Beni and the Not Yets

We’ve been growing the fall-flowering Farfugium japonicum for nearly 40 years, and despite growing numerous cultivars as well as seedlings, had seen no difference in the standard yellow flower color, until a 2008 visit to the Georgia garden of plantsman Ozzie Johnson. There, I first met the cultivar, ‘Beni’, which in Japanese, means red flowers.

Plantsmen in search of red flower plants all share the same frustration when they find that ‘Beni’ almost always turns out to be orange, to those without horticulture color blindness. Nonetheless, I was thrilled to know that there was a mustard orange flowered selection. Thanks to Ozzie’s generosity, a division returned with us for JLBG.

After growing it for 15 years, we still don’t have enough to share, but have recently divided our original clump, and spread it around the garden to build up stock faster. The photo is it in the garden this week (mid-November). We’re hoping it won’t be too much longer before we can share this amazing selection. Hardiness Zone 6a-9b.

Farfugium japonicum ‘Beni’

Don’t Miss the Stones latest show

Putting on a show this week in the garden are the Living Stones. No, not Mick, Keith, and Ronnie, but the horticultural Living Stones, Lithops aucampiae. Our oldest patch starts flowering in early to mid November each year, growing beautifully under an overhanging rock.

For all the articles about how difficult they are to grow, and how they won’t take any frost, we’ve found it all to be completely fake gardening news. These were started from seed in 2018, and have now survived 11F in the ground with no ill effects. We have them planted in a soil mix of 50% Permatill gravel, 25% native sandy loam, and 25% compost, with an open exposure to the south.

We added two more species (L. hookeri and L. lesleii) to the garden almost two years ago and they have thrived equally as well. Sounds like the myth about Lithops being difficult to grow and not winter hardy is completely busted.

Lithops aucampiae

Fireworks in September

Some new plants are flashes in the proverbial pan, while others become long term industry standards. Here is our patch of Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ in the garden this morning. This 1993 introduction from the NC Botanical Garden and Niche Garden has still not been topped 28 years later…one of the most stunning and best performing perennials we’ve ever grown.