Mail Order Catalog Fall 2010 - Cistus Nursery

Habranthus martinezii 'Mini Cherry' rain lily
Shared with us by plantswoman extraordinaire, Linda Guy, this oh-so-vigorous rain lily, originally collected in
Mexico, quickly produces 18” clumps of narrow, chive-like foliage and dark-stemmed, cheery pink flowers from
spring through autumn, seemingly after every watering or, indeed, rain. One of the best we’ve found so far for a
sunny place in the garden, stonewall or container. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.
$14.00
$12.00
47
Amaryllidaceae
* Haemanthus humilis ssp. hirsutus
Our collection years ago from the eastern Drakensburgs of South Africa growing in the grasses with many other
scrumptious plants at about 9,000 ft. Opposite leaves covered with fine hairs emerge from a bulb that can reach
6" or more. White, rounded flowers appear in spring and summer. Bright light and at least some summer water is
a must for happy plants. The bulbs alone are attractive enough that they are often lifted in pots to be grown
almost as bonsai. Strangely, we have not planted any of ours outside, though their collection location suggests
frost hardiness to at least upper USDA zone 8. Excellent pot specimen.
Amaryllidaceae
Halimium x pauanum
Upright, evergreen shrub, to 6 x 4 ft, with gray-green foliage and, in May and June, abundant, brilliant yellow
flowers, larger than most species and lasting for several weeks. Performs best in the sun, planted in mineral soil
with good drainage. Drought tolerant once established. This cross between H. halimifolium and H. lasianthum is
among the hardiest to frost: USDA zone 8 in Mediterranean conditions.
$12.00
Cistaceae
Haworthia angustifolia var. liliputana
This South African member of a very large genus is one of the tiniest. A childhood plant -- that is, having been
in our/Sean's collection since some time in the early 70s-- that has rosettes of little teeny weeny, pointed leaves,
each about the size of a nickel, growing fairly quickly to form 5-6 “ clumps in a few years. A lover of either
winter or summer moisture but tolerant of drought any time. The perfect plant for a windowsill or for a miniature
container garden -- perhaps in a teeny tiny condo. Good drainage is a must in full light to dappled shade except
in the hottest climates. A rock garden plant in USDA zone 9 or above.
$12.00
Asphodelaceae
Hechtia texensis 'Big Red' texas false agave
A new Cistus introduction. This burgundy-tinted-if-not-downright-burgundy clone was found in the Big Bend
region of Texas on a lovely hillside of this endemic terrestrial bromeliad. Though it is said these bromeliads are
not carnivorous, we suspect that, with their spiny leaves, they catch large herbivores, including humans, for long
term ingestion. Not so dangerous as a plot plant in a well-drained, sunny site or, of course, as a container
specimen. Each rosette to about 18” with flower spikes to 3 ft or more bearing clusters of coppery orange
flowers in spring and sometimes throughout the summer. This might very well be the most frost hardy hectia,
certainly to 10F, bottom of USDA zone 8, if dry, and possibly lower.
$18.00
Bromeliaceae
Helleborus x hybridus - Cistus white strain
Large, clean white flowers, mostly unspotted, with wide overlapping "petals" in broad scalloped or pointed starry
shapes. The best from a group in our north garden that shine out from an otherwise leafless area in late winter.
These lovely creatures begin flowering as early as December! For part sun to shade in humus rich soil with
average summer water. Frost hardy to USDA zone 5.
$24.00
Ranunculaceae
Spring 2010 Mail Order Catalog (* = new to mail order list)