Oenothera Undemanding plants, tolerant of poor soil, as long as drainage is good. Average moisture and moderate fertility is best. O. berlanderi 'Siskiyou' SHOWY PRIMROSE, a day blooming primrose, becomes a rampant spreader in rich, fertile soil, staying more compact in average soil. The long blooming. O. fruticosa 'Summer Solistice' SUNDROPS, has 18 in. clumps of dark foliage, with stiff stems supporting wide cup blooms of clear yellow from reddish buds. The genus Oenothera is exclusive to the new world. Species flowering in the daytime are SUNDROPS, or SUNCUPS, those opening late day and closing in the morning are EVENING PRIMROSES.

Ophiopogon japonicus MONDO GRASS Similar to Liriope with thick grasslike leaves forming turflike colonies. Berrylike fruits are iridescent blue. Excellent evergreen edging and ground cover plant. Ophiopogon p. 'Arabicus' BLACK MONDO GRASS Great as a specimen plant, the arching black leaves provide an intense contrast to light colored foliage plants. Black berrylike fruits in the fall. Slow to increase.

Origanum laevigatum ORNAMENTAL OREGANO Aromatic plants with outstanding bursts of butterfly attracting flowers. Prefers hot bright sun and well drained gravelly soil. Plant habit is upright to sprawling. Drought tolerant. Young leaves are tinted burgundy and the color intensifies in the autumn. Useful in rock gardens or as a small-scale ground cover. They make excellent cut flowers. O. 'Rosenkuppel' was selected as Perennial Plant of the year in Holland '98. Origanum r. 'Kent Beauty' Rounded grey green leaves clasp the wiry stems and form a dense low mound. Unusual pendant hop-like bracts are pale green and turn to a deep rose pink. Good drainage is key. Fine rock garden, container or front of the border plant.

Orostachys furusei  IWARENGE  For most of the growing season Orostachys is rather subdued ornamentally, looking like a slow spreading Sempervivum.  Not until this plant flowers can you appreciate the oddity of it.  From the center of the basal rosette erupts the cone shaped floral structure and in mass resembles a troll’s village in a Tolkein novel.  The flowers open along this structure giving the plant the appearance of a fuzzy dunce cap.  Needs excellent drainage in full sun, preferably rock garden conditions.  The bees love this plant.

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Alphabetical Plant Descriptions

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BILL KOLVEK PERENNIALS / P.O.Box 8525 Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 / FAX# 845-735-1157