Ongoing research

Helleborus Red Lady in full bloom, March 2011, showing slug damage on leaves. Photo: SK Reid. This Lenten rose was favored because of the attractive deep ruby color of the flower bracts in late winter. The flowers held for months on the plant, and were still attractive when dry.

Heuchera maxima in full bloom April 2011. Photo: SK Reid. Island alumroot is an attractive herbaceous perennial California native, even when not flowering.

Trachelospermum Sassy in April 2014. Photo: SK Reid. This recent introduction of star jasmine bears flowers with a fragrance reminiscent of root beer or sarsaparilla.

Kniphofia Christmas Cheer in December 2012. Photo: SK Reid. Although this large poker plants average overall appearance ratings for the year are barely average, it was actually outstanding at the height of its bloom in December, making it true to its name.

Buddleia Purple Splendor in May 2014. Photo: SK Reid. Purple Splendor was a vigorous grower in our trials obtaining an average size in two years of 4 4 high (52.1 cm) and 6 1 wide (185.9 cm).

Buddleia Tutti Fruitti in July 2014 on 60% of ET0. Photo: SK Reid. This violet pink dwarf butterfly bush had a low, somewhat fountain-form habit and reached a height of 2 2 (66 cm) with a spread of 4 7 (141.6 cm) at the end of two years.

Ceanothus Concha in full bloom in March 2014. Photo: SK Reid. High mortality rates during the first year of establishment (15 dead out of 24) left us with only two plants on the 80% treatment at the beginning of the second year, with only one plant surviving past August.

Dianthus Orchid in full bloom April 2014 (most plants not in full bloom until June). Photo: SK Reid. This hardy little front-of-the-border perennial surprised us with its performance on moderate levels of irrigation. At the end of two years it attained an average height and width of 7.3 by 20 (18.

Epilobium Sidewinder already in full bloom in June 2014 on 20% ET0. Photo: SK Reid. A stunning introduction from Ball Ornamentals, Sidewinder was a prolific orange bloomer from May to October, and a vigorous grower reaching an average of 2 3 high (69.2 cm) and an impressive 7 2 wide (219.8 cm).

Epilobium Sierra Salmon in October on 20% of ET0. Photo: SK Reid. Sierra Salmon is an upright, gray-leaved cultivar of California fuchsia that attained an average height of 2 6 (79.5 cm) in our two-year trial with a spread of 4 8 (142.2 cm).