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.

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.

This rugged South African is sun, wind and drought tolerant and absolutely hardy in the PNW.  One of the most admired plants in our border for its profuse display of large yellow to orange daisies on low stems.  Good drainage.

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.

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 nice smaller selection from Great Dixter which distinguishes itself from the pack by a shorter habit and flower stems held rather laterally so the blaze of red-orange flowers are displayed on the horizontal making it perfect for viewing from above.  Plus it carries that Dixter mystique.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lily Jean is a demure little thing with small double flowers randomly flecked with bits of red, pink and white.  Quickly increrasing to form a dense little tussock with scads of flowers.  This like ample moisture when growing and very good drainage in winter when dormant.  Rock garden plant.  Mulch if real cold.

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.

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.

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.

A refined selection with rich bright red flowers and named in 1993 by Cornwall gardener John Hogan for Lana de Savary.  We can't fault the name as a cursory google search reveals that the socialite Lana de Savary is not only red-haired but apparently both bright and ungodly rich.  We have more cool plants than her though.

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.

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.

A selelction by the Blooms at Bressingham Gardens in England.  A dense grower and very floriferous with nice flowers of a reddish orange.  This does not get as tall as 'Lucifer' for example and is good intermediate height as far as Crocosmia goes.

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.

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,.

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.

There is nothing gloomy about Glumicalyx because it has chocolate scented flowers and we all know chocolate is a natural antidepressant.  Tough South Afican   which makes a low clump of evergreen leaves which sprout 10" stems of white bells which open to orange-red.

We believe Rhett, this Crocosmia is no lady.  Really, are you looking for some refined creature when you buy a Crocosmia?  I think not - it's hussies, hotties, tramps and trollops that get's it done in the garden.  This has big heads of bright red flowers more flared than Lucifer.

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.

A seedling selection named and introduced by us in recognition of the large flowers which when compared to other clones in terms of size, is not only beyond the pale ones but all others as well. Flowers of the palest pink as if infused by the cold sun hanging low in the Icelandic sky.  These will be ecstatic in rich, moist soil in a sunny position.  Used to be Schizostylis.

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.

This is a treasure among Pokers.  A small statured species with big time bloom from South Africa introduced to the NW by Hedgerows Nursery in OR.  This doesn't know the word quit and after a main heavy spring bloom keeps throwing up flowers spikes throughout the season.

An impressive Fairy Wand Flower or Angel's Fishing Rod. This is a good species with a narrow presentation and nice flowers of good rich pink held 4'-5' tall on wiry stems. This is not a big robust clumper but tends towards a narrower verticality quite in keeping with modern design trends.