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EXOTIC, SPECTACULAR AND COOL PLANTS AROUND THE GREENHOUSE
Ok, so most of us have our gardens pretty well under control this summer, but for many gardeners there always seems more to do; moving, grooming , collecting and adding. Today, let's consider the adding part, with magnificent tender perennials and others that just say "fabulous".
 First on our tender perennial list is cestrum nocturnum, night blooming jasmine. Hailing from the West Indies with distinct greenish white flowers, and sometimes called queen of the night, Dama de Noche, Dạ lư hươngor or Dok Ratree, its hypnotically sweet fragrance will bring you great pleasure throughout summer and early fall. A great plant for the deck and definitely a must have!
In the same family is the Cestrum Elegans-Smithii. This Mexican native has prolific arrays of elongated trumpet, rosy-red flowers and is a haven for our NW hummingbirds and butterflies. Well suited for deck containers, it blooms all summer and ends its season with satiny cherry berries. Another Minter's favorite.
Do you love tropical gardens and huge trumpet like  flowers? Well our Brugmansias or Angel Trumpets are for you! This adult plant from the nightshade family (remember the tomato is in the same family) should be placed away from children and animals that may chew, since many consider them poisonous if eaten. Yet the delight of having huge, almost prehistoric blooms, and in the case of Charles Grimaldi, luxurious fragrance, your senses just might be fooled, and you may find yourself in paradise! Select from Pinks, bright whites, creams and yellows.
Ruellia brittoniana or Mexican Petunia, has fabulous vibrant violet-blue summertime flowers. It's fast growing and blooms all summer long with great foliage. Native to Mexico, it places extremely well in containers or borders and attracts butterflies too. At 1-3 feet tall, it loves full to part sun and will add that perfect touch to your garden.
Speaking of blue, Gentiana Semtemfida is an  alpine perennial native to the Caucasus, producing insanely blue, small upward bell like flowers in late spring and summer, this hardy species loves slightly acid soil and sunny locations. Low laying and clustered, it is an ideal alpine garden or rock garden plant. It will definitely be a show off!
Many other plants we grow and delight in are scattered  throughout the  nursery. Right now, Cocosmia 'Lucifer' is in full bloom; lusciously red and hummingbird friendly. Another fun plant is Solanum Laciniatum or "Kangaroo Apple", a native perennial shrub found in Australia and Tasmania, that produces deep Mauve colored flowers on a sturdy stem. Thanks to our staff, we have lots of very cool plants around the greenhouse! |
