Aristolochia californica

These have been painfully slow to mature but I finally have a few big enough to sell. 

Little pinkish brown jugs about 1½ inches across are produced very profusely on the leafless stems in early spring. The leaves appear soon after and are soft green and heart-shaped. A vigorous but not overwhelming climber. Here it grows well in sun or shade and is completely hardy. Some early flowers may be frosted so a sheltered spot among shrubs is best. 

A brilliant plant – I love it.

sold out for now

Aesculus californica

This is a very large spreading shrub (or low spreading tree) and needs a lot of space - the flowers are fragrant, creamy or rosy white and held in solid ‘candles’. The foliage is neat and attractive and the bark is chalky white (especially good in winter after the leaves fall). 

Given an open sunny well-drained site this will be one of the most magnificent woody plants we can grow. Hardly ever offered and I have no idea why it isn't better known. Young plants grown from conkers collected in California. 
Specimen size plants - £45 - collection only

Calycanthus

Calycanthus floridus

To me – someone who really enjoys black flowers, this is a real gem. Some other forms seem to have more red in the flowers, but in this one the beautifully sculpted flowers are very close to real black. 

The foliage is a nice fresh green and aromatic too. All in all a very appealing small deciduous shrub. Easy in sun or part shade on any retentive soil.

£18

Calycanthus occidentalis

A lovely lush medium sized shrub from California with fresh green aromatic leaves and good sized rich pink flowers over a long period.

I have no real idea why, with the popularity of C.sinensis and its hybrids, this one isn't a lot better known

Easy and hardy in the garden.
Specimen size plants - £30 - collection only