78 Great Northern Hwy, Midland, WA, 6056               Ph: (08) 9250 3682               Shop Hours:   10am   >>   6pm

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SILVER LEAVED

Postage : Seeds only $4 / Plants $20

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  • Echium
    • wildpretii   CAG01911
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A magnificent and highly desirable monocarp. Globe like rosettes of slender, tapering, silver haired leaves eventually produce a fat towering spire composed of millions of small, rich rose flowers.

      A true xerophyte that adapts perfectly to our hot dry summers and then keels over instantly after chance summer rain or just the return of autumn humidity if still too warm.

      From high altitude in the Canary Islands receiving most of its moisture from passing clouds to which it's physiology is highly adapted. Growable in cooler climates, were it won't adapt itself so highly, with infrequent water in very well drained soil where intense sunlight will be preferred and some frost tolerated. As with most monocarps only very young plants establish well, if at all.

      Unlikely to be offered again having conceded defeat after many attempts.

  • Epilobium
    • canum subsp. canum   CAG02255

      (syn. Zauschneria californica)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A soft, grey, sub-shrub from the South West United States, where, as here, it is exceptional for flowering during the heat and drought of summer and autumn. When tubular, scarlet flowers adorn the plant profusely and are much loved by hummingbirds, or honey-eaters in our case.

      Good drainage is preferred, though heavy soils may be tolerated briefly. An occasional drink over summer will encourage flowering but is not necessary, too much and you will permanently prevent flowering and life. Probably a strictly west cost plant, it may be worth trying in the eastern states with impeccable drainage, full exposure and no irrigation, though I suspect success would be only temporary.

      Cut back to ground level during winter when new growth is seen at the base otherwise it tends to become untidy by flowering time.

      Given bare soil seedlings can appear and transplant readily. Seedlings may differ from their parents with leaves that can be silver to sage green and with flowers varying in their depth of colour. These variations can be seen in the nursery and all are lovely, in time separate clones may be selected based on arbitrary and distinct qualities.

  • Eriogonum
    • arborescens   CAG02925

      (Santa Cruz Island buckwheat)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A dome of fine silvery grey rosettes bearing flattish heads of palest pink flowers that darken to burnt sienna and last until stripped by winter rain. From the Channel Islands off California and revelling in coastal conditions and hot dry summers.

      Offers great potential for avant-garde designs with earth toned pottery or paving, or brightly coloured glass forms and background walls for more modernity.

      For any well drained soil though the leaner the better. Tolerant of some irrigation but less so with increasing temps.

      Questionable in eastern states and definitely not for the tropics.

  • Eumorphia
  • Gazania
    • ‘Lemon Soda’   CAG00252
      Gazania ‘Lemon Soda’
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      An exceptional groundcover, the silver foliage flowing over hot, bare soil and amply furnished with 8cm wide, soft lemon, fully double, daisy-like flowers.
      Not to be confused with your everyday road verge Gazania, although Lemon Soda is equally as tough, this is a much more beautiful plant a must for every sunny garden and being fully double cannot self seed.

      Trim off spent flowers occasionally.


      Introduced to us via a keen gardener from Zimbabwe, who brought her favourite plants with her upon immigrating to Perth. We are ever grateful.

  • Glaucium
  • Hebe
  • Helianthemum
    • ‘Belgravia Rose’   CAG00812
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      An evergreen, perennial ground cover, forming mats of silvery leaves. Clusters of single, deep pink, rose-like flowers are borne in profusion on short, slender stems throughout the warmer months. In early spring, when new shoots are seen, cut back last years growth to the base. Needs well drained, alkaline soil. Excellent in hanging baskets or draped over rocks.

  • Kalanchoe
    • pumila   CAG02703
      Kalanchoe pumila
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A delicate looking Madagascan plant, often nurtured to its detriment. It is in reality quite hardy, tolerant of heat and frost and preferring to dry out completely between infrequent watering. The trailing stems bear scalloped, rosy pink leaves, covered in a silvery white powder which reflects intense heat and light and is easily removed by handling or heavy handed watering. In late winter small clusters of rosy pink flowers, each with four reflexed petals, are borne on slender stems and perfectly compliment the foliage for a unique and beguiling effect.

      Its cultural preferences and trailing habit make it arguably the most suitable plant for hanging baskets in a mediterranean climate, though it is at equally at home in pots or in the garden if you are lucky enough to have very well drained soil. A delightful foil around the base of larger succulents or even roses and far more heat and drought tolerant than the oft used ground covering Sedum varieties (which are in reality alpines).

      If it has one failing it is in being quite brittle but this is of little concern as each leaf will happily grow into a new plant.

  • Lavandula
    • pinnata   CAG02853
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A most heat and drought loving member of a heat and drought loving race. A dome like shrub with feather shaped, unaromatic, silver leaves and short spikes of clear lavender flowers on long, fine stems throughout the warmer months.
      Very distinct and perhaps more visually intriguing than types found in cooler gardens.

      From the Canary Islands and at its best in exposed, gutless, barren, preferably alkaline, soil. It would be very lovely on a limestone cliff where it should self sow, otherwise anywhere properly hot, dry and well drained. Expect leggy growth and a short life span in regions with high summer humidity or well watered, overly rich, gardens. Sensitive to heavy frost.

      An occasional trim to remove spent flowers should be all the input required. If you find it needs pruning (you've created a sumo with over indulgence), wait until vigorous basal growth can be seen.

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