North Creek Nurseries Catalog Supplement Winter 2016

January 2016 Wholesale Product Guide Winter Supplement New Introductions Expanded Collections Discover the Difference

great plants start here

The BUZZ Neonicotinoid-free IPM Growing Practices You only get what you give, therefore we strive to give nothing but the best to our customers and the environment. The North Creek way is rooted in the triple bottom line–people, planet, profit.

We grow plants that provide nectar, nutrition and habitat for pollinators. Our use of beneficial insects is a frontline preventative and always the first step in our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) growing practices. Learn about this program and other North Creek initiatives on our website under the Recent News link. ✓ Setting Action Thresholds ✓ Scouting + Identification ✓ Prevention + Control

Expanded North Creek Truck Routes US + Canadian Deliveries Services We have found that the most cost effective method to ship North Creek product into Canada is to simply hand deliver it ourselves!

The North Creek shipping department works closely with our sales and customer service team to build weekly truck deliveries into Quebec + Ontario–call today to be included on this opportunity!

Take advantage of our expanded Mid Atlantic + Ohio River Valley delivery routes. Visit our website for details, or call today! ✓ Perfect for 1, 2 + 3-gallon finishing ✓ LP32 liners available week 17 + 20 [April + July] ✓ Delivering via boxed, palletized or custom rack shipment

On Your Side The Future of Planting Design Our very own Claudia West teamed up with Thomas Rainer to publish her first [hopefully of many] book. Planting in a Post-Wild World is quickly becoming what readers consider the future of planting design. Published by Timber Press in September 2015, this groundbreaking guide presents a powerful alternative to traditional horticulture. Order your copy today and learn more about designing plant communities for resilient landscapes.

“This is the universal how-to guide to sustainable landscaping we have all been waiting for. A masterful accomplishment!”

–Dr. Doug Tallamy, Entomologist + Author

Sweet 16 for 2016 Resolution: Try something new in 2016! Our extensive plant trial + evaluation program keeps us asking, “Is new always better?” The answer is no. We did a little digging in the NC archives to come up with this collection of tried and true and new to the market all-star perennials. Reacquaint yourself with the old and ring in the New Year with something new from North Creek’s sweet 16 line up.

Selections such as Schizachyrium 'Standing Ovation' add year-round seasonal appeal!

As winter turns to spring, so begins a time of rejuvenation and renewal.

Here at North Creek, it’s also the time when we are exceptionally busy preparing your plants to exceed your expectations. It’s also a great time to say thank you, once again.

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Greeting from the Creek!

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In 2015 we saw many changes to our business model. Our new propagation greenhouse proves increased efficiencies in systems that had been in place for over 30 years.

We have improved our propagation and growing practices to bring you better plants than ever before. Your consistent support of North Creek has allowed all this to evolve.

It’s an exciting time at North Creek and that means it is an exciting time for you, our customer. I invite you to visit us and see how North Creek can contribute to your success. We know you have many choices when it comes to deciding on a perennial plug supplier. Thanks for making us yours. We trust you will be impressed with our expanded product line and resourceful sales tools.

We take great pride in beautifying the world one plug at a time, and we are most thankful for your continued support!

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1. Schizachyrium 'Standing Ovation'; 2. Erigeron 'Lynnhaven Carpet'; 3. Viola 'Silver Gem'; 4. Thermopsis 'Sophia'; 5. Echinacea 'Hot Papaya'; 6. Iris 'Tennessee White'; 7. Aster 'Woods Light Blue'; 8. Physostegia 'Pink Manners'; 9. Vernonia 'Iron Butterfly'; 10. Hibiscus 'Lord Baltimore'; 11. Coreopsis 'Jethro Tull'; 12. Nassella tenuissima; 13. Juncus effusus; 14. Delosperma cooperi; 15. Heuchera 'Watermelon'; 16. Ruellia humilis

Warm regards,

NEW INTRODUCTIONS Agastache 'Blue Boa' PP24050

Athyrium otophorum eared lady fern

In addition to appearing more saturated when compared to Blue Fortune, the longer and wider inflorescences make this selection a standout in the perennial border. The flower spikes bloom from June well into October, keeping a small army of pollinators fulfilled!

24-32”│ Z 5-10 │ 72

The new foliage presents in a limeypastel and adds drama to the overall appearance of this fern. The fronds mature to a medium green creating a unique two-toned appearance through out the season. A fresh new look for shade that we think you’ll enjoy just as much as we do!

15-24” │ Z 5-10 │ LP32

Andropogon gerardii 'Red October' PPAF

Carex oshimensis EverColor® 'Eversheen' PPAF

Two words: fall color. Deep green foliage emerges in spring with notable red tips. This selection comes alive as chilly October temperatures trigger an alarming transition to vivid red towers.

Attractive, scarlet red inflorescences bloom above the blades.

We added this new selection to round out our Evercolor® collection as the “.” on the “!” that is the diversity of the Evercolor® series. It is not only evergreen, but also ever-beautiful.

There is not a single season in which this grass does not look garden worthy.

6’ │ Z 3-8 │ 50 + LP50

12-18” │ Z 6-8 │ 72 + LP32

Anemone × hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'

Chelone obliqua 'Tiny Tortuga' PPAF

A timeless classic – this stately, clear-white selection was made in the mid-1800’s and is still beloved by the modern gardener. Effortless and reliable with a bounty of flowers come summer. Spent flowers give way to a cottony cluster of playful seed heads.

3-4’ │ Z 4-8 │ 50

Good things do come in small packages!

The floriferous, pint sized presence of Tiny Tortuga is a quick turn for 1-gallon retail programs with undoubted garden worthiness. Summer flowering, the hot pink blooms are a favorite of butterflies.

Very compact, slow to spread and disease resistant.

18-24”│ Z 4-9 │ 72

Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies'

Dianthus 'Kahori' hardy pink

The vivid orange flat-top flowers with red overtones and yellow centers are the perfect landing pad for all sorts of pollinators. Not only is it nutritional and highly attractive to beneficial pollinators, it is also wonderfully aromatic during its entire blooming period.

24-28” │ Z 3-9 │ 72 + LP50

'Kahori' is a hybrid that grows in an upright mound of gray-green foliage.

The foliage is an excellent canvas for the beautiful lilac-pink flowers that are not only striking in color, but are wonderfully fragrant. This variety is known to be heavy-flowering and excellent in rebloom.

8-12” │ Z 4-8 │ 72

Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow'

Festuca glauca Beyond Blue™ PP23307

Aptly named, this selection has a glowing yellow color that welcomes and commands the attention of butterflies, hummingbirds and garden visitors. A unique host plant owing to its finger-width foliage rather than the traditionally narrow foliage of other varieties.

15-24” │ Z 5-9 │ 72 + LP50

The intense blue foliage stays bright through all seasons for year-round interest.

Flowers extend above the tidy mounds of fine powder-blue blades in late spring and summer. Flowers fade to light brown by late summer and can be cut back if preferred. This low-maintenance gem will thrive despite heat, humidity or poor soils.

10-12”│ Z 4-10 │ 50

Geranium 'Azure Rush' PP22684

Panicum 'Cape Breeze' PP24895

'Azure Rush' is low, tidy and gently fills an area with its fragrant foliage. 'Azure Rush' is generously covered with light blue 2.5 inch blooms. Everything that you have come to love and anticipate from 'Rozanne' is true + improved by her lighter blue daughter.

14-16” │ Z 5-8 │ 50

North Creek is proud to bring 'Cape Breeze' to the market. Selected for upright habit, compact size and early flowering. Its perfect, tidy stature combines the toughness of seaside Panicum with the neatness of garden worthy cultivars. Great texture and movement in the landscape!

24-30” │ Z 4-9 │ 50 + LP50

Hakonechloa macra 'Albovariegata'

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head'

An elegant and noble addition to any shade landscape, this Japanese tree grass softens any major focal point in the landscape such as mature trees, boulders or stone patios. A truly graceful coloring with its creamy white margin.

This fountain grass cultivar produces feather plumes from August to September, a entire month earlier than other P. alopecuroides cultivars.

Traditional bottlebrush plumes hold beautifully for months and mature to a beautiful deep purple.

30” │ Z 5-8 │ LP32

48” │ Z 5-8 │ 50

Heuchera 'Stainless Steel' PP23349

Penstemon × mexicali RED ROCKS®

One of the parents of this hybrid is H. pubescens, an especially hardy, drought-resistant species native to rocky slopes in the Appalachians.

'Stainless Steel' has been a showstopper since we started trialing it here!

Bred by Charles Oliver and introduced

by Plants Nouveau.

8-12” │ Z 5(4)-8 │ 72

A Plant Select® introduction selected from crosses between Mexican and American wild penstemons. Upright spikes of bright, hot pink flowers rise above mounded foliage throughout summer. Colorful, adaptable and able to thrive in a wide range of soils and conditions. BEEautiful!

14-18” │ Z 4b-8 │ 50

Monarda punctata spotted beebalm

Phlox paniculata Peacock™ White

We adore the genus Monarda for so many of its wonderful properties including fragrance, ease of growing, willingness to naturalize an area reliably and all of the wonderful things that it can do for beneficial insects and pollinators. Excellent for meadows and naturalistic plantings.

24-30” │ Z 3-9 │ LP50

The pure-white flowering selection in the Peacock™ series selected for compact size, disease resistance, and heat tolerance. Sweetly fragrant flowers bloom early to late summer in full to part shade. A temporary fill-in as we rebuild our inventory numbers for Phlox 'David'.

14-18” │ Z 4-8 │ 50

Muhlenbergia UNDAUNTED®

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation' PP25202

An aura of reddish mauve flower spikes bloom late summer into fall and will stop you in your tracks - a performance that intensifies when backlit by the rising or setting autumn sun. Striking when planted en masse. Fine-textured, soft green foliage forms a tidy, wellbehaved mound.

15-18”│ Z 5-10 │ 50

A North Creek introduction worthy of applause. It keeps a tight, upright habit throughout the entire season and has stood strong even in the rich soils of our trial gardens. A industry favorite, it’s sure not going to let you or your customers down!

3-4’│ Z 3-8 │ 50 + LP50

North Creek Unique This unique collection has been either discovered or introduced to the trade and shared with the world by North Creek. An eye-catching collection with garden worthy plants that stand the test of time. Over 40 varieties to choose from, many of which have become trade staples over the years. From the durability and utility of Chrysogonum 'Allen Bush' to crowd favorite Schizachyrium 'Standing Ovation' – these introductions are made possible through partnerships with plant collectors, garden enthusiasts, breeders and horticultural institutions near and far. Look to North Creek when you are in need something unique!

1. Erigeron 'Lynnhaven Carpet'; 2. Salvia 'Caradonna'; 3. Actaea 'Misty Blue'; 4. Panicum 'Cape Breeze'; 5. Callisia 'Morning Grace'

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Fantastic Ferns Spring production real estate at a premium? Let North Creek help you free up over 2 months of greenhouse space by taking advantage of our Same-Year-Sales Fern Program. With over 20 varieties to choose from, we have something for growers and gardeners alike!

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✓ Perfect for 1, 2 + 3-gallon finishing ✓ LP32 liners available week 17 + 20 [April + July] ✓ Quick finish to ease your production cycle ✓ Liners only ship in active growth ✓ Top selling program - book early for best availability 1. Athyrium otophorum; 2. Athyrium 'Ghost'; 3. Osmunda cinnamomea; 4. Athyrium 'Victoriae'; 5. Athyrium 'Pictum'; 6. Dryopteris 'Radiance'

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Crazy for Carex Our assortment of sedges is growing! Bred by Pat Fitzgerald, Carex 'Eversheen' rounds out our newly expanded EverColor® series. When used en masse, North Creek Carex Collection offers solutions for erosion control and stormwater management; however, single specimen plantings add the perfect pop of color in filtered sunlight environments or patio containers.

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✓ LP32, LP50 + 50 liner sizes ✓ Robust + vigorous 4” root system ✓ Quick finish in production or direct installation 1. Carex radiata; 2. Carex 'Eversheen'; 3. Carex Bunny Blue™ 'HOBB' [Dog Friendly + Deer Resistant]; 4. Carex pensylvanica; 5. Carex 'Silver Sceptre'

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Shady Groundhuggers™ 1

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A wide-ranging assortment of perennials, sedges, grasses and ferns perfectly suited for the shade garden–not to mention an outstanding alternative to Liriope, Vinca and English Ivy. Our comprehensive Shady Groundhuggers™ Collection is ready to take on tough soil conditions and alleviate erosion...all while looking like they couldn’t possibly have a care in the world. Ideally suited for direct installation or grown on in container for quick-turn quart, 1 + 2-gallon retail sales. If you’re looking to restore the landscape and enhance native habitat, look no further.

1 + 2. Packera aurea [syn. Senecio aureus]; 3 + 4. Sedum ternatum 'Larinem Park'; 5 + 6. Meehania cordata

Seasonal Standouts Spring Sensations

Summer Color

High Finish Fall

Bolster your spring assortment with these fantastic early season standouts! Here are a few ideas for plants that will add color and depth to your spring assortment–all while looking simply sensational.

Sizzling summer color that seems to go on forever, extend the peak season with these offerings from North Creek! Reblooming perennials that give your plant palette the reassurance customers desire!

Don’t fall flat–round out the growing season on a high note!

This assortment provides a crescendo of color and tantalizing texture, who could ask for anything more?

Aquilegia sp. + cvs.

Asarum sp.

Carex sp. + cvs.

Euphorbia sp.

Geum sp.

Hellebores sp. + cvs.

Heuchera sp. + cvs.

Iris sp. + cvs.

Lupinus sp.

Packera sp.

Phlox sp. + cvs.

Salvia cvs.

Stachys sp.

Tiarella sp. + cvs.

Viola cvs.

Achillea cvs.

Agastache sp. + cvs.

Asclepias sp. + cvs.

Baptisia sp. + cvs.

Calamintha sp. + cvs.

Coreopsis sp. + cvs.

Echinacea sp. + cvs.

Eryngium sp. + cv.

Geranium sp. + cvs.

Heliopsis sp. + cvs.

Hibiscus sp. + cvs.

Kalimeris cvs.

Monarda sp. + cvs.

Pennisetum cvs.

Panicum sp. + cvs.

Aster sp. + cvs.

Bouteloua sp. + cv.

Chasmanthium sp.

Chelone sp. + cvs.

Ceratostigma sp.

Eupatorium sp. + cvs.

Lobelia sp. + cv.

Muhlenbergia sp. + cv.

Phlox sp. + cvs.

Rudbeckia sp. + cvs.

Sedum sp. + cvs.

Solidago sp. + cvs.

Sorghastrum sp.

Tricyrtis cvs.

Vernonia sp. + cv.

Resources for your Growing Success!

Living Laboratory + Extensive Plant Trialing North Creek Unique™ Neonicotinoid-free IPM Growing Practices Landscape Plugs™

North Creek: Offering perennial

varieties that

stand the test

of time.

Garden: One of a vast number of free outdoor restaurants operated by charity-minded amateurs in an effort to provide healthful, balanced meals for insects, birds and animals.

Henry Beard + Roy McKie, Gardener’s Dictionary

www.northcreeknurseries.com │ 877.ECO.PLUG │ info@northcreeknurseries.com