Regional Picks: Large-Leaved Perennials – Northwest

1. Fairy Wings Epimedium

Name:Epimedium wushanense

USDA hardiness zones:6 to 9

Size : Up to 2 metrical foot tall and 3 feet wide

Conditions : fond shade ; fertile , moist , well - drained soil

Fairy wing epimedium is just now becoming more widely available . Each slowly spreading lump can reach 3 foot all-encompassing in as many years . The big leaves are evergreen in Zones 7 and warmer , accomplish 2 or more feet long from base to tip . The 1 - in - blanket cream - and - yellow efflorescence are held at or above the foliage , produce a pleasing contrast . nance wing epimedium is a toughened customer for juiceless ghost with root competition . Water it every few weeks , though , and supply a generous layer of mulch to achieve the gravid sizing . watershed when cluster become congested to hasten its spreading . In colder zone , treat this plant as a deciduous species and edit it back each year in early outflow .

2. Hardy Foot Begonia

Name:Begonia pedatifida

Zones:7 to 11

size of it : Up to 18 inches marvelous and 30 inches wide

Conditions : Partial shade ; humus - rich , moist , well - drained territory

This begonia is native to the mountains of southern China and is surprisingly cold unfearing . It ’s leisurely to grow in both sun and shade , but the leaves have an almost crystalline look if planted in dappled or full shade . Pale pink heyday top the foliage mid- to late season . All blooms disappear with the first hard icing , only to emerge again with the warming Day of former spring . Keep the soil equally damp with generous mulch for the most luxurious gist . Divide dauntless fundament begonia every three years or so , and aim the thick rhizomes an inch or two under the soil when replanting , especially in stale climates .

3. ‘Spotty’ Cast-Iron Plant

Name:Aspidistra tonkinensis‘Spotty’

Size : Up to 3 feet tall and wide

stipulation : Full sun to fond wraith ; fertile , moist , well - drained grime

Once destined to lodge in in a saturnine corner in Auntie ’s parlor , many new species and selections of cast of characters - iron works are now usable from the garden of eastern Asia . ‘ spotted ’ flaunt yellowish polka dots on its leaves , point well even in abstruse shade . The minute , upward - arching leave of absence have dark-skinned purple stems , so set it near a contrasting ground cover , such as golden baby ’s tears ( Soleirolia soleirolii‘Aurea ’ , Zones 10–11 ) . ‘ Spotty ’ is surprisingly drouth and shadow tolerant , but in cool coastal domain , additional summertime water system hastens growth . One major flush of evergreen foliage can be expected each yr , so keep the biff and snail at bay while unexampled leaves appear or their grounds will hold on through the following season .

4. California Spikenard

Name:Aralia californica

Zones:8 to 10

sizing : Up to 10 feet tall and wide

Conditions : Full Lord’s Day to full refinement ; humus - plenteous , moist soil

aboriginal to break ravine in California and Oregon , this plant is among the most tropical - face natives around . California nard remains trunkless with leaves 3 or more feet long in deep shade . Deciduous , this flora has fall color that is lenient yellow , which contrast well with the red fruit produced when several plant are in close proximity . Full shade keeps the leave-taking large , aeriform , and spectacular , while brilliant light creates dense clunk likely to bloom more heavy . Divide the plant every two to three years , or farm it from seed as divisions can be slow to gain vigor .

Sean Hogan is the possessor of Cistus Design Nursery on Sauvie Island near Portland , Oregon .

Photos : # 1 , Doreen Wynja ; # 2 and # 3 , courtesy of Cistus Design Nursery ; # 4 , imaginativeness / gapphotos.com

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Regional Picks: Large-Leaved Perennials - Northeast

Regional Picks: Large-Leaved Perennials - Southeast

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