Jim and Steph Putnam visit Garden Treasures Nursery in April 2026

Jim and Steph Putnam are fantastic ambassadors for our plants!

In this video, Jim Putnam and his wife, Steph, visit Garden Treasures, a nursery near Raleigh, North Carolina, owned by their long-time friend Pat McCracken. Known for his expertise in rare and unusual plants, Pat introduces several unique specimens that the Putnams add to their collection. The video serves as a guide to some of these distinctive plants, many of which are underutilized or hard to find in the trade.

Featured Plants and Highlights:

• Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Spike': An upright, sharp-foliaged plant (2:30–3:15).
• Azaleas: Pat showcases several "spider-type" azaleas, including Rhododendron (azalea) 'Koromo Shikibu' (3:21–3:45) and the dark Rhododendron 'Nuccio's Wicked Witch'  (3:47–4:05).
• Viburnum plicatum 'Mary Milton': Highlighted for its long-blooming sequence and beautiful fall color (5:04–6:14).
• Corylopsis spicata 'Golden Spring' (Spike Winter Hazel) Corylopsis spicata 'Golden Spring': An underused, structurally elegant plant that blooms in winter (6:16–7:34).  Rhododendron '(Azalea) Nuccio's Wicked Witch' (Rhododendron) Rhododendron '(Azalea) Nuccio's Wicked Witch' (Rhododendron)
• Cryptomeria 'Pom Pom': A slow-growing, narrow conifer perfect for limited spaces (7:37–8:26).
• Hydrangea serrata 'Kokonoe-yama': A low-growing, variegated hydrangea with lavender lace-cap flowers (8:30–9:35).
• Symphytum x uplandicum 'Variegatum' (Russian Camfrey): A large-leaved comfrey relative that requires excellent drainage (9:39–10:33).
• Asarum delavayi (Chinese Ginger): A shade-loving plant notable for its large, ground-level flowers (10:35–11:18).
• Salvia nipponica 'Fuji Snow': A fall-blooming, variegated salvia that tolerates filtered shade (11:21–12:08).
• Ledebouria sp. nov. 'Gary Hammer' (False Scilla): An African bulb with spotted foliage, often called a "sun hosta" (12:11–13:08).

New Introduction: Carex 'Lunar Falls' pp 37205 - RARE! EXCLUSIVE NEW GARDEN TREASURES RELEASE!!!:

• A significant highlight of the visit is the introduction of Lunar Falls Carex (13:35–15:22). A sport mutation of 'Feather Falls', this variety features whiter, narrower foliage and high vigor. Pat notes that while it is currently rare, it is expected to become more widely available in garden centers via the Southern Living Plant Collection within about two years.