Category Archives: Collector Plants

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  Ampelopsis aconitifolia

  Posted on March 26, 2018 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Climbing plants, Collector Plants, Deciduous, drought tolerant, Foliage plants

  This rarely used deciduous vine from China is one of my favourite foliage climbers with its deeply cut bright green leaves it always makes a statement. It flowers are tiny and of no consequence but the tiny orange berries are pretty. The leaves turn yellow before shedding. I grow it on a metal tripod that […]

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  Mahonia gracilipes

  Posted on February 19, 2018 by stephenryan in berries, Collector Plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest

  This is definitely the exception to the rule when it comes to this Genus. It is summer flowering instead of autumn winter as with most others, and isn’t yellow! An extremely slow growing evergreen shrub from China that was described in 1887 but only got to Australia via me in 1998 or there about. This […]

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  Erythrina crista-galli

  Posted on January 28, 2018 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Deciduous, drought tolerant, Foliage plants, Shrubs

  The hardiest of its Genus the coral tree adds quite a touch of the exotic to any garden with its thick spine covered branches and brilliant red pea flowers during the warmer months. The trifoliate leaves are also telling in the garden, and it will grow well in full sun in any well drained site. […]

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  Euonymus cornutus

  Posted on January 28, 2018 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Collector Plants, drought tolerant, Foliage plants, Good for cutting, Shrubs

  This Chinese shrub will grow to about 2metres or so with narrow semi-evergreen leaves and a light airy framework. the leaves are bright green and willow like and those that do shed in autumn turn soft pinky-orange. It has small chocolate coloured flowers in spring that for this Genus are quite showy and then the […]

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  Chionanthus retusa

  Posted on January 3, 2018 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Collector Plants, Deciduous, Foliage plants, shade trees, Trees

  You rarely see the Chinese fringe tree (or its American counterpart) planted in gardens and it is due to the fact that their are quite difficult to propagate so are rarely offered or asked for! This is a true shame as it is a hardy and stunning late spring flowering small tree ideal for a […]

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  Canna ‘The Red Centre’

  Posted on December 8, 2017 by stephenryan in Bog plants, Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, Perennials

  This Australian bred Canna hybrid is possibly the best red one in existence with its huge rounded bright red flowers with a very fine gold edge to the petals. It has bright green paddle like leaves and grows only to about 1 to 1.5 metres tall. It was bred by Mrs. Reis in Queensland now […]

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  Helwingia chinensis

  Posted on November 26, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, shade tolerant, Shrubs, Woodlanders

  this plant isn’t going to set the world on fire but I think it is an interesting and worthy addition to the garden for the following reasons. Most importantly I imported it!!!! But seriously it is an interesting evergreen shrub to 2 to 3metres with handsome evergreen leaves on a shrub with a tiered branch […]

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  Sanguinaria canadensis

  Posted on September 8, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Perennials, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  The Canadian Blood Root is a stunning if ephemeral woodlander from “you guessed it” as well as the USA. The single poppy flowers last only a few days but what a joy they are. The green scalloped leaves are charming and will keep you entertained for months afterward and as it doesn’t take up all […]

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  Viburnum Henryi

  Posted on August 18, 2017 by stephenryan in berries, Collector Plants, evergreen, Foliage plants, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest

  This Genus has something for everyone and this Asian evergreen shrub is a bit of an unsung hero of the group. It has narrow evergreen leaves on an elegant open framed shrub to 3or 4 metres. Don’t then use it to screen your weird behaviour from the neighbours! The panicles of tiny flowers are produced […]

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  Rubus lineatus

  Posted on August 17, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest

  This blackberry relative from Asia must have one of the most beautiful leaves imaginable! The five leaflets are all pleated in a texturally stunning way and even this doesn’t prepare you for the silvery reverse. It is a suckering evergreen shrub to 2.5metres tall that likes a moist soil and some shade from the hottest […]

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