Specialty Growers
PRICES AND BUSINESS HOURS
Our plants are available in various sizes. Prices are as follows, or as marked in catalog text
3.5" pot Perennial ...... $3.00 each
Flat of 3.5” Perennials (18 per flat, mix and match, save $9.00)...... $45.00/flat
4.5" TERRApot Perennial...... $5.00 or as marked
1 gallon Standard Perennial...... $7.50 - $8.50
1 gallon Premium Perennial...... $10.00 - $12.50
1.5 or 2 gallon Perennial...... $8.50 - $15.00
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) (page18)………………………………………………. $10.00 - $12.50
Ferns (page 11-12)………………………………………………………………… $8.50 - $10.00
Ornamental Grasses (pages 14-17)……………………………………………. $8.50 - $15.00
Helleborus (page 17)……………………………………………………………… $12.50 - $15.00
Hostas priced separately by variety (pages 19-22)
Peonies (pages 26-27)…………………………………………………………… $12.50 - $25.00
Tree Peonies (page 27)...... $25.00 1 year old
$35.00 2 year old
Intersectional (ITOH) Peonies (page 27)………………………………………. $65 & $75
Herbs - 3.5” pot (pages 37-38) …………………………………………………… $2.50 each
Flat of 3.5” Herbs (18 plants per flat, mix and match, save $7.00)...... $38.00/flat
Annuals (packs) - 3 or 4 plants per pack (pages 39-40)...... $2.50/pack
Annuals (pots) - 3.5”, 4” or 6” pot (pages 40-42) ……………………………… $3.00 – $5.00
Vegetables - 3 or 4 plants per pack (pages 43-46)...... $2.50/pack
Woodland Wildflowers – 4.5” pot (page 47-48)……………………………….. $5.00 each
or as marked
Native Plants – various pot sizes………………………………………………….. as marked
(complete list on page 49, and listed alphabetically throughout the catalog)
OPENING DAY – Friday April 15
BUSINESS HOURS:
Specialty Growers
PRICES AND BUSINESS HOURS
April 15 – June 30
Mon – Fri, 9AM – 6PM
Sat, 9AM – 5PM
Sun, 10AM – 4PM
July 1 – Oct 2
Mon – Sat, 9AM – 5PM
Sun, 10AM – 4PM
Oct 3 – Oct 31
Please call for appointment
Specialty Growers
PRICES AND BUSINESS HOURS
Dear Gardening Friends,
Welcome to our 2016 Catalog of perennials, hostas, grasses, herbs, wildflowers, annuals, and vegetables. We hope that you’ll find something fun for your garden!
Opening day at the nursery is Friday April 15, 2016. Business hours as follows:
April 15 – June 30
Mon - Fri, 9AM – 6PM
Sat, 9AM – 5PM
Sun, 10AM – 4PM
July 1 – Oct 2
Mon - Sat, 9AM – 5PM
Sun, 10AM – 4PM
What’s New at Specialty Growers?
We have added a lot of new plants for 2016! Shade gardeners will be thrilled with the new Helleborus selections. Hellebores always sell fast, even without flowers, so choose yours early! Carex (sedge)now rivals Japanese Forest Grass in popularity as a “shade grass”, and following the great success of last year’s bright yellow Carex ‘Everillo’, we’re adding ‘Everoro’ with its glossy, strongly variegated gold and green arching foliage. We’re trying Astilbe ‘Mighty Chocolate Cherry’, a new Astilbe in the “Mighty” series that has dark chocolate foliage in spring, followed by cherry-red plumes in July. Another jumbo for the shade is Brunnera ‘Sea Heart’, which may rival ‘Alexander’s Great’ in size. It must be a year for super-sizing – check out the Japanese Painted Fern called ‘Godzilla’ and Ligularia ‘King Kong’.
In sunny gardens, we were impressed with the Li’l Bang® Coreopsis varieties last year, so for 2016 we have added two more from this group. They are non-stop blooming machines with a neat dwarf habit and excellent disease resistance. It is a challenge to get daylilies to rebloom in the short Michigan summers, and we haven’t been very impressed with non-yellow varieties that claim to be rebloomers. This year we are going out on a limb and offering Hemerocallis ‘Passionate Returns’ and ‘Red Hot Returns’ – rose-pink and red, respectively. Since these varieties are new for us too, we’ll be planting some in our own daylily field to monitor their performance. We have been quietly selling the native Monarda bradburiana for many years; it differs from other beebalms in being shorter, much earlier to bloom, and having glossy foliage. Proven Winners is promoting the Leading Lady series of Monarda, hybrids of M. bradburiana lineage that show even better garden characteristics that the parents.
Our Peony Garden never fails to impress, and customers often choose varieties based on what they see in bloom in the garden. Here are a couple of varieties that you won’t find there (yet!) that are worth looking into because of their unique colors. ‘Coral Sunset’ is a semi-double flower of deep orangey-coral that changes to apricot and finally to cream-yellow as it matures. ‘Purple Spider’ is a good name for this fuchsia-purple double with spiky, spider-like petaloids in the center.
On the next page, you’ll find a list of over 100 perennials that we have added for 2016!
Catalog and Website
Our catalog is now in print and on our website, www.specialtygrowers.net. You’ll find links for Perennials, Grasses, Hostas, Herbs, Annuals, Vegetables, Wildflowers, and Native Plants. Our website offers great gardening advice and answers to frequently asked questions. Please note that we are not a mail-order nursery; plants must be purchased at the nursery, but you may contact us at any time if you wish to place an order for pickup.
Sign up for our Email Newsletter
Each week, from April through September, you’ll receive information about new plants, problem-solving perennials, and plants that are looking exceptional that week, plus notices of sales, specials, events and Brighton Farmer’s Market information. Sign up from the website at www.specialtygrowers.net, or just drop us a line at if you’d like to be added to our list.
Specialty Growers Open Houses
Mark your calendars for May 28th, our annual Spring Open House, and July 23rd, our famous Daylily Dig. At our Open Houses, we’ll treat you to a wonderful garden shopping experience. We’ll have guest speakers, artists displaying and selling garden wares, and of course, refreshments. Check the Events page of our website frequently; we’ll post information as our Open House plans develop.
Specialty Growers
New in our Catalog for 2016
Indicated by ► in catalog text
Perennials
Acanthus hungaricus ‘White Lips’
Achillea ‘Wonderful Wampee’
Agastache ‘Blue Boa’
Alstroemeria ‘Inca Joli’
Anemone hybrida ‘Wild Swan’
Anemone japonica ‘Lucky Charm’
Anemone japonica ‘Pocahontas’
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’
Asclepias purpurascens
Asclepias speciosa
Aster ‘Purple Dome’
Astilbe ‘Amber Moon’
Astilbe ‘Mighty Chocolate Cherry’
Baptisia ‘Sparkling Sapphires’
Brunnera ‘Diane’s Gold’
Brunnera ‘Sea Heart’
Buddleia ‘Princess Bride’
Chelone ‘Tiny Tortuga’
Clematis ‘Serious Black’
Coreopsis Li’l Bang ‘Enchanted Evening’
Coreopsis Li’l Bang ‘Red Elf’
Dicentra ‘Fire Island’
Echinacea ‘Magnus Superior’
Echinacea ‘Sombrero Salsa Red’
Echinops bannaticus ‘Blue Glow’
Epimedium ‘Red Beauty
Eryngium ‘Blue Glitter’
Fern Athyrium ‘Godzilla’
Filipendula ‘Red Umbrellas’
Geranium ‘Bob’s Blunder’
Geranium pratense ‘Dark Reiter’
Geranium sanguineum ‘Album’
Geranium ‘Sweet Heidy’
Grass Andropogon ‘Indian Warrior’
Grass Bouteloua ‘Blonde Ambition’
Grass Carex oshimensis ‘Everoro’
Grass Muhlenbergia ‘Undaunted’
Grass Panicum ‘Cheyenne Sky’
Grass Schizachyrium ‘Blue Paradise’
Grass Spodiopogon sibericus
Helleborus ‘Blushing Bridesmaid’
Helleborus ‘Confetti Cake’
Helleborus ‘Dark and Handsome’
Helleborus ‘French Kiss’
Helleborus ‘New York Night’
Helleborus ‘Rio Carnival’
Helleborus ‘Rome in Red’
Helleborus ‘Spanish Flare’
Hemerocallis ‘Blackthorne’
Hemerocallis ‘El Desperado’
Hemerocallis ‘Elegant Candy’
Hemerocallis ‘May May’
Hemerocallis ‘Night Beacon’
Hemerocallis ‘Passionate Returns’
Hemerocallis ‘Red Hot Returns’
Heuchera Dolce ‘Brazen Raisin’
Heuchera ‘Fire Alarm’
Heuchera ‘Mega Caramel’
Heucherella ‘Leap Frog’
Heucherella ‘Pink Fizz’
Hosta ‘Cool as a Cucumber’
Hosta ‘Electrocution’
Hosta ‘Fire Island’
Hosta ‘Prairie Sky’
Hosta ‘Pure Heart’
Hosta ‘Regal Splendor’
Iris lousiana ‘Ann Chowning’
Iris lousiana ‘Sinfionetta’
Knautia ‘Thunder and Lighnting’
Lavandula ‘Phenomenal’
Leucanthemum ‘Whoops-a-Daisy’
Lewisia ‘Little Tutti Frutti’
Ligularia ‘King Kong’
Lobelia ‘Starship Deep Rose’
Monarda ‘Leading Lady Lilac’
Monarda Leading Lady Plum’
Monarda ‘Pardon My Cerise’
Paeonia ‘Coral Sunset’
Paeonia ‘Flame’
Paeonia ‘Purple Spider’
Perovskia ‘Denim and Lace’
Persicaria affinis ‘Darjeeling Red’
Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’
Phlomis russelliana
Phlox hybrida ‘Opening Act Blush’
Phlox paniculata ‘Flame Coral’
Phlox paniculata ‘Flame Pink’
Phlox paniculata ‘Jeanna’
Phlox paniculata ‘Katherine’
Phyteuma scheuchzeri
Pulmonaria ‘Diana Clare’
Salvia Color Spires ‘Violet Riot’
Sanguisorba ‘Little Angel’
Salvia ‘Swifty Deep Rose’
Sedum ‘Touchdown Teak’
Silphium laciniatum
Silene virginica
Tiarella ‘Iron Butterfly’
Tradescantia ohiensis
Tricyrtis hirta ‘Albomarginata’
Trollius ‘Alabaster’
Verbascum ‘Arctic Summer’
Vernonia missourica
Viola walterii ‘Silver Gem’
Specialty Growers
Name/Description time of growing
[height] bloom conditions
The following plants are grown in 1 gallon or larger pots, priced as marked. Some are also available as 3.5” pots at $3.00 ea or $45.00 per flat of 18 (mix and match), or as 4.5" pots priced at $5.00 ea.
► Indicates NEW in our catalog for 2016
N Indicates NATIVE plant or a native cultivar. See p. 49 for a complete list of native plants.
Acanthus hungaricus (Hungarian Bear’s Breeches) $10.00
► ‘White Lips’ – Spiny flower spiked composed of purple-hooded July full sun to
flowers with white lips. This species is very hardy and tolerates partial shade
drought better than other Acanthus species [24”]
Acanthus mollis (Bear’s Breeches) $10.00
Attractive lobed and soft-spiny foliage, architecturally bold July full sun to
flower spikes. Creamy white to pink flowers, hooded and partial shade
subtended by purple bracts. Spreads by creeping rootstock.
Prefers loamy soil and mulch over winter [3-4’]
Achillea x millefolium (Hybrid Yarrow) 1 gal $8.50, 2 gal $10.00 June- full sun
‘Pomegranate’ – Rich red flowers, hold color well. Compact Sept
habit. Dead-heading will prolong bloom [20-24]
‘Saucy Seduction’ – Flowers open intense fuchsia pink, change
to soft pink as they mature. Part of the new Seduction series,
featuring compact habit and stronger stems [18-20”]
‘Strawberry Seduction’ –Red with yellow centers. Mature flowers
turn buff yellow and remain attractive all season. Compact
plants with upright, domed habit [24”]
‘Wonderul Wampee’ – Rich pink flower clusters change to soft blush
pink as they mature. Compact habit, good rebloom [14-16”]
Achillea x tagetea 1 gal $8.50
‘Moonshine' – Silvery foliage, sulfur yellow flowers. A tried June- full sun
and true performer [24”] August
Acinos alpinus (Rock Thyme) 3.5” pot $3.00
Small tubular red-violet flowers, trailing plant for June- full sun
dry locations or rock garden [6”] Sept well-drained
Aconitum cammarum (Bicolor Monkshood) 1 gal $8.50
‘Bicolor’ – Spikes of pale blue to white flowers edged in deep July- partial shade
violet-blue. Earlier to bloom than many Monkshoods [3-4’] August moist soil
Aconitum carmichaelii (Fall Monkshood) 1 gal $8.50
‘Arendsii’ - Thick leathery, glossy leaves, sturdy upright Sept- partial shade
spikes of large, hooded dark blue flowers. Late [3-4'] Oct moist soil
Aconitum fischeri (Azure Monkshood) 1 gal $8.50
Large dark blue hooded flowers on thick, leathery stems. August- partial shade
Compact growing, no staking needed [24"] Sept moist soil
Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag) 1 gal $8.50
‘Variegatus’ – Variegated yellow and green foliage similar -- sun to part shade
to iris. Insignificant flowers. Attractive accent plant for moist to wet soil
moist sites; can also be grown in shallow water [24-30”] or shallow water
Actaea pachypoda (White Baneberry, Doll’s Eyes) $7.50
N Fluffy white flower clusters give way to white fruits with a black May flowers shade/part shade
dot at the top, hence the common name. Native plant for Sept fruit moist soil
woodland setting; attractive compound leaves [2-3’]
N ‘Misty Blue’ – A selection with soft bluish-green finely-cut
foliage. Bright white berries are held on red stems [2-3’] $10
Available Summer 2016
Agastache aurantiaca (Orange Hummingbird Mint) 4.5” pot $5.00 all summer full sun
‘Tango’ – New hybrid with funnel-shaped orange blooms and well drained soil
gray-green aromatic foliage. Continual blooming [14”]
N indicates NATIVE plant or a native cultivar
Agastache x ‘Black Adder’ (Anise Hyssop) 1 gal $8.50
Vivid violet-blue flowers emerge from dark purple buds. July- full sun
Big, robust plants, excellent for late season color [3-4’] Sept well drained soil
Available Summer 2016
Agastache x ‘Blue Boa’ (Anise Hyssop) 1 gal $10.00
► Spikes of 5” long violet-blue flowers, larger and wider than July- full sun
older varieties. Attractive to pollinators [30-36”] Se[t well-drained soil
Available Summer 2016
Agastache x ‘Purple Haze’ (Anise Hyssop) 2 gal $12.50
Long stems with smoky violet flowers all summer long. July- full sun
Upright, compact habit. Fantastic bee plant [2-3’] Sept well drained soil
Agastache x ‘Raspberry Daiquiri’ (Anise Hyssop) 1 gal $8.50 July- full sun
Raspberry-red spikes, small spicy scented leaves. Sept well-drained soil
Dwarf, compact plants [8-10”]
Agastache rugosum (Anise Hyssop) 4.5” pot $5.00, 1 gal pot $7.50
‘Golden Jubilee’ - Golden-leaved form, especially bright July- full sun
in spring. Purple flowers. Great color contrast [28-36"] August
Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ (Bugleweed) 4.5” pot $5.00, 1 gal $7.50
Small-scale groundcover with glossy, jet-black, scalloped May full sun to
leaves. Violet blue flowers on short spikes [3-6”] shade
‘Chocolate Chip’ - Unusual Ajuga with small narrow oval
leaves of a rich chocolate color. Blue flowers. Good ground
cover for small spaces [4"]
Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) 3.5” pot $3.00
‘Chater’s Mix’ – Fully double pom-pom flowers. Mix includes June- full sun
red, pink, yellow, white, purple and salmon [6’] August
‘Halo Blush’- White single flowers with fuchsia red halo [6’]
‘Halo Cerise’ – Large single cerise-rose flowers with deep purple halo [6’]
‘Mars Magic’ – Solid cardinal red, single flowered [6’]
var. nigra – Black-red, single flowers [6’]
Alcea rugosa (Russian Hollyhock) 3.5” pot $3.00
This species is considerably more rust-resistant than common June- full sun
hollyhock. The flowers are single and butter-yellow [6’] August
Alchemilla erythropoda (Dwarf Lady's Mantle) 1 gal $7.50
A small Lady’s Mantle with smaller, deeper green leaves. June- full sun to
Tidy growth habit, useful in rock garden or as an edger [6"] July partial shade
Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle) 1 gal $7.50
Fan-shaped leaves, clusters of chartreuse flowers. Superb June- full sun to