Comstock, Ferre and Co.

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Pierre's Picks Sunny Border Gold - 2007

Pierre's Picks - 'Sunny Border Gold', The Connoisseur Collection.

Pierre Bennerup, noted botanist and world traveler, is the owner of Comstock Ferre & Co. Many of his adventures are to far off reaches of the globe to search for the latest and newest species in horticulture. He has visited every continent except Antarctica in search of unusual plants to bring back to New England. Each year he offers his premier plants as the 'Sunny Border Gold' collection.

'Sunny Border Gold - 2005' is described below. All plants are available at Comstock, Ferre in season.

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	Campanula ‘Mystic Bells’ – Bellflower We love Campanula ‘Kent Belle’ but then we found C. ‘Sarastro’ which is even better. Now we have C. ‘Mystic Bells’ which is shorter and more prolifically flowering than ‘Sarastro’. Where will this all end? ‘Mystic Bells’ has huge, cloche-like bells on 15-18” stems. The color is a glossy, violet-blue that reflects the sun. It sends up its first flower stalks in the spring and will continue with more after each set is finished. It will be a more or less constant show in your garden throughout the season Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade Cold Hardiness: Zones 5-8 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Rich, humus-laden soil with good water retention

	Coreopsis ‘Heaven’s Gate’ PPAF – Tickseed A cross between Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ PPAF (which is marginally hardy here) and Coreopsis ‘Sweet Dreams’ PP1270 (which is hardy north to Canada), ‘Heaven’s Gate’ will reliably give you a full season of gorgeous bloom and survive your winter for an encore year after year. The 2” daisy-like flowers are ringed blush-pink with a rose-red eye zone around a gold button center. Your plant will be buried in these flowers from late spring well into fall. No, it doesn’t produce ticks! Propagation is prohibited Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zone 5–9 Spacing: 18-24" apart Growth Rate: Vigorous but not invasive Water and Soil Needs: Moist soil

	Gaillardia ‘Fanfare’ PPAF – Blanket Flower From English plantsman Richard Read, comes this very unique form of Gaillardia with ray florets that are tubular in shape, terminating in a 3, 4 or 5 petaloid ending, like little trumpets. The flowers are part red and end with yellow at the tips. The plant is more rounded and compact than other Gaillardias, reaching just 12” tall. Removing spent flowers will encourage rebloom, which it will do from June to October! Propagation is prohibited Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 12" apart Growth Rate: Fast growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Average garden soil

	Geranium yoshinoi ‘Confetti’ – Cranesbill Cream-colored, confetti-like splashes cover the leaves of this new introduction from Japan. This effect is especially notable on new foliage although it will fade somewhat as the leaves mature. ‘Confetti’ grows only 6-8” tall and produces delicate pink flowers from late spring well into summer. It will provide you with an attractive groundcover tolerant of full sun or quite a bit of shade. Try using it to overplant an area of spring bulbs Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 6–9 Spacing: 18-24" apart Growth Rate: Medium growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Average soil but doesn't like to dry out.

	Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ – Helen's Flower Although native to the American Midwest and plains states, Heleniums are more popular in Europe than in the US. We want to change that. Developed by Kees Sahin of the Netherlands, ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ blooms early and long. Its 2” yellow and bronze bicolor daisies flower continuously throughout the whole summer on strong, 30-36” stems, needing no staking. It’s also a stunning and long-lived cut flower Sun Exposure: Full sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 18-24" apart Growth Rate: Medium growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Average soil but watering will extend flowering

	Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ PPAF – Coral Bells Like the black, volcanic glass for which it is named, ‘Obsidian’ has foliage that is as dark and glossy as any plant we grow or have ever seen. It will shine like a gemstone in your garden! In late spring and summer it sends up 15-20” sprays of frothy white bells that contrast ever so dramatically with the black leaves below it. Try combining it in front of Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ and Hosta ‘Great Expectations’ in afternoon shade. What a knockout combination! Propagation is prohibited Sun Exposure: Partial shade/morning sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 5–9 Spacing: 12-16" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Medium pH, easy on the watering. Add lime to sour soils

	Heuchera ‘Prince’ – Coral Bells Dense, ruffled “buns” of glossy purple foliage will erupt into myriads of ivory bells borne on 12” bright scarlet stems from June to August. Its neat and tidy habit sets it apart from the plethora of overly leafy new purple-leaf Heuchera introductions. Will work well to define the front of your border from your lawn or garden path Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 5–9 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Medium pH and good drainage. Add lime to sour soils

	Heuchera ‘Saturn’ – Coral Bells The beauty of this distinctively different Heuchera is the way it accentuates and enhances everything planted around it. Its leaves are nearly round, with a base of silver, laced with purple veining, combining to make a uniform mound of exquisite foliage. Its delicate 12” stems will erupt with pale pink bells in late spring through summer. Its overall appearance will serve you well to cool down and “sanitize” overly hot and clashing colors in your border Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 5-9 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Medium pH and good drainage; add lime to sour soils in spring

	Heuchera ‘Venus’ – Coral Bells Uniform mounds of silver leaves veined deep purple will counterbalance your overly precocious flower combinations. Admit it! Some part of your garden needs the cool contrast of silver as a foil to offset your more exuberant combinations. Doing so will dramatically increase the visual impact of your garden! And, yes, ‘Venus’ flowers a lovely, soft pink, providing an additional accent to your overall floral drama Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 5-9 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water Soil Needs: Medium pH and good drainage; add lime to sour soils

	Heucherella ‘Sunspot’ PPAF – Foamy Bells “Don’t stare at the sun”, your mother warned. You may need to heed her advice here. This is an eye stunner. Each brilliant yellow leaf sports a blood red Maltese cross at its center. Worse yet, you’ll risk blindness by staring at its 12” day-glow pink spikes, which occur throughout the entire growing season. Does your garden have the “green blahs” too much of the time? Here’s your solution! Warning: Wear sunglasses! Propagation is prohibited Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade Cold Hardiness: Zone 5–9 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water Needs: Good drainage; add lime to sour soils

	Hosta ‘Grand Marquee’ PPAF – Plantain Lilly This sport of Hosta tokudama ‘Mrs. Carder’ has nearly round, glaucous, cupped and quilted leaves (at maturity) with middle striping of creamy white in spring, turning pure white by summer. Although beautiful now, it will take a year or more to reach its peak appearance. ‘Grand Marquee’ is one of the first Hostas to bloom in the spring with foot high stems bearing very pale lavender, almost white florets. Combines beautifully with Heuchera ‘Obsidian’. Propagation is prohibited Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade Cold Hardiness: Zones 3–9 Spacing: 20-44" apart Growth Rate: Frustratingly slow but worth the wait Water Needs: Rich, humus-laden soil

	Lavandula x intermedia ‘Arabian Nights’ – Lavandin This cross between French and English lavender has long and bold leaves of silver-gray. It can get big in well-drained, alkaline soil - four feet tall in leaf with two-foot flower stems above that. It has fragrant, dark violet flowers throughout June and July! Try growing ‘Arabian Nights’ as a hedge plant. Trim it up however you like Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 6–9 Spacing: 24-30" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water Needs: Sharp drainage; lime sour soils heavily in spring.

	Papaver orientale ‘Brooklyn’ – Oriental Poppy Oriental poppies are not actually from the orient but from eastern Turkey, Iraq, Iran and the various “stans”, Turkestan, Usbekestan, etc. This representative of the so-called New York series is not even hybridized in New York but in the Netherlands. Its flower will certainly do justice to its namesake, large, crinkled, raspberry-pink petals with jet black basal spots on 30” stalks in June. Stunning, even by Brooklyn standards Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 4-9 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water Needs: Neutral pH and good drainage

	Papaver orientale ‘Central Park’ – Oriental Poppy This new hybrid makes a striking presentation when in bloom as the velvety maroon flowers are displayed in almost symmetrical rows on the plant. Growing 30” tall, the flowers will bloom in July and may re-bloom if the plant is cut back. It has excellent mildew resistance. Few other plants offer such intense color throughout the summer. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds by the score! Sun Exposure: Full Shade Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 18" apart Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast Water Needs: Average garden soil

	Papaver orientale ‘Manhattan’ – Oriental Poppy The last and most dramatic of the spring ephemerals, oriental poppies bloom magnificently in late May into June and then go dormant like the earlier spring bulbs. This example of the spanking new, New York series has blooms of crinkly, rose-red with black blotches at the base of each petal on 28-32” stems. Overplant your poppies with some leafy perennial or temperennial to cover the soon-to-disappear poppy foliage Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 4–8 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Neutral pH and good drainage

	Papaver orientale ‘Queens’ – Oriental Poppy Oriental poppies are not native to the orient but to Turkey and the various “Stans”, Turkestan, Uzbekistan, etc. Poppy ‘Queens’ is a member of the New York series, which is not from New York but hybridized in the Netherlands. However, to see is to believe! ‘Queens’ has huge pink flowers, which are fringed delicate pink, and very ruffled, petticoat style, borne on 26-30” rigid stems from late May into June. Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 4-9 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Neutral pH and good drainage

	Papaver orientale ‘Soho’ – Oriental Poppy This giant red cultivar has crinkled and glossy petals with black splotches at each base. An outstanding introduction of the New York series of poppies, it threatens to make all previous red poppy cultivars obsolete! The sturdy 30” stems make perfect bouquets if you burn the stem tips to prevent the white poppy sap from bleeding out. We suggest that you overplant poppies with some leafy perennial or temperennial because poppies go summer dormant and re-emerge in the fall Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zone 4–8 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Neutral pH and good drainage

	Papaver orientale ‘Tiffany’ – Oriental Poppy ‘Tiffany’ has delicate, ruffled pink flowers with even paler pink, frilled edges on 24” stems from late May into June. Poppies are one of the last and most dramatic of the spring ephemerals, going dormant after flowering and not re-emerging until fall. You should consider overplanting your poppies with some leafy perennial or temperennial to fill the gap they’ll leave after they flower Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 4-9 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Neutral pH and good drainage

	Persicaria amplexicaule ‘Jo and Guido’s Form’ – Mountain Fleece Flower Guido’s namesake is a statuesque, 5’ plant with brash plumes of pink flowers from July to September. If you need a bold center of focus in your summer garden, this cultivar is a great candidate. It will form a big clump without being invasive like some of its despicably behaved cousins, the knotweeds. It also makes an excellent cut flower Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 4-8 Spacing: Space 3' from any neighbor Growth Rate: Moderate to fast growth Water and Soil Needs: Soil with high organic content and good water retention

	Phlox arendsii ‘Ping Pong’Arends’ – Hybrid Phlox The great German hybridizer, Georg Arends, is best known for his many Astilbe hybrids but he also hybridized Phlox. Phlox arendsii hybrids are crosses between Phlox paniculata (July to Sept. blooming) and Phlox divaricata (May to June blooming). ‘Ping Pong’ blooms delicate pink with a rose–red eye from June to August thus filling the gap between its earlier and later parents. Its height, 18-22”, is also halfway in the middle. Very mildew resistant like Phlox divaricata Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 15-18" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Average garden soil of moderate pH (6.0 to 7.0)

	Phlox ‘Charles Ricardo’ – Woodland Phlox A new color for woodland phlox, it has deep lavender flowers from May to June. As with other woodland phlox it blooms best in partial sun and grows 15” tall. Plants spread slowly by creeping rhizomes but will soon form a groundcover mat with gorgeous spring flowers. Isn’t it time for you to join the “Stamp Out Pachysandra Society”? Plants can be cut back after flowering to encourage additional growth Sun Exposure: Partial Shade Cold Hardiness: Zones 5-8 Spacing: 12" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Well drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline

	Phlox ‘Pink Attraction’ – Summer Phlox There is nothing ‘fatal’ about this attraction, nor the attention this phlox commands. The alluring charm of this plant is the abundance of candy-pink flowers held on relatively short, 18-20” stems from June to August. A great new American plant perfectly suited for the American garden but from Germany by way of the Netherlands Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 15-18" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Average garden soil of moderate pH (6.0 to 7.0)

	Polemonium reptans ‘Stairway to Heaven’ PPAF – Jacob's Ladder From Bill Cullina of the New England Wild Flower Society, this Polemonium tolerates heat, drought, cold and humidity from northern Georgia to Canada. It forms an eye-riveting mound of variegated foliage all season. In May and June it sends up a profusion of 12” short stems bearing true blue flowers. Propagation is prohibited Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Significant Shade Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Moost any eastern US soil

	Polygonatum x hybridum ‘Striatum’ – Solomon's Seal This cultivar is similar to the more widely available P. odoratum ‘Variegatum’ but has white edges and streaks (rather than only white margins) and the leaves are darker green, crinkly and glossy, unlike those of its aforementioned cousin. It only grows to about 15”, about two-thirds the height of P. odoratum ‘Variegatum’, and is very slow to colonize. With your patience, it will become a sensational plant in you woodland. No pests or problems; just sheer beauty Sun Exposure: Part Sun to Significant Shade Cold Hardiness: Not fully tested; safely zone 5-8 Spacing: 12-15" apart Growth Rate: Agonizingly slow growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Rich, humus-laden, woodland soil

	Primula auricula ‘Double Take’ PPAF – Alpine Primrose This lemon-custard yellow primrose has a meringue white eye on a 6-8”stem over flour-dusted, silver-gray foliage. On each stem you may have single flowers, double flowers, hose-in-hose flowers or curious figure eight shaped flowers. Yes, all on one stem! They’re best suited to an alpine or scree garden in full sun and, unlike other primroses, prefer somewhat alkaline soil so remember to add some lime each year if your soil is sour. Propagation is prohibited. Sun Exposure: Half a Day's Sun or More Cold Hardiness: Zones 2-7 Spacing: 8-12" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Well-drained soil of somewhat alkaline pH (7.0 to 7.5)

	Primula polyantha ‘You and Me White’ – “Hose in Hose” Primrose Collectors have been looking for “hose in hose” primroses for centuries, the ‘Holy Grail’ for primrose aficionados. What are they? Simply plants bearing a flower within a flower, but not in the typical ‘pom-pom’ sense. And, like the four leaf clover, you will find luck if you get one! This rare find has ‘hose in hose’ white flowers on 6” stems in April-May Sun Exposure: Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 4–8 Spacing: 8-10" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Prefers rich, slightly acidic, moist soil.

	Primula polyantha ‘You and Me Yellow’ – “Hose in Hose” Primrose A yellow flower within a yellow flower! Finding one of these is luckier than finding a four leaf clover and much more difficult. This primrose won‘t come true from seed so we must propagate it by vegetative means, by division or cloning. You need a lucky primrose path in your shade garden. Here’s your chance Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade Cold Hardiness: Zones 5–9 Spacing: 10-12" apart Growth Rate: Moderate growth rate Water and Soil Needs: Prefers slightly acidic, moist soil