Welcome to Dunvegan Nursery

The delightful aspect of this series of foamflowers is that they are named for divas of horticulture and the environment. These are ladies who have had a hand in promoting and developing this exquisite native American plant (Tiarella cordifolia) and its use in home landscapes as well as in ecology. Today, the term diva is used in myriad applications...BUT the actual correct definition is ‘a singer of renown’. The three ladies who have been selected are not actual musicians, but rather figures of impact in our field who have ‘sung’ their message through the printed and spoken word and through their good works benefiting plants and people. They are indeed divas for the environment and for horticulture.

Stephanie Cohen, world recognized speaker, author and educator on gardening and horticulture.

Dr. Sherry Kitto, world class plant science researcher and professor at the University of Delaware. Sherry researched and published the tissue culture protocols for native plants including Tiarella, which enables the large-scale production of foamflowers possible today. Sherry has distinctly advanced the maxim "conservation through propagation".

FM Mooberry, who founded the Brandywine Conservancy's plant program, started the Native Plants Conference at Millersville University nearly 20 years ago and has tirelessly promoted and popularized native plants and their many applications.

Some portion of the income from the commercial sales of these Diva-rellas will go to education in the form of a scholarship, as all of these ladies have been so involved in that aspect of our field.

More will be added and it is our hope that we can attract some other renowned divas who are also interested in the environment. Tiarella cordifolia has many common names, but the preeminent one is heartleaf foamflower. Any named selections will be chosen for ladies with heart too! The environment, water quality and pollinator health are all topics of HUGE importance to all humans. While this project is concerning plants and ecology directly... indirectly, it concerns all humanity. When healthy, the environment benefits all creatures who reside in it and provides the sustenance required for all life. That means you too, and so, this tiarella work is really about "we the people"...

"The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture." Thomas Jefferson

After a long development process, Dunvegan is proud to present The River Series of Tiarella. These plants are hardy, prolific bloomers and have interesting foliar qualities.

This line originated from a cross of Tiarella cordifolia x Erika Leigh with a seedling T cordifolia. The F1 was open pollinated, and the F2 selected from over 15000 seedlings grown. The selected F2’s have increased bloom over the species, by having branched racemes, additional raceme production, larger florets, and runner tip blooms. Each selection in the series is different in foliage, and all are runners (not clumpers).

This series of running Tiarella are distributed and marketed through PlantsNouveau, and will be getting to the market in 2009. The plants will be useful in landscapes, gardens, and natural areas. They are named for Pennsylvania rivers, in the tradition of T. c. x Brandywine (a sibling of T. c. x Erika Leigh). In using native names for fine native plants, we also hope these river choices help to increase public awareness about regional and global water concerns, and interest in our environment.

Phlox paniculata x Shortwood (mother Phlox David). This lovely Phlox is a direct female descendant of David. Very resistant to powdery mildew, and very long blooming. Named for Stephanie Cohen's garden Shortwood Gardens. Best performer in the Chicago Botanic Gardens Trials. Available from Blooms of Bressingham of North America, Yoder Bros./Greenleaf, and licensed growers. Selected by Sinclair Adam.

Dunvegan is continuing development of two of our favorite native plants Phlox and Tiarella, and we plan on providing more good selections and hybrids for the market. We are also planning new work with other native genera for the future...


Delaware	Lehigh

Octoraro	Susquehanna

Wissahickon

Keep planting those native plants!!!!!!