Mail Order Catalog Fall 2010 - Cistus Nursery

* Bomarea x Alstroemeria
A bit of a botanical anomaly, this so far nameless cross, done by both Calvor Palmateer and Martin Grantham,
has produced upright perennials with blue-green leaves and tubular flowers exhibiting shades of pink, orange,
and even a little mauve. They have been non-seed producing clumpers in the garden and reliable for several years
now, happy with bright light and a bit of summer water. Frost hardy to the bottom of USDA zone 8.
$14.00
23
Alstroemeriaceae
Brahea armata mexican blue hesper palm
The leaves are chalky, dusty blue on this most stunning Mexican palm, slow growing, to 20 ft in a long time. Sun
to part shade and lean soil that promotes very, very good drainage for best winter hardiness. Drought tolerant but
faster growing with some summer moisture. Roots should be disturbed as little as possible when planting. Easy
in USDA zone 9; frost hardy with protection in zone 8 or in pots.
$18.00
Arecaceae
Brahea brandegeei san josé palm
The San José palm. From mountains of southern Baja California and across the water in northwestern Mexico.
Slow growing to 30 ft or more with a thatched trunk and 10ft crown. The fronds are semi-circular and the
deepest blue-gray, greener above. Surprisingly frost hardy for its mild habitat, these plants have withstood
temperatures in the mid to upper teens F, though briefly, in areas of high summer heat and well drained soil. Our
plant in the ground is still very young and we doubt its permanent hardiness in western Oregon except along the
immediate coast. We do find it, however, to be a fabulous pot specimen worth long periods of staring. Frost
hardy in mid to upper USDA zone 8.
$18.00
Arecaceae
Brahea sp. - super blue/silver
A clumping creature, to 10 ft tall, looking much like Brahea decumbens but with larger leaves and a more
extended trunk. These are a mid-elevation collection from central Mexico at the edges of thorn scrub where it
meets oak country. Dappled shade to full sun and generous summer fertilizing with water to speed its slow
growth. We know it makes a beautiful container specimen but don't yet know its potential frost hardiness. So we
can only guess at 20F, the bottom of USDA zone 9.
$15.00
Arecaceae
Buddleja x pikei 'Hever Castle'
Another delicious hybrid with many fine attributes; one being that it appears to be sterile. Others include a small
texture with narrow, dusty green, evergreen leaves and the prettiest lavender-blue flowers, fragrant and in great
profusion from spring until frost. A shrub to 5-6 ft tall, one of the best behaved at the buddleja party, having
originated at Hever Castle in Kent, England. Sun to dappled shade with reasonable water. Frost hardy to USDA
zone 7. Also known as B. x pikei 'Hever.'
$11.00
Scrophulariaceae
Butia capitata [South Carolina Shell Station] pindo palm
With our travels far and wide around the world to find ever newer plants, exotic collection sites can hardly get
better than this. On a road trip to interior South Carolina, having spotted eight lovely pindo palms that had
withstood rigorous winters and all the harsh conditions a mini-strip mall can provide, we brought home seeds in
several large Slurpee containers. The palms, a pretty silver-blue, were otherwise typical. They should grow to
about 15 ft producing lovely arched pinnate leaves that curl upon extension. Bright sun, good drainage, and
overhead protection at 12 to 15F, lower to mid USDA zone 8.
$15.00
Arecaceae
Spring 2010 Mail Order Catalog (* = new to mail order list)