A perennial (usually anyway) thistle relative from South Africa which makes a multicrowned clump of softly spiny leaves which by themselves merit nothing more than a good hosing of Roundup but the large purplish flowers are the swan emerging from the ugly duckling.

A purported G. papilio hybrid, our mama plant when in bloom with its 5 foot stems of red-mauve flowers sporting dark eye patches, frequently caused plant geeks to start speaking in tongues and offer creative enticements in exchange for a wee bit.  We have had to say "No." until now.

Angel's Fishing Rod.  As the specific epithet infers, this does have grand flowers!  Widely flared big medium pink flowers dangle in mad abandon on 4'-5 stems.  If actually used by angels for fishing, then it is the rod Hemingway would use in his Marlin quest.  This assumes he got his wings which seems unlikely.

A lovely cultivar introduced to this area by the enigmatic Pete Ray of Vashon and no relation to our local Kingston.  Tastefully narrow deciduous leaves with medium small flower heads of a good clear mid-blue.  Hardy and a good performer in the garden.  Sun and deer resistant.

This exceptionally large flowered selection is going to be a star in any sunny garden where it's unrivaled flower size leaves most other Crocosmias wishing they hadn't been mired in ethical dilemmas and just gone ahead and done the testosterone injections.

Possible hybrid between Rhodohypoxis and Hypoxis collected on at Hebron Farm in South Africa although some feel this is simply a form of Rhodohypoxis parvula var. albiflora. We're going with the hybrid until someone tells us otherwise mainly because Rhodohypoxis have loose morals with no desire to practice social distancing. Small cream flowers with red centers.

These are such good little quasi-bulbous plants from South Africa.  Likes a full sun rock gardens with good drainage.  Nice summer bloomers and good increasers making dense clumps.  Probably deer resistant.

This is one coming out of the garden of Matt Mattus and has garnered the name 'Matt's White'.  This may be a name functioning more as a placeholder for origin than a proper clonal name.  It is a good doer and basically obscures the foliage when in flower so be forewarned if you like leaves with your flowers.

Big pink flowers of substance on this densely clumping South African bulb.  Hardy outside here given good drainage in winter (and mulch if a bad winter) and a choice candidate for the rock garden provided it gets ample water when in growth.  Easy to grow in pots and overwinter in the garage.

Little bulby plant from the Drakensberg Mts in South Africa.  This is a good rock garden subject in that it likes good drainage in the winter.  When growing, keep it watered reasonably and it will bloom its tail off with loads of small reddish flowers.  Mulch if bitter cold in winter.

Big cheerful yellow flowers which open widely on stems to nearly 30" tall are the reason for growing this selection.  This can help make some of the late season fiery colors seem even more intense by comparison or if asked to carry the floral load on its own, it is more than up to the task,.

Near red selection of this cheerful little plant.  Rhodohypoxis fill a pot with flowers like few other plants their size and 'Albrighton' is no exception.  Ideally suited for container culture, these are easily overwintered in a cool frost-free spot indoors when they are dormant.  If growing outside, give them good drainage as prolonged winter wet can be a terminal annoyance.  Fortunately in our Port Townsend rain shadow, not a big consideration.

Grassy little clumping rhizomatous bulb from South Africa which is easily grown here provided it has good drainage and moisture while in growth and a bit of mulch in winter. Dawn is a broad-petaled fairly large flowered selection in which the white flowers are just touched with pink.

Fantastic little plant from South Africa which used to be Aster natalensis but is now in the genus Felicia.  We got this from a Scottish alpine nursery in Scotland and know of a rock gardener in northern Norway who raves about it.  Tight clumps with blue flowers with a yellow button in June-July.  Very hardy.  First introduction to the US.

Flower power is the smallest of packages, this little but mighty rhizomatous yet bulbous Iris family member from South Africa brings a degree of satisfaction far beyond it's size when its short grassy foliage becomes completely obscured for weeks in late spring by rose red flowers literally cheek to cheek.  Good increaser, hardy in zones 7-8.

Presumed hybrid between Rhodohypoxis and Hypoxis from a collection on the Hebron Farm property in South Africa.  Some prefer to see this as a form of Rhodohypoxis parvula var. albiflora but given the red color, we lean towards the hybrid.  Great little rock garden plant provided it doesn't get too dry.

Small but rapidly clumping bulb from South Africa with dense grassy leaves and small white flowers produced with some say reckless abandon during summer.  Named for Ruth McConnell who was one of the main growers and hybridizers of the genus in the UK.  This has been easy in the garden here.

A floriferous hybrid Rhodohypoxis from South Africa which white flowers nicely flushed in pink.  This will easily cover itself in flowers in June-July increasing quickly making a dense clump which can be divided.  Your friends will expect you to be gracious unless you come up with a plausible excuse.

AA seedling selection named by us for the extra large flowers which when compared to others, is not only beyond the pale ones but all others as well. Signaling the end of summer, the September-October flowers of the palest pink are similar to the cultivar 'Pallida' but bigger so of course it has to be better.

This UK selection has good ripe tomato red flowers arrayed nicely on the stem and held out horizonatally to optimize viewing. Very accommodating those Brits. The flowers are nicely ranked with some overlap which creates a showy floral synergistic effect. This is a compact grower to just a couple feet tall.

One of the better of the clear yellow hybrids with nicely presented flowers that while of good size are not so overly large that they bow down the stems.  We've come to like the clean yellows as they bring something refreshingly uncomplicated to the garden bed and the fewer issues in bed, the better.

A great rock garden plant for our area where it thrives on the sun and good drainage and rewards the neglectful gardener with unearned but copious amounts of showy white flowers.  If we get bitter cold in the winter, this South African wouldn't mind a wee blanky of mulch.

This is an Alan Bloom selection from Bressingham Gardens which he introduced in 1970.  'Spitfire' is a feisty little plant making a dense clump of thin leaves with flared open fiery red-orange flowers held closely together in which the many presents as one to great effect.  A smaller mounding plant than some of its kin.

Everything good about this yellow hybrid from David Tristan in the UK.  Densely clumping and quite respectful of it's space without the imperialistic proclivities of some it's Borg-like relatives.  Flowers a rich clear yellow with a good open flared aspect and rounded petals of distinct substance.

A super hybrid out of the UK from crossing the two related genera, Hypoxis and Rhodohypoxis.  These genera occur in South Africa and are small bulbous members of the Iris family.  While just a few inches tall, these are showy beyond the implied limits of their size and can cover themselves for weeks in large red flowers.  Easy to grow and a fast increaser, this will become a favorite.  Cold climates can be overwintered inside where cool.

A very fine cultivar with large flowers held appealingly over an especially long period. The wide open mid-orange flowers have a darker orange central stripe running down each petal which tends to grab the eye and hold it.  It is always fun to watch folks cruise the Crocosmia at a steady pace only to be brought up short by Zambesi.

We got tired of folks asking for Jenny after seeing her in our border so being saavy entrepeneurs we potted some up.  This is a dandy Crocosmia of smaller habit with tasty flowers of butterscotch infused yellow.  Not a piercing yellow but of a gentle hue.  Jenny has class after all.

The oldest cultivated species (I think) dating back to the mid-1800's and due to it's very wide distribution as a woodland plant throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa such as the Congo and on down to South Africa.  Crocosmia as woodland shade plants muddles my preconceptions but expands my planting areas.  Nice pendant yellow-orange flowers.

A very welcome addition to our rock garden thanks to our generous taxonomist, Cody Hinchliff.  This native to the mountains of South Africa forms an architectural mound to 3' or so with many stems clad in short, stiff and persistent green leaves.  Terminal clusters of small cheery and sweetly scented yellow flowers.

Caterpillar Grass.  This is a cool evergreen grass (semi-evergreen in our winters) from South Africa.  The low grassy 15" mounds of leaves won't turn your head but the flowers will.  Wiry stems bear seedheads looking like a Caterpillar on a stick.  Seriously.   It's seriously fun.