.
Makes a good houseplant.
H 8-12"
W 8-12"
Full - Part Shade
Shade
Hardy Petunia
Ruellia elegans 'Ragin' Cajun'
Acanthaceae (The Acanthus Family)
Zone 7b-11
This unusual plant has attractive, dark green foliage
and bright, red trumpet flowers that flare outwards
into four wings. The flowers are held on thin flower
stems. 'Ragin' Cajun' is a hardier cultivar of this
species that will bloom from June until frost. It is
versatile for use in flower beds or containers in
average to moist soils in full sun. Tolerant of heat
and humidity.
Red
H 12-24"
W 2-3'
Summer - Fall
Sun
Part
Sun
Yellow-Eyed
Grass
Sisyrinchium striatum
Iridaceae (The Iris Family)
Zone 7
A useful evergreen with Iris-like foliage to 16” and
strong, upright stems, beginning in early summer,
bearing open cupped, pale yellow, flowers. Do not
cut foliage in the fall just tidy it up in the spring.
Yellow
H 2-4'
W 12-24"
Summer
Loves Sun
Sun
Perennials p. 11
Chilean Blue Crocus
Tecophilaea cyanocrocus
Tecophilaeaceae (The Blue Crocus Family)
Zone 9-10
An exquisite bulb producing true royal blue flowers in
early spring unlike almost anything else in the
botanical world. Thin white stripes accentuate the
base of each petal. During summer dormancy keep
dry and cool. Protect in a frost free environment over
the winter. Worth every effort.
Blue
H 4-8"
W 4-8"
Late Winter - Early
Sun
Sun
Chilean BluePart
Crocus
Tecophilaea cyanocrocus 'Leichtlinii'
Tecophilaeaceae (The Blue Crocus Family)
Zone 9-10
A rare form of the Chilean blue crocus with white
flowers tipped with rich, sky blue in early spring.
Choice. During summer dormancy keep dry and
cool. Protect in a frost free environment over the
winter. Worth every effort.
Blue
H 4-8"
W 4-8"
Late Winter - Early
Sun
Sun
Chilean BluePart
Crocus
Tecophilaea cyanocrocus 'Violacea'
Tecophilaeaceae (The Blue Crocus Family)
Zone 9-10
This is a rare purple form of the Chilean blue crocus.
It produces velvety purple-blue flowers in early
spring. Thin white stripes accentuate the base of
each petal. During summer dormancy keep dry and
cool. Protect in a frost free environment over the
winter. Worth every effort.
Purple
H 4-8"
W 4-8"
Late Winter - Early
Sun
Sun
Brazilian Part
Verbena
Verbena bonariensis
Verbenaceae (The Verbena Family)
Zone 7-9
A summer stalwart with stiff upright clumps of
branching stems topped with vivid lilac purple flowers
beginning in midsummer until hard frost. Very heat
tolerant. Let it self-seed to ensure next year’s
display. This is a great "see through" plant. Be daring
and try it near the front of the bed. You’ll be able to
see past the airy stems to the other plants beyond
while giving the illusion of depth.
Purple
H 4-6'
W 8-12"
Late Summer
Loves Sun
Sun
Botanically Intriguing (Mostly Tender) p. 12
3
Botanically
Intriguing (Mostly Tender)
Acalypha pendula 'Firetail'
Strawberry Firetail
Euphorbiaceae (The Spurge Family)
Zone 9a-11
Intriguing fuzzy red "kitten tails" are produced in
great numbers all summer long by this member of
the Euphorbia family. Use in hanging baskets,
containers or in the ground in warm microclimates of
your yard. A native of Cuba this plant can take some
frost but not a full winter. Easy as a houseplant or in
a cool greenhouse.
Red
H 8-12"
W 12-24"
Summer
Sun
Brugmansia ‘Snowbank’
Angel’s Trumpet
Solanaceae (The Deadly Nightshade Family)
Zone 9-11
This dramatic angel’s trumpet is fantastic for both
flowers and foliage. The flowers are 10-12 inch long
dangling creamy yellow to apricot trumpets that are
fragrant in the evenings. The huge leaves are dark
green in the centre, with highlights of light grey-green
toward the edge and surrounded by a wide creamy
white border. Angel’s trumpets are fertilizer pigs and
reward any gardener who indulge them with heavy,
heavy fertilizing. The more fertilizer the more flowers
-- a very direct relationship.
Yellow
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer - Fall
Sun
Part
Sun
Dyckia
Dyckia 'Burgundy Ice'
Bromeliaceae (The Pineapple Family)
Zone 7a-11
Long, succulent, burgundy leaves and white teeth
make for a dramatic display. Dyckias are the most
cold tolerant of the Bromeliad family. They are
drought tolerant but thrive on frequent watering
during the active growing season. Keep plants on the
dry side during cold weather.
Yellow
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring
Sun
Dyckia 'Grape Jelly'
Dyckia
Bromeliaceae (The Pineapple Family)
Zone 8-11
Long, succulent, burgundy leaves that deepen in
colour in full sun. Flowers in spring on spikes with
orange blooms. Dyckias are the most cold tolerant of
the Bromeliad family. They are drought tolerant but
thrive on frequent watering during the active growing
season. Keep plants on the dry side during cold
weather.
Yellow
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring
Sun
Botanically Intriguing (Mostly Tender) p. 13
Dyckia
Dyckia 'Nickel Silver'
Bromeliaceae (The Pineapple Family)
Zone 8-11
This pineapple relative has long, succulent, green
leaves overlaid with silver and white spines. Flowers
in spring on spikes with orange blooms. Dyckias are
the most cold tolerant of the Bromeliad family. They
are drought tolerant but thrive on frequent watering
during the active growing season. Keep plants on the
dry side during cold weather.
Orange
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring
Sun
Dyckia 'Pale Ryder'
Dyckia
Bromeliaceae (The Pineapple Family)
Zone 7a-11
Long, succulent, silver white leaves with fabulously
ferocious teeth. Dyckias are the most cold tolerant of
the Bromeliad family. They are drought tolerant but
thrive on frequent watering during the active growing
season. Keep plants on the dry side during cold
weather.
Yellow
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring
Sun
Dyckia 'Red'
Dyckia
Bromeliaceae (The Pineapple Family)
Zone 7a-11
This selection has long, red leaves with silvery
undersides and serrated teeth. Dyckias are the most
cold tolerant of the Bromeliad family. They are
drought tolerant but thrive on frequent watering
during the active growing season. Keep plants on the
dry side during cold weather.
Yellow
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring
Sun
Dyckia 'Sabertooth'
Dyckia
Bromeliaceae (The Pineapple Family)
Zone 8-11
This pineapple relative has long, succulent, green
leaves overlaid with silver and white spines. Flowers
in spring on spikes with orange blooms. Dyckias are
the most cold tolerant of the Bromeliad family.They
are drought tolerant but thrive on frequent watering
during the active growing season. Keep plants on the
dry side during cold weather.
Yellow
H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring
Sun
Botanically Intriguing (Mostly Tender) p. 14
Amazon Lily
Eucharis amazonica
Amaryllidaceae (The Amaryllis Family)
Zone 10-11
Amazon lily has white fragrant flowers that look like
clusters of tropical daffodils. They generally appear
in winter, but can bloom several times through the
year. The leaves are attractive, evergreen and lanceshaped on long petioles. Grow as a houseplant in
winter.
White/Cr H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring - Winter
Part Shade
Part Sun
Butterfly Amaryllis
Hippeastrum papilio
Amaryllidaceae (The Amaryllis Family)
Zone 10-12
Surely one of the most remarkable and beautiful of
all hippeastrum (its true botanical name) which I
think tops all the hybrids. H. papilio has greenish
white petals dramatically marked with burgundy
stripes. A little more difficult to get to rebloom than
the hybrids, it awards patience. Grow in a sunny
location (usually in a pot) outside in summer.
Fertilize well. Allow autumn frosts to hit the foliage
then bring inside, chop off the leaves and allow to
dry out in the dark. Give light and water when a bud
or new foliage appears. Available in the fall as dry
Burgund H 8-12"
W 8-12"
Fall - Winter
Hippeastrum reticulatum
Amaryllidaceae (The Amaryllis Family)
Full - Part Sun
Sun
Variegated Amaryllis
Zone 7-9
A native of South America, this beauty can form
large clumps with unique green leaves striped with a
central white midrib. The flowers are pink with a
white central vein and white mottling running through
the petals. Or the flowers are white with pink
detailing and stripes. However you describe it this is
a beautiful hardy amaryllis for a protected location in
the garden. Mulch in winter with a pile of fallen
leaves.
Pink
H 12-24"
W 8-12"
Fall
Full - Part Sun
Sun
Cassava/Tapioca
Manihot esculenta ‘Variegata’
Euphorbiaceae (The Spurge Family)
Zone 10-12
Cassava is a tall semi-woody shrub with big
palmately compound leaves that are a foot or more
across. This variegated form has dark green leaves
with bright gold centres on red stems. A striking
garden or container specimen plant, it is generally
thought of as tropical but some reports suggest
greater hardiness. Safest in a pot and kept at a
minimum of five Celsius in winter. Cassava roots are
one of the most important tropical food crops.
Tapioca is made from the starch of the cassava root.
Yellow
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer
Sun
Botanically Intriguing (Mostly Tender) p. 15
Oxalis triangularis ssp. papilionacea 'Francis'
Purple Shamrock
Oxalidaceae (The Wood Sorrel Family)
Zone 6b-9
A beautiful perennial bulb with a bright, vivid purple
shamrock leaf. This seed variant was selected and
named after the founder, Francis. Grows to a height
of 16" with a spread of 12 to 15 inches. Great pot
plant as well as a ground cover though it needs to be
planted in protected situations if it's in the ground.
Endemic to Brazil.
Pink
H 8-12"
W 8-12"
Summer
Full - Part Shade
Part Sun
False Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis
Oxalidaceae (The Wood Sorrel Family)
Zone 7-10
A striking bulbous shamrock native to Brazil with
distinctive purple black foliage and wispy white/pink
flowers. Great in mixed containers or by itself. A
good plant to blend into the perennial border or
woodland garden but better in pots where they can
be overwintered in a cool garage or other protected
and drier location. Hardy almost to zone 6.
White/Cr H 12-24"
W 12-24"
Spring
Full - Part Shade
Part
Shade
"TomTato"
Solanum 'Ketchup 'n' Fries'
Solanaceae (The Deadly Nightshade Family)
Zone 10-12
The cutting edge of veggie grafting: hundreds of delicious, super sweet
cherry tomatoes on top and up to 4-5 pounds of yummy potatoes just
below the soil! Tomatoes and potatoes are closely related. They are
grafted by hand and grow happily together as the revolutionary
'Ketchup 'n' Fries'. Great for veggie gardens, small spaces, and large
containers. FOR MAIL ORDER: Please place a separate order for your
tomatoes/"tomtatoes". See "Shipping Notes" tab for more details.
Yellow
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Summer - Fall
Sun
Solanum lycopersicum Heirlooms & Cool Moderns
Solanaceae (The Deadly Nightshade Family)
Tomato
Zone
We carry a wide range of at least 30 different
heirloom and interesting modern tomatoes as starter
plants in four inch pots every May. They are best
grown in the hottest, sunniest spot in containers or
the garden. Rich soils are preferred for best harvest.
Each September you can also experience tomatoes
at our annual Heirloom Tomato Festival.
Yellow
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Sun
Botanically Intriguing (Mostly Tender) p. 16
Solanum lycopersicum Mighty Mato 'Sun Sugar'
Grafted Tomato
Solanaceae (The Deadly Nightshade Family)
Zone 10-12
'Sun Sugar' is hands down the most popular tomato
variety amongst Phoenix Perennials customers and
always in the top 3 in voting at our annual Heirloom
Tomato Festival tastings. It produces orange-yellow
cherry tomatoes said to be amongst the sweetest in
the world. 65-75 days. Indeterminate. Mighty Mato
grafted tomatoes are hand grafted onto super strong
tomato rootstock which provides greater disease
resistance, greater cold tolerance (so tomatoes start
growing faster in the spring), and great yield. Mighty
Mato grafted plants usually produce 2-3 times more
fruit than ungrafted plants, a difference that is
Yellow
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Summer - Fall
Sun
Solanum lycopersicum Mighty Mato 'Sweet Million'
Solanaceae (The Deadly Nightshade Family)
Grafted Tomato
Zone 10-12
'Sweet Million' offers sweet, bright red cherry
tomatoes produced in large clusters. This variety is a
favourite of Phoenix Perennials customers. Crack
and disease resistant. 65-75 days. Indeterminate.
Mighty Mato grafted tomatoes are hand grafted onto
super strong tomato rootstock which provides
greater disease resistance, greater cold tolerance
(so tomatoes start growing faster in the spring), and
great yield. Mighty Mato grafted plants usually
produce 2-3 times more fruit than ungrafted plants, a
difference that is especially large for heirloom
varieties which do not always offer high yields. FOR
Yellow
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Summer - Fall
Sun
Shrubs p. 17
4
Shrubs
Abutilon ‘Huntington Pink’
Flowering Maple
Malvaceae (The Mallow Family)
Zone 8
This excellent and vigorous flowering maple cultivar
has upright stems festooned with dangling two inch
bells of rich pink throughout summer. May be hardy
to zone 7 if grown in full-sun and protected from
winter wet in well-drained beds and with mulch. Will
blossom straight through winter in a bright window of
the house. We’ll have numerous other cultivars
available this season.
Pink
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Sun
Part
Sun
Flowering
Maple
Abutilon ‘Kentish Belle’
Malvaceae (The Mallow Family)
Zone 8
Pendant peachy orange bells held by red sepals are
produced in great profusion through from late spring
until fall. Potentially hardier than we once thought
and, with protection or in sheltered locations, may
survive winters in zone 8 areas of BC.
Orange
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Part Sun
Sun
Flowering Maple
Abutilon pictum ‘Thompsonii’
Malvaceae (The Mallow Family)
Zone 8
Masses of peach bells are set off by the yellowspotted foliage. Potentially hardier than we once
thought and, with protection or in sheltered locations,
may survive winters in zone 8 areas of BC.
Orange
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Sun
PartTree
Sun
Monkey Puzzle
Araucaria araucana
Araucariaceae (The Araucaria Family)
Zone 8-9
Hailing from a geologically ancient genus of plants
which includes the familiar houseplant the Norfolk
Island Pine, the common name of this remarkable
species was bestowed since it was thought that
climbing this tree would cause great consternation to
a monkey. Its requirement of a climate with both mild
winters and summers makes this a special tree for
our little corner of Canada.
Green
H 40' and W 10' and Summer
Loves Sun
Sun
Shrubs p. 18
Box-Leaf Azara
Azara microphylla
Salicaceae (The Willow Family)
Zone 7-9
Azara microphylla is native to Chile and southern
Argentina. It has small, shiny, dark green foliage held
on open branches on a small tree to about 15 feet. In
spring it has yellow pompom flowers that are sweetly
scented of vanilla. Useful for part shade and part sun
positions. Photo courtesy: Great Plant Picks.
Yellow
H 10-15'
W 5-8'
Spring
Part Sun
Part
Shade
Darwin's
Barberry
Berberis darwinii
Berberidaceae (The Barberry Family)
Zone 7-11
This is a dense, compact, evergreen shrub, with dark
glossy green, broadly oblong, spined leaves, and
drooping racemes of rich orange flowers, tinged red
in bud, followed by blue-black berries
Orange
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Spring
Sun
PartTree
Sun
Orange Ball
Buddleia globosa
Buddleiaceae (The Butterfly Bush Family)
Zone 7-10
One year at the VanDusen Garden Show David
Tarrant gave a talk by making a bouquet of flowers
from around the world. When he revealed a branch
of B. globosa the entire crowd released a collective
gasp of plant lust. Despite his talk it is still hard to
find. This unique butterfly bush has clusters of
perfectly spherical tangerine balls in early summer.
The leaves are rich green and nicely textured. Native
to the southern Andes. Blooms on old wood so trim
right after flowering.
Orange
H 6-10'
W 3-5'
Early Summer
Full - Part Sun
LovesBark
Sun
Winter's
Drimys winteri 'Pewter Pillar'
Winteraceae (The Winter's Bark Family)
Zone 7-10
This Chilean evergreen tree has large green leaves
sometimes with a bluish cast with silvery white
undersides and maroon new growth. It grows into a
magnificent columnar form about 20 feet tall and is
perfect as a specimen or as a hedge. Plant it where
you can look up into the foliage and see the
shimmering white undersides of the leaves blowing
in the wind.
White/Cr H 15-25'
W 8-10'
Late Winter - Early
Sun
Part Sun
Shrubs p. 19
Pinneaple Guava
Feijoa (Acca) sellowiana
Myrtaceae (The Myrtle Family)
Zone 8-10
This guava is small multi-branched scrub or small
tree, with beautiful gray green foliage. Its showy
flowers are white with a red accents. It is easily
trained as espalier, hedge or small specimen tree.
White/Cr H
W
Early Summer
Sun
Fuchsia magellanica 'Hawkshead'
Onagraceae (The Evening Primrose Family)
Hawkshead Fuchsia
Zone 7-9
This rare Fuchsia is winter hardy and is grown for its
reliable garden performance. From late spring to late
autumn, pure-white flowers with green tips dangle
from its branches. Evergreen in frost-free areas.
White/Cr H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Spring - Fall
Part Sun
Part Flower
Shade
Chilean Mitre
Mitraria coccinea
Gesneriaceae (The African Violet Family)
Zone 7
This charming but uncommon Chilean and
Argentinian shrub offers tubular firey orange flowers
and evergreen foliage on red stems for the shadier
parts of the garden. It will likely bloom in mid to late
spring and perhaps intermittently thereafter until
September.
Red
H 2-4'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Sun
Part Sun
Grasses p. 20
5
Grasses
Cortaderia selloana ‘Blue Bayou’
Dwarf Pampas Grass
Poaceae (The Grass Family)
Zone 4-10
This dwarf pampas grass has fine, arching, blue
foliage and broad, tapering, white flower plumes. The
foliage will reach five feet in height with the flowers
rising just above the leaves. This pampas grass is a
great for containers or small spaces as it will remain
a manageable size.
White/Cr H 4-6'
W 3-5'
Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves
Sun
Dwarf Pampas
Grass
Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’
Poaceae (The Grass Family)
Zone 5-10
Do you love the drama of pampas grass but fear its
immense size? Perhaps you’d like to try ‘Pumila’, a
dwarf version though I use the word “dwarf” in
relative terms. The narrow blue-green foliage
reaches about 3-5 feet in height and is topped with
dramatic, 5-6 foot tall, white, feathery plumes. Moist
to dry well-drained soil in sun or part shade. From
Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Photo courtesy of
Walters Gardens.
White/Cr H 4-6'
W 3-5'
Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves Sun
Vines p. 21
6
Vines
Eccremocarpus scaber
Chilean Glory Flower
Bignoniaceae (The Catalpa Family)
Zone 8-10
This fast-growing, evergreen, trendil climber from
Chile has firey orange or red tubular flowers
produced over a long season from spring until fall. It
has dainty, heart-shaped leaflets. It is a sparse
(rather than lush) vine that would be best grown with
other vines or into shrubs. Popular with
hummingbirds. Best in organically rich, consistently
moist but well-drained soils in full sun. May die to the
ground in a hard winter.
Red
H 6-10'
W 12-24"
Spring - Fall
Hydrangea seemannii
Hydrangaceae (The Hydrangea Family)
Full - Part Sun
Sun
Evergreen Climbing Hydrangea
Zone 8
This rare species of climbing hydrangea is from
Mexico, Central and South America. It has mid
green, rounded, thick, glossy foliage that often has
burgundy tones when young. In summer it offers
copious amounts of ivory white flowers that first
emerge as tight ivory clusters resembling duck eggs.
Water well until established, especially if planted at
the base of a tree. Smaller growing than H.
integrifolia and thus better for use on smaller trees or
walls. Increased light results in more flowers.
White/Cr H 10-15'
W 5-8'
Summer
Shade
Part Flower
Shade
Passion
Passiflora 'Jeanette'
Passifloraceae (The Passion Flower Family)
Zone 7-11
'Jeanette' is a hybrid between the hardy blue passion
flower and 'Amethyst'. It has deep mauve flowers
with a blush of white striping and coronoa filaments
with wine purple and blue colouration. Has proven
reliably hardy in zone 7. Bury the stem 6 inches deep
to improve winter hardiness. Blooms over a long
period throughout summer.
Purple
H 6-10'
W 2-3'
Summer
Loves Sun
Full - Part
Sun
Passion
Flower
Passiflora ‘Lavender Lady’
Passifloraceae (The Passion Flower Family)
Zone 9-10
A lovely lavender passion flower with reflexed petals.
Quite floriferous. Somewhat cold hardy. Bury the
stem 6 inches deep to improve winter hardiness.
Blooms over a long period throughout summer.
Purple
H 6-10'
W 2-3'
Summer
Loves Sun
Full - Part Sun
Vines p. 22
Passion Flower
Passiflora Riverside 'Betty Myles Young'
Passifloraceae (The Passion Flower Family)
Zone 8-11
'Betty Myles Young' is a vigorous, very hardy
passion flower that can be grown in containers or in
the ground. It will remain evergreen down to - 8
Celsius. The blooms are up to 12 cm in diametre and
lightly scented. The broad petals are pale to deep
lilac with white central streaking that contrast
perfectly with the maroon filaments. The fruits are
large, decorative, and ripen to a yellow orange. Bury
stems six inches deep to increase hardiness.
Blue
H 10-15'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves
Sun
Silly Cow Passion
Flower
Passiflora Riverside 'Silly Cow'
Passifloraceae (The Passion Flower Family)
Zone 8-11
'Silly Cow' is a vigorous, very hardy passion flower
that can be grown in containers or planted in the
ground. It is evergreen down to - 8 Celsius. The
blooms are up to 12 cm in diametre. The broad
petals have white to pale lilac centers and deep
purple borders that contrast with the bright blue
filaments. Rarely sets fruit. Bury stems six inches
deep to increase hardiness.
Blue
H 10-15'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves
Sun
Passion
Flower
Passiflora Riverside 'Star of Surbiton'
Passifloraceae (The Passion Flower Family)
Zone (8)9
'Star of Surbiton' is a vigorous, very hardy passion
flower that can be grown in containers or planted in
the ground. It is evergreen down to - 8 Celsius. The
blooms are up to 12 cm in diametre and lightly
scented. The broad petals are pure white and
contrast dramatically with the bright blue filaments
and pale pink centres. The fruits are large,
decorative, and ripen to a yellow orange. Bury stems
six inches deep to increase hardiness.
White/Cr H 10-15'
W 2-3'
Spring - Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves
Sun
Blue Passion
Flower
Passiflora caerulea ‘Select’
Passifloraceae (The Passion Flower Family)
Zone 8
This floriferous selection has markedly larger flowers
with darker black centres and deeper blue petals
than the form commonly in cultivation (see photo). P.
caerulea is hardy in coastal BC, especially against a
south facing wall or fence. Bury the stem four inches
deep to improve hardiness in well-drained soil that is
not too moist or too rich to promote more flowers and
less greenery. Edible, but not the most tasty, yellow
fruit are produced if pollinators visit.
Blue
H 10-15'
W 2-3'
Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves Sun
Vines p. 23
Passionflower
Passiflora edulis 'Possum Purple'
Passifloraceae (The Passion Flower Family)
Zone 9-11
This species is one of the tastiest and is commonly
grown in the tropics. 'Possum Purple' is a self-fertile
selection with exceptional flavour and mind-blowing
flowers. Grow in full sun. Plants may be hardy in
coastal BC in protected microclimates where the
stem is planted/buried 6 inches deeper than the soil
surface of the pot. Will fruit in containers that can be
protected in winter in a sun room or as a houseplant.
Purple
H 4-6'
W 2-3'
Summer
Full - Part Sun
Loves Sun