2012 Spring Sales Catalog & Plant Owner's Manual

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Aspidistra
(Cast Iron Plant)
We have been collecting aspidistras
for many years and now have
over 100 different clones, including
many new species to science.
We are testing and building up
numbers, so expect more new
selections each season (more available
online). There are few plants
more tolerant of deer and deep
shade in the woodland garden, and
dark corners inside homes, than
aspidistra. A great pastime for truly
boring people is to watch for the
unusual soil-borne flowers.
A. Aspidistra attenuata BSWJ377
(Attenuate Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to Shade n 40” tall
Zone: 9–10, 8 with protection n Taiwan
This Crug Farm collection comes from
Tungpu, Taiwan, where it forms dense
colonies in the well-drained forest soil.
The dark evergreen leaves, highlighted
with a few small yellow spots, reach
40” tall x 3” wide. This is certainly the
tallest cast iron plant we have grown to
date, but one that you will certainly grow
for the showy flowers. The stunning 2”
creamy yellow flowers with peach
centers magically appear en masse
during early March atop the soil surface.
They resemble plates of sauteed starfish
among the base of the leaves...fascinating.
At 8 degrees F, the old foliage burned
off, but the plants regrew nicely in spring.
Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Catalog #7543 $16.00
61177 62591
B. Aspidistra elatior ‘Asahi’
(Morning Sun Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to Shade n 30” tall
Zone: 7–10 n Origin: China
“Asahi” means “morning sun”...a descriptive
name for this dramatic cast iron
plant that always stops visitors in their
tracks. The green leaves, to 30” long x 5”
wide, are set off when the upper third of
the leaves turns a dramatic white as the
season progresses. The color holds all
winter, making a dramatic winter feature
in the shade garden. For a dry deepshade
area, there isn’t a better choice
for a tough-as-nails perennial! Note:
Aspidistra ‘Asahi’ will not display its color
pattern if planted in a small container.
Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Catalog #2538 $20.00
60927
C. Aspidistra elatior ‘Okame’
(Okame Striped Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to Shade n 30” tall
Zone: 7b–10 n Origin: China
(syn: A. elatior ‘Variegata’) Aspidistra
‘Okame’ is one of the most asked about
cast iron plants in our garden, but we
haven’t had enough to offer for
years...until now. The 30” tall, dark green
upright leaves are highlighted with dramatic
vertical white stripes...think a milk
truck spill. In the deep South, this slowly
expanding clumper makes a nice bold
evergreen accent, even in dark shade.
Toward the northern end of the range, it
may suffer from winter burn, which is
easily relieved by a spring haircut. The
bizarre flowers resembling a dwarf
pepperoni pizza occur at the leaf base in
very early spring.
Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Catalog #2314 $20.00
61239
D. Aspidistra elatior ‘Spek-tacular’
(Spek-tacular Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to Shade n 30” tall
Zone: 7b–10 n Origin: China
NEW!
24 MONDAY–FRIDAY 8AM–5PM 919.772.4794 919.662.0370 FAX OFFICE@PLANTDELIGHTS.COM
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Aspidistra elatior ‘Spek-tacular’
is a stunning new selection of
cast iron plant, purchased at a flower
market in Sichuan, China by our friend,
Linda Guy and first introduced
commercially in 2012 by Plant Delights.
Aspidistra ‘Spek-tacular’ makes an
attractive clump of 40” long dark green
leaves with arching tips. Each evergreen
leaf is adorned with the most abundant
yellow spotting of any clone of Aspidistra
elatior that we’ve ever seen. The evergreen
30” tall clumps look great all
season, adding a wonderful bold texture
to the woodland garden.
Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Catalog #8593 $20.00
62452 62593
E. Aspidistra fimbriata ‘Tie Dye’
(Tie Die Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to Shade n 30” tall
Zone: 9–10, 8 with protection n China
(syn: Aspidistra sp. Hainan #3) This
attractive cast iron plant hails from
2800’ elevation in a Hainan, China
dacrydium/Fagaceae forest, and represents
a newly named species. The 30”
long leaves are composed of a 1’ long
petiole topped with an 18” long leaf
blade. The medium green leaf blade,
which arches at the tip, is heavily
adorned with large creamy yellow
spots...a splendid way to lighten a dark
area. For us, this has survived 9 degrees F
in the ground but the foliage is regularly
burned to the ground in winter. In
climates with winters below 15 degrees F,
we recommend it as a houseplant or as a
gift to friends in warmer climates.
Thanks to plantsman Nick Turland for
sharing this with us.
Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Catalog #7678 $16.00
62093
F. Aspidistra minutiflora
‘Spangled Ribbons’ (Spangled Ribbons
Perennial Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to Shade n 32” tall
Zone: 8–10, guessing n Origin: China
This Don Jacobs introduction is a
selection of the Chinese Aspidistra
minutiflora. Aspidistra minutiflora
‘Spangled Ribbons’ forms a tight clump
of very upright 32” long, light green linear
leaves, heavily speckled yellow. In areas
where the winters are too cold, it makes
a delightful house plant.
Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Catalog #8429 $16.00
62444
G. Aster ageratoides ‘Ezo
Murasaki’ (Ezo Murasaki Aster)
Sun n 24” tall n Zone: 4–8, at least
Origin: Japan
Aster ‘Ezo Murasaki’ is a Japanese
selection of the wide-ranging Asian