Gardening and Rare Plants Expo

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New, Rare and Unusual plant list

This Gardening and Rare plants Expo is a unique opportunity for gardeners of all ages and abilities to enjoy a whole weekend discovering new, rare and unusual plants for their garden. Some of the highlights (from the Specialist growers) to see and purchase during the weekend include:

• New Nerines a selection of 60 colours! These tough bulbs are an asset to any garden. Australian Bulb Company.
• Water Lotus jaw droppingly beautiful blooms. Available both as cut flowers and water plants. Both easy to grow garden varieties and collectables available. BlueLotusWaterGardens.
• Charles Winch Tropical Water Lily Collection. The pick of the famous Australian breeders best Lily’s. A stunning collection. BlueLotusWaterGardens.
• Black Cohosh a tough to find herb from North America. It has a long history of medicinal uses from rheumatism to malaria. But perhaps its most celebrated exploit is in controlling the infamous "hot flashes" of menopause. Cornucopia Seeds and Plants.
• Acer palmatium dissectum seiryu The only upright Dissectum (cutleaf) Japanese Maple. Hardy, vigorous and dainty light green foliage turning brilliant Autumn tones of red and orange. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Moon & Stars Watermelon a legendary heirloom watermelon. A very
  unusual variety with a dark green rind that is speckled with bright yellow spots ranging from pin-hole to 50c piece in size, giving the impression of the night sky. The small specks resembling stars and the larger ones like moons. The leaves of the vine are a light green color and also speckled with yellow. Large oval fruit with sweet bright red flesh, 7-14kg. Spectacular appearance. Good long keeper. Harvest after 95 days. Cornucopia Seeds and Plants.
• Chilacayote the perennial squash. An heirloom variety with huge fruit and a large yield. Cornucopia Seeds and Plants.
• Nymphaea spp. or Water Lily - a selection of NEW, RARE and UNUSUAL species which are hardy to the Australian environment. Oz WaterGardens.
• Nymphaea 'Tina' - A stunning and prolific tropical Water Lily. The petals are a delicate royal purple-blue with a rich yellow-gold centre. Just magic in the water. Oz WaterGardens.
• Dahlia spp. - a variety of new rare and unusual species of this classically beautiful plant. Includes Ebony foliage and Gallery Pot Dahlias. Boulter’s Nursery.
• Succulents - a huge variety of this prolific plant. James Lucas Succulents.
• Hedychium coronarium or Butterfly Ginger - Large growing ginger with pale green leaves .White highly scented flowers. Also a range of Ginger Lilies. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Nepenthes spp., Pitcher plant or Condom plant - these unusual carnivorous species are very UNUSUAL. Triffid Park
• More than 60 varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes including Marianna’s Peace, Arkansas Traveller, Ned Kelly, Thai Pink, Ball and Hillbilly. Cornucopia Seeds and Plants.
• Miniature Cactus and Succulents carry your garden in your key ring with these innovative garden products which are irresistible. Doradi Creations.
• Belgium Red Clivia - a RARE variety with bright orange almost red flowers. John's Clivia.
• Chinese Clivia - RARE in Australia these are dwarf plants with lovely broad foliage. Clivia is highly valued in China and in Japan, as such they do a lot of innovative breeding. Clivia growing is a hobby for life. John's Cliva.
• Dendrobium spp. or Native Orchids - a range of epiphytic and terrestrial orchids. Fabulous showy flowers a wide range of NEW, RARE and UNUSUAL species. B&T Orchids and Ferns & Mt Beenak Orchids.
• Phaelaenopsis spp. a varied selection of NEW, RARE and UNSUSUAL species. Evergreen, epiphytic and monopodial orchids available. Mt Beenak Orchids, B&T Ferns and Orchids.
• Cymbidium spp. - epiphytic, lithophtic and terrestrial orchids with a massive variety of fabulous flowers. NEW, RARE and UNSUSUAL species. B&T Ferns and Orchids and Mt Beenak Orchids.
• Cacti and Succulents – huge range of varieties. Including miniature cacti and succulents and cute potting ideas to go with them. Doradi Creations.
• Galanthus spp. or Snowdrop (daffodil) a very RARE and hard to find bulb which is famed for its delicate flowers. Tree Top Flowers, Bryan H Tonkin
• Urginea maritima the RARE and UNUSUAL Sea Squill. Tree Top Flowers.
• Haemanthus spp. or Powder Brush - a South African species which is famed for its very RARE and UNUSUAL flowers. Australian Bulb Co.
• Muscari spp. or Grape Hyacinth - both the common blue variety as well as the RARE alba or white variety. Tesselaar.
• Sarcococca confuse - RARE evergreen shrub to 1.5 metres . Dark green glossy foliage. Small white , highly scented flowers followed by numerous black shiny fruits. Excellent for dry shade. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Aibika an ornamental, flowering edible. Cornucopia Seeds and Plants.
• Strawberry Spinach This relatively unknown and unusual herb was grown by German Monks over 400 years ago and rediscovered in a monastery in Europe.
  The triangular, toothed leaves are thinner than spinach, very nutritious, and high in vitamins C and A. Tender shoots are used raw in salads or cooked like spinach. At each leaf axil there is an abundance of small sweet, strawberry-like fruits which some say resemble mulberries or raspberries. The fruits are juicy and tasty
  when mature. Flowering in summer, its easy to grow, it enjoys full sun and should be watered as needed, its a very ornamental plant. Cornucopia Seeds and Plants
• Pachysandra terminalis and Pachysandra terminalis variegata - Superb evergreen ground cover for underplanting trees and shrubs. Forms a suckering mat 10-15 c.m.high.White brush-like flowers in early spring. The variegata has leaves variegated creamy-white. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Mahonia spp.- a selection of this RARE bushy evergreen shrub with fabulous fragrant pendulous flowers. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Daphne spp.- a range of RARE and UNUSUAL fragrant Daphne, though they may be slow to grow they are an asset to the garden. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Fagus spp. or Green Purple and Gold Beech - difficult to find these species create fabulous garden structure. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Cercis canadensis or Forest Pansy - very RARE species which is hard to strike, and extremely sort after. Small deciduous tree with stunning purple heart-shaped foliage. Showy pink-mauve flowers on bare stems in spring. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Ashwagandha this rare herb is commonly called Indian Ginseng and is highly esteemed as an Indian medicinal plant. The dried root is used in the Ayurvedic system as a general or strengthening tonic. Principally used as a remedy for sexual exhaustion, weakened immune system and chronic fatigue syndrome and has a reputation for being an aphrodisiac and preventing male sterility. It grows 1m x 1m and is frost tolerant. Cornucopia Seeds and Plants.
• Dichroa versicolor or Evergreen Hydrangea - large leaved evergreen shrub related to, and similar in appearance to Hydrangea macrophylla. Large blue or pink flower heads (depends on pH) made up of numerous small star shaped flowers. Dark purple fruits. Great new evergreen for shade to half sun. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Liriodendrom spp. or Tulip Tree - difficult to find in nurseries and extremely rewarding to grow. See a full scale version of this magnificent tree's thriving in Tesselaar Gardens. Yamina Rare Plants.
• Tulipa spp. - NEW Releases - Atilla Graffiti, Hermitage, Gerrit Van der Valk, Cynarda Blue, Holland Beauty and Zorro. Tesselaar Bulbs.
• Iris spp. - NEW Releases for 2009. Pearcedale Iris & Tesselaar Bulbs.
• Rhoeo spp. or Moses in the cradle - Dwarf, Variegated and Standard - ideal for dry gardens, pots and edging. Mt Olinda Wholesale.
• Lavender spp. - NEW, RARE and UNUSUAL species cultivated for their magnificent scent and practical garden application.. Warratina Lavender Farm.
• Lirriope spp.- UNUSUAL in the garden and very easy to grow. Mt Olinda Wholesale.
• Masdevallia spp. - Cool growing orchids which thrive in Victorian conditions. Seedlings have been hybridised and grown at Mt Beenak Orchids who are renown for their RARE and UNUSUAL species with NEW hybrids each year.
• Clematis florida Sieboldii a NEW and very beautiful flower with pure white petals which age to green and a passionfruit purple dark stamen. A very beautiful plant. Alameda Homestead.
• Clematis florida Plena a NEW and UNUSUAL species with fully double green-cream petals which age to a white-green. Very fresh and pretty in the garden.
• Post Office Farm Picotee Hellebore - Seed from the best picotee forms. Usually a white background with the sepals delicately veined and rimmed with pink or red. Some will also have a central flush of colour on the inside of the flower and dark red nectarines. These are superb plants and still quite RARE. Post Office Farm.
• Helleborus orientalis subsp. Abschasicus - This is the rare pink to red flowered sub-species of true H. orientalis. Stock plants are grown from wild collected seed from Georgia. Post Office Farm
• Hellebore Double Pink - hand pollinated seedlings from selected double forms. The flower colours of the parent plants range from pale to medium pink. Most of these are derived from the iconic Australian double 'Mrs Betty Ranicar'. These are good vigorous plants. Post Office Farm
• Wollemia Nobilis, Wollemi Pine - An amazing tree, dating back to the dinosaur era. Discovered in a deep ravine in the NSW Blue Mountains in 1994. The foliage is dark green, with large elongated leaves, similar to the Cephalotaxus and many of the Podocarpus. Develops a chocolate, bubbly trunk. Will grow in sun or shade. Normally a tall tree but can be pruned as a shrub. Can be used as a patio plant. Van Berkel Farms
• Salvia gregii 'Lara' - There are more than 900 species of Salvia. Salvia greggii is a popular, evergreen shrub growing in the rocky soils of Texas and Mexico. It is normally a red flowered variety but there are numerous other colors from cream to purple. Di’s Delightful Plants
• Salvia x jamensis 'Los Lirios' - (pronounced hamensis) is naturally occurring hybrid between Salvia microphylla and Salvia greggi that was discovered by James Compton, Martyn Rix and John d'Arcy near the Mexican town of Jame. They collected seed from thirty different forms and eventually released seven named cultivars. It is an hardy shrub, tolerant of moderate frosts, full sun and dry periods. Di's Delightful Plants.
• Salvia 'Silke's Dream' - Salvia microphylla (syn: Salvia grahami) is from Mexico and Arizona with masses of delicate pink flowers from spring through to early winter. Salvia 'Silke's Dream' was discovered by Art Petly of Texas. It has the general appearance of Salvia microphylla but with deep orange red flowers that are held well above the foliage. It makes a stunning display in late autumn and is an easy to grow plant reaching about 90 cm in height. Di's Delightful Plants.
• Zygopetalum Alliance Hybrids - Exotic scents and amazing colours these orchids are simply fabulous. 'Zygo's' grow in conditions similar to Cymbidiums. They have well shaped blooms and produce a number of flower spikes. Mt Beenak Orchids.
• Sarcochilus Hybrids - Mt Beenak Orchids have a RARE and UNUSUAL range of these natives which they have bred themselves. Clive and Agi Halls are devoted to their orchids and these hybrids are a testament to this devotion. A very special range. Mt Beenak Orchids.
• Promenaea xanthina x (Crawshyana x stapelioides) - Summer flowering miniature orchids that are very special in the garden. These beauties flower when all the other orchids are finished. They are cool growing and RARE. Mt Beenak Orchids.
• Lavandula spp. - Lavender species include English Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead', 'Hidcote', 'Hidcote Pink', Lavandula stoechas 'Merte', 'Wine' and 'Pippa White'. Warratina Lavender Farm.
• Dierama pulcherrimum or Fairies Fishing Rod/Wand, Harebells or Wand Flowers - Hybrid varieties available. Of all the plants in a summer garden Dierama pulcherrimum really stands out. The character of this plant really shines through during the flowering season but the foliage forms an attractive garden feature throughout the year. Australian Bulb Co.
• Dicentra spectabilis or Bleeding Heart - A graceful garden favourite. A range of colours available. Australian Bulb Co.
• Gloriosa superba or Glory Lily - A fabulous plant which is often difficult to find. RARE. Australian Bulb Co.
• Cussonia paniculata or Mountain Cabbage Tree - An evergreen famed for its UNUSUAL shape, this species is fabulous in the garden, or in bonsai form. Australian Bulb Co.
• Lilium nepalense or Nepal Lily - a very hard to find UNUSUAL species of lilium. Flowers are lime green bells with a deep maroon centre. Unusual smell. Australian Bulb Co.
• Gentiana bellidifolia - Native to New Zealand this perennial bulb is RARE and hard to find. Both White and Blue varieties available. Peonies Australia.
• Citrus spp. - Assorted citrus species available. Australian Bulb Co.
• Luculia grandiflora - Endemic to the Himalayas where it grows in forests, it has proven difficult for the average gardener. Because of this reason it is quite RARE, but don't despair there are tricks which will encourage it to flourish. The flowers have a delicious vanilla scent which makes them very worthwhile. Australian Bulb Co.
• Bomarea caldasii or Climbing Alstroemeria - RARE species of climber which produces fabulous orange to red pendulous blooms. Australian Bulb Co.
• Trillium ludlowiscianum or Wake Robin - A delicate RARE species. Australian Bulb Co., Gentiana Nursery
• Agapetes serpens - Fabulous evergreen with scarlet red pendulous flowers. RARE. Australian Bulb Co.
• Limonium peregrinum or Sea Lavender or Marsh Rosemary - Endemic to South Africa. RARE. Beautiful blue flowers. Australian Bulb Co.
• Alpinia mutica or Small Shell Ginger or Orchid Ginger & Alpinia zerumbet (variegated)- Stunning white to pink flowers congregate on fabulous foliage. Australian Bulb Co.
• Alpinia caerulea or Native Ginger - UNUSUAL plant that appreciates boggy ground. Wonderful green foliage and blue fruits. Peonies Australia.
• Costus barbatus or Spiral Ginger - UNUSUAL stunning red and yellow flowers. Australian Bulb Co..
• Elettaria cardamomum or Cardamon - UNUSUAL ginger plant. Australian Bulb Co.
• Brugmansia spp. or Angels Trumpet - A variety of colours for these wonderful tropical style flowers. Australian Bulb Company
• Arisaema erubescens, A. tortuosum, A. triphyllum or Jack in the Pulpit or Cobra Lily - UNUSUAL variety of this easy to grow garden great. Australian Bulb Co.
• Eupatorium bartleianum - Herbaceous perennial with beautiful flowers and is easy to grow. Australian Bulb Co.
• Sandersonia aurantiaca or Chinese Lanterns or Christmas Bells - Cute and vibrant flowers are abundant on this UNUSUAL climbing plant. Ideal companion planted with the Glory Lily as they are both climbers. Australian Bulb Co.
• Epimedium x hybrida – Also known as Dog’s Tooth Violets, Fairies Wings, Horny Goatweed, Bishop’s Hat or Barrenwort. These delicate herbaceous beauties are garden hardy and an ideal ground cover. Craig has an excellent selection with over 40 varieties. Gentiana Nursery.
• Stipa gigantea – or Giant Feather Grass. Becoming increasingly popular in old fashioned mixed borders and modern gardens alike. A truly hardy plant which adds something special to your garden. Gentiana Nursery.
• Austrostipa stipoides – A perennial grass native to southern NSW. This tufted grass will survive harsh conditions with ease and look good while doing it. An excellent ornamental grass. Gentiana Nursery.
• Euphorbia x hybrida – A terrific selection of hard to find Euphorbia. These plants are ideal in dry gardens and their bracts remain showy for weeks. Gentiana Nursery.
• Potted Colour including Zinnia, Portulaca, Petunia, Pansy, Dianthus and Vinca. Wokkatarnee
• Callistimon x hybrida – our native Bottlebrush, a hardy garden plant. Wokkatarnee.
• Nandinas – Japanese Sacred Bamboo, or Heavenly Bamboo. Wokkatarnee.
• Callibrachoa – ideal for hanging baskets. Wokkatarnee.
• Diascia – with a reputation for its free flowering and easy care this is a practical plant for the garden. Wokkatarnee
• Cussonia paniculata – or Mountain Cabbage Tree, an evergreen focal point for the garden. Devon Tubestock
• Clianthus puniceus – Lobster Claw, Parrots Beak. Endemic to New Zealand this is a hardy species with unusual flowers. Devon Tubestock
• Scilla x hybrida – Autumn Squill. Devon Tubestock
• Dichorisandra thyrisflora – Blue Ginger, a great semi shade plant. Devon Tubestock
• Costus barbatus – Red Ginger. Easy care with long lasting flowers. Devon Tubestock.
• ‘Otto luyken’ – (Prunus laurocerasus) English Laurel, a lush evergreen good for hedging or garden structure. Devon Tubestock
• Solandra maxima – Golden Chalice Vine, a fast growing vine with huge chalice shaped flowers. Devon Tubestock.
• Citrus x hybrida – Container Lemon trees including ‘Myer’, ‘Lisborn’, ‘Eureka’. Devon Tubestock
• Hydrangea x hybrida – a selection of these huge flowering easy care shrubs. Devon Tubestock
• Spirea ‘Goldflame’ – An easy to grow shrub which flowers effortlessly. Pink flowers with gorgeous gold foliage. Devon Tubestock.
• Gentiana x hybrida – A real true blue flower which is hard to find. Devon Tubestock.
• Dionaea muscipula or Venus Fly Trap. UNUSUAL Who doesn’t remember having one of these fun plants as a kid? If you can’t remember you better get one as an adult and I’m sure it will still be as much fun as when you were a kid! Triffid Park
• Sarracenia spp. or American Pitcher plant. Tall stalks with waiting mouths ready to devour passing insects. The perfect BBQ plant! Triffid Park
• Nepenthes spp. or Hanging Pitcher plant. A real talking point in the garden. The ‘pitchers’ hang over the side of the pot ready to fill their bellies with insects. Triffid Park.
• Drosera spp. or Sundew. A difficult one to describe in words, a carnivorous plant you should come along and see! The fly paper of the plant world. Triffid Park.
• Pinguicula spp. or Butterwort. A plant that looks good, flowers and catches insects! Triffid Park.
• Cephalotus follicularis or the Albany Pitcher plant. This is a carnivorous plant that looks like it is from an alien planet. A fun plant for kids and adults. Triffid Park.
• Utricularia spp. or Bladderwort – a rather unappealing name for quite an appealing plant. Growing in fresh water or boggy soil they grow the most beautiful flowers which are like a cross between a snap dragon and an orchid. Triffid Park.
• Heliamphora spp. or Sun Pitcher plant. Pert, upright foliage in brilliant green with gorgeous red highlights. Another carnivorous beauty. Triffid Park.
• Pleione formosanum or Pleione Orchids. Cute orchids endemic to the Himalayas. Good outside in cool climates. C&M Drewitt
• Eucomis spp. or Pineapple Lilies. Drought hardy bulbs with stunning, tall flowers. C&M Drewitt.
• Nerines spp. Including RARE species and old fashioned favourites. Perfect for hot, sunny locations. C&M Drewitt
• Tigridia spp. Or Jockey’s Cap. Bright, vibrant colours of this hard to find yet hardy bulb. C&M Drewitt.
• Ixia thomasiae. A NEW release from Shirley and Jane. Beautiful soft lilac flowers. Bryan H Tonkin
• Colchium autumnale. A NEW release bulb. Soft purple blooms with a white star and butter yellow stamen. Bryan H Tonkin
• Crocus aureus. Golden yellow flowers. Just beautiful. Bryan H Tonkin
• Fritillaria uva vulptis muted tones of purple and gold on a nodding head. UNUSUAL, RARE and a NEW release. Bryan H Tonkin
• Lachenalia orchidoides. Commonly termed ‘Soldier Boys’ this is a far cry from the garish yellow ones you grew up with. The blooms begin with a purple tip and open to green. The main part of the flower is white. UNUSUAL, RARE and NEW. Bryan H Tonkin
• Narcissus asturiensiss there are daffodils and there are daffodils. This NEW form has a huge trumpet and nods happily on its stem. Bryan H Tonkin

(c) Tesselaar - gardening at its best

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