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The Phoenix Perennials E-News

Mid April 2026

We're Hiring!

We're looking for a few hard working, motivated students or youth under 30 to join our team for the season. We have a position with our mail order team preparing orders and packing boxes for shipping and a position on retail helping customers and doing cash.

Please send a cover letter discussing your interest in plants and working at Phoenix Perennials along with your resume to Gary.

Retail Nursery Hours

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Tuesday 10am-5pm

Wednesday 10am-5pm

Thursday 10am-6pm*

Friday 10am-6pm*

Saturday 10am-5pm

Sunday 10am-5pm

*Extended Hours Until June 26th

Including all holidays until November 15, 2026.

Mail Order Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Upcoming Garden & Botanical Tours

Join Gary to explore the horticultural and botanical world up close and personal!

Upcoming Tours

Great Irish Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show

May 2027

Portugal and Madeira

Fall 2027

Where do you want to go next? Let me know!

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Email Worldwide Quest to join the interest lists. There is no obligation but tours often sell out from these lists, so it's best to put your name down.

In this Issue

1. Discover the Best Clematis in the World
2. All About Persimmon
3. New Long-Blooming Plants
4. Main Mail Order Catalogue
5. Pre-Orders Closing in April
6. Pre-Orders Closing in May
7. Scenes from Phoenix Perennials

Discover the Best Clematis 

in the World

The Incredible Cultivars of Celebrated Breeder Raymond Evison

Raymond Evison, widely recognized as one of the world’s most important breeders of Clematis, was born in 1944 in Shropshire, England. He embarked on his horticultural journey at the age of 15. His early passion for plants led him to become the director of his first company, Treasures of Tenbury Ltd. A severe winter that devastated a significant portion of his nursery stock prompted Evison to relocate his clematis operations to Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1985. There, he established The Guernsey Clematis Nursery, capitalizing on the milder climate and extended growing season.

Over the past six decades, Evison has introduced over 100 clematis species and cultivars, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in clematis breeding. His breeding program emphasizes developing compact, free-flowering varieties suitable for modern gardens and containers – many that don’t even need to be pruned! This focus addresses the needs of contemporary gardeners who often have limited space but desire vibrant, colourful, easy-to-maintain plants.

This year we have 61 different Evison cultivars available in the Clematis Conundrum Pre-Order of which 40 are pictured in this collage. It’s by far the largest selection we’ve ever offered! Take advantage to collect your favourite cultivars.

'Josephine' is Evison's most popular clematis by far!

'Cassis' is a recently introduced cultivar that has made waves.

'Diamantina'

'Empress'

'Crystal Fountain'

One of Evison’s significant achievements in clematis breeding is the development of truly red-flowered varieties. Traditional red clematis often had purple or magenta undertones, but through careful selection and hybridization, Evison has introduced deep, vibrant reds that hold their colour well in different lighting conditions.

Among his standout red cultivars is ‘Rebecca’, a striking deep red clematis with large, velvety blooms and a bright yellow centre, named after one of his daughters. ‘Charmaine’ is another stunning variety, producing abundant, double red flowers in early summer followed by single blooms later in the season. ‘Jie’, an elegant compact variety with rich, ruby-red flowers, is perfect for small spaces and containers. ‘Nubia’ features dark red, almost burgundy petals with a velvety texture, making it a dramatic addition to the garden. For something unique, ‘Avant Garde’ combines deep pinkish-red outer petals with a striking ruffled pink and white centre, creating an eye-catching contrast.

Evison’s red clematis bring bold colour and sophistication to the garden, offering excellent performance, long flowering periods, and suitability for both containers and traditional climbing displays.

Raymond Evison’s red cultivars available this year in the Pre-Order. Clockwise from top left: ‘Rebecca’, ‘Nubia’, ‘Jie’, ‘Avant Garde’, ‘Charmaine’.

Evison's commitment to excellence is evident in his numerous accolades. He has been awarded 34 gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, including 15 consecutive golds from 2003 to 2017. In recognition of his contributions to horticulture, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2024.

Raymond Evison receives his 34th gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2024.

The success of Evison's clematis varieties can be attributed to their exceptional qualities:

• Compact Growth Habit – Ideal for small gardens and container planting. Many cultivars remain so nicely compact that they don’t require pruning to maintain the appropriate size for a given garden space.

• Extended Bloom Period – Many of his cultivars offer prolonged flowering seasons, some even providing continuous colour from late spring to fall!

• Disease Resistance – Through meticulous breeding, Evison has developed many varieties that are resilient against common clematis diseases.

• Diverse Colour Palette – His cultivars encompass a wide range of colours and forms, including singles and doubles, catering to various aesthetic preferences.

Raymond Evison's dedication to breeding superior clematis has transformed the horticultural landscape, making these once finicky climbers accessible and enjoyable for gardeners worldwide.

Raymond Evison at Phoenix Perennials

In 2011 Raymond Evison gave a talk and workshop at Phoenix Perennials when he was in Canada to promote his Clematis. The video and sound are not great but if you turn up the volume and forgive my unsteady hand, you’ll learn a lot about Clematis from one of the world’s luminaries on the subject. The talk is recorded in 10 segments collected together in a playlist.

For those interested in exploring a diverse selection of clematis, including many of Evison's cultivars, look no further than the Clematis Conundrum Pre-Order for 2026 where you will find an extensive selection of 61 different Raymond Evison cultivars!

The pre-order will be closing soon and extra plants will soon be available in the nursery. Get your orders in to secure your top cultivars.

All About Persimmon

Sweet Autumn Jewels for Garden and Kitchen

Persimmons are among the world’s most beautiful and delicious fruits, offering a sweet taste, glowing colour, and ornamental value in the garden. While their origins are in warmer climates, certain species and cultivars have proven adaptable enough for cooler regions — even parts of Canada down to zone 4 — with careful site selection. Two main species are worth knowing: the Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki) and the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana).

The Asian Persimmon (Diospyros kaki)

Native to China and cultivated for more than 2,000 years, the Asian persimmon is one of the most popular fruits in Asia, especially in China, Japan, and Korea. Today, it’s also grown extensively in Mediterranean Europe, California, and other warm temperate regions.

Varieties and Astringency

Asian persimmons fall into two broad categories:

• Non-astringent varieties (e.g., ‘Fuyu’, ‘Jiro’) can be eaten firm, like an apple. You can also wait and eat them when they are soft like a tomato. Their flavour is mild and honeyed, with a hint of spice.
• Astringent varieties (e.g., ‘Hachiya’, ‘Saijo’) must be fully ripe and soft before eating. When under-ripe, they contain high levels of tannins, making them unpleasantly puckery. Once soft — like a ripe tomato — they become sweet, rich, and almost custard-like.

Ways to Eat Asian Persimmons

Non-astringent types are perfect sliced fresh into salads or eaten fresh as you would any piece of fruit. Astringent types are best scooped with a spoon when jelly-soft. Both kinds can be dried (a traditional method in Asia that intensifies the sweetness), used in baking (persimmon pudding, breads, and cakes), or incorporated into jams, chutneys, and even savoury dishes.

Hardiness

Diospyros kaki generally thrives in USDA Zones 7–10, with some cold-hardy cultivars tolerating Zone 6. In Canada, they can be grown outdoors in the mildest parts of British Columbia and southern Ontario (primarily Niagara and other warmer microclimates), or in large containers that can be moved to shelter in winter in colder zones.

Asian Persimmon Cultivars Available from Phoenix Perennials – Asian persimmons are self-fertile.

• Cardinal ‘Jo Choo’ – Very early ripening, non-astringent, large sweet fruit with crisp texture; excellent for fresh eating or drying.
• Early Fuyu – Early season, non-astringent, medium to large fruit; sweet when firm or soft, ideal for cooler summers.
• Early Jiro – Early season, non-astringent, squat-shaped fruit; sweet and mild, good for eating like an apple, and regions with cooler summers.
• Early/Matsumoto Wase Fuyu – Early season, non-astringent, high yields; firm, flavourful fruit with long storage life.
• Fuyu – Mid-season, non-astringent, the classic market variety; crisp and sweet when firm, softens to honeyed richness.
• Hachiya – Late season, astringent until jelly-soft; large acorn-shaped fruit with rich, custard-like flesh perfect for baking.
• Hana Fuyu – Mid-season, non-astringent, slightly smaller than Fuyu but very sweet and crisp.
• Ichi-ki-kei-Jiro – Early to mid-season, non-astringent, compact tree; squat, sweet fruit suitable for smaller gardens.
• Jiro – Mid-season, non-astringent, firm, sweet fruit with good keeping quality.
• Oriole ‘Black Flesh’ – Mid-season, astringent, striking dark-fleshed fruit with rich flavour.
• Phoenix ‘Do Geun Jo Sang’ – Mid-season, astringent, high sugar content and intense flavour when fully ripe.
• Raven ‘Black’ – Mid-season, astringent, deep orange to reddish-black skin with complex flavour when soft.
• Robin ‘Eun Poong Jun Si’ – Mid-season, astringent, large sweet fruit with smooth texture when ripe.
• Saijo – Mid to late season, astringent, small to medium fruit; considered one of the sweetest persimmons.

The American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

Native to the eastern and central United States, the American persimmon is less well-known in Canadian markets but valued by foragers and gardeners who appreciate native fruiting trees.

Fruit and Astringency

American persimmons are astringent when unripe. The small, orange fruits must be left on the tree until after frost or allowed to ripen fully indoors, at which point they develop a rich, caramel-like flavour.

Ways to Eat American Persimmons

Ripe American persimmons can be eaten fresh, pressed into pulp for puddings, muffins, and breads, or dried for later use. Their flavour is deeper and more complex than the Asian types, often compared to dates or brown sugar.

Hardiness

Diospyros virginiana is much hardier than D. kaki, tolerating USDA Zones 4–9. This makes it suitable for much of southern Canada, particularly British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, if given a warm, sheltered spot. Though not reliably hardy across the Prairies, trees of the American persimmon grown in pots and moved for winter would not need to be kept much warmer than outdoor temperatures in a protected and slightly heated garage, shed, greenhouse, or sunroom to survive the winter.

American and Hybrid Persimmon Cultivars Available from Phoenix Perennials – American persimmons are partially self-fertile. They will set fruit on their own but when two different cultivars are present to cross pollinate each other, each tree will produce more fruit.

• Nikita’s Gift (D. kaki × D. virginiana) – Late season, self-fertile, astringent; hardy hybrid with rich, sweet flavour like D. virginiana but with larger fruit. Hardy to zone 5.
• Early Golden – Early season, partially self-fertile, medium-sized fruit; rich flavour and excellent for fresh eating or baking.
• Garretson – Early to mid-season, partially self-fertile, sweet and flavourful with good texture.
• Meader – Mid-season, self-fertile, hardy selection with excellent flavour and attractive fall colour.
• Prairie Dawn – Early season, partially self-fertile, sweet fruit ripening before frost in many regions.
• Prairie Gem – Mid-season, partially self-fertile, rich, sweet fruit with good storage qualities.
• Prairie Star – Mid-season, partially self-fertile, sweet, aromatic fruit on a hardy tree.
• Prairie Sun – Mid to late season, partially self-fertile, large fruit with golden-orange flesh.
• Szukis – Mid-season, self-fertile, productive tree with sweet, mild-flavoured fruit.

Growing Persimmons in Canadian Gardens

Persimmons prefer full sun and well-drained soil. While tolerant of a range of soil types, they dislike waterlogging. Plant them in spring to allow a full season of root establishment before winter. They can also be planted in fall but, where they are close to their zonal limits, provide a foot high mulch of fallen leaves around the base of the new trees to insulate the roots and lower trunk.

Planting - Choose a sheltered site, ideally with protection from prevailing winds. Cold-hardy cultivars or American persimmons are the best choice for areas outside BC’s mild coastal climate. Grafted trees will bear fruit sooner than seedlings.

Fertilizing - Persimmons don’t require heavy feeding. Too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, and mulch to retain soil moisture.

Harvesting - Persimmons ripen at different points through fall, depending on the cultivar. If you live in a cool summer climate or have a planting location that is not quite full sun, choose an early-ripening cultivar. Fruits of the Asian persimmon should be left on the tree as long as possible to develop and fully ripen but can be picked and allowed to ripen indoors if frost threatens. The flavour and sweetness of American persimmon fruit improve after they have been touched by frost.

Pruning - Minimal pruning is needed beyond removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. A light annual thinning can help maintain an open canopy and encourage better light penetration.

General Care - Persimmons are generally pest- and disease-resistant. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells, especially in the first few years. Most grafted trees, which is what we offer at Phoenix Perennials, begin fruiting in 3–5 years. Seed-grown trees can take up to 7 years and the fruit can be of unknown quality.

Size and Ornamental Qualities

Persimmon trees are medium-sized, typically 4–10 metres (12-30 feet) tall depending on species and cultivar. Their glossy green leaves offer a lush slightly subtropical look through summer. They turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn, and the bright orange fruits often hang on the branches after leaf drop, creating a striking late fall and early winter display.

Health Benefits

Persimmons are nutrient-rich, providing a good source of dietary fibre and antioxidants. They are high in vitamin A (important for vision and immune health) and vitamin C (for immune support and collagen production). They also contain potassium and manganese, supporting heart health and metabolism.

Persimmons, whether Asian or American, bring beauty to the garden and sweetness to the kitchen. With the right variety and a bit of care, most Canadian gardeners can enjoy these delicious autumn jewels — fresh, dried, or baked into a comforting dessert as the days grow shorter.

We currently have all of our persimmon in stock for in-person shopping. They are also available in our Great Citrus & Rare Fruit Pre-Order for online ordering for pick-up or Canada-wide shipping.

Highlights from the Main Catalogue

New Long-Blooming Plants

Every year we offer the newest hottest plants in the world plus many new rare and unusual plants you've likely never seen before. 2026 is going to be a bumper year, fellow gardeners. We have so many new plants in store for you. Here are some highlights.

Agastache cana ‘Zuni’ is a hummingbird mint with violet-pink coloured flowers and aromatic foliage.

Agastache ‘Honeysticks Ember’ is a short, fragrant hummingbird mint with orange flowers and darker orange-red calyces.

Anemone ‘Dawn Breaker’ is a spring-blooming Japanese anemone with rose-pink flowers that will rebloom in fall.

Anigozanthos Celebration Fireworks is an amazing kangaroo paw with sky blue and teal green flowers atop hot pink stems.

Anigozanthos Celebrations Masquerade is a fantastical kangaroo paw with blue, purple, and turquoise flowers!

Astrantia major ‘Moulin Rouge’ is a gorgeous masterwort with deep red bracts around sparkling centres.

Buddleia ‘Blueberry Pie’ is a compact, sterile butterfly bush with fragrant blue-purple flowers with white and yellow centres.

Calamintha nepeta ‘Triumphator’ is a lesser calamint with aromatic foliage and clouds of white to pale blue flowers.

Cosmos atrosanguineus ‘Cherry Chocolate’ has the same delicious dark chocolate scent but with rich cherry pink petals.

Dahlia Mystic Fantasy has peachy-pink single flowers with red centres atop luscious, dark burgundy, filigreed foliage.

Dahlia Mystic Allure has vibrant hot cherry pink petals with bold magenta stripes atop dark burgundy foliage.

Dahlia Venti Pinkburst is an anemone style dahlia with pink outer petals and a darker pink centre that fades to yellow.

Dicentra ‘Passion Hearts’ is a fern-leaf bleeding heart with red and pink flowers and lacy blue-green foliage.

Echinacea Delightful ‘Tropics’ is a fully double, sweetly scented coneflower in orange, mango, and ruby grapefruit colours.

Echinacea Princess ‘Citrus’ is a mesmerizing bicolour coneflower in lemon yellow with green tips.

Echinacea Sunseekers ‘Pink Grapefruit’ is a stunningly beautiful coneflower with semi-double pink-orange-summer blooms.

Epilobium (syn. Zauschneria) ‘Unforgettable’ is a California fuchsia with a profusion of tubular red flowers for hummingbirds.

Erysimum linifolium Erysistible ‘Fire’ is a wall flower with campfire-hued blooms over a long flowering season.

Eupatorium fistulosum ‘JoJo’ is a Joe-Pye-weed with long-blooming, double, vanilla-scented, rose-pink flowers.

Gaura lindheimeri Steffi ‘White’ is a compact butterfly gaura with upright spikes of delicate white blooms.

Geranium magniflorum ‘La Veta Lace’ is a wonderful cranesbill with purple-pink blooms with white centres atop lacy foliage.

Hydrangea macrophylla Drama Queen is a compact, rebloomer with plum purple or deep pink-red mopheads.

Hydrangea macrophylla Soul Mate is a re-bloomer with big mopheads from pink to mauve depending on pH.

Hydrangea paniculata Hot Sauce is a compact panicle hydrangea covered in frothy white, cream, and pink flowers.

Lantana camara Luscious Basket ‘Tangeglow’ has vivid yellow and orange blossoms for months on end.

Nepeta ‘Lemon Purrfection’ is an early-blooming catmint with lavender blue blossoms and striking golden foliage.

Osteospermum ecklonis FlowerPower Spider Purple is a long-blooming African daisy with super cool warm purple flowers.

Osteospermum ecklonis Zion Purple Sun is a long-blooming African daisy with masses of purple and yellow-orange flowers.

Rosa ‘Gumball Goody’ is a dwarf shrub rose with fragrant, double flowers of red, yellow, and pink blooming from late spring to fall.

Rosa ‘Cinnamon Hearts’ is a dwarf shrub rose with a long season of fragrant, scarlet red, double blooms.

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Denver Daisy’ is a black-eyed-Susan with bright buttercup yellow flower petals and burgundy centres.

Russelia equisetiformis ‘Fire Cracker Red’ is a fiery firecracker or coral plant with clusters of bright, coral-red tubular flowers.

Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ is an aromatic evergreen Mexican bush sage with purple and lavender flowers.

Zinnia elegans ‘Queeny Lime Orange’ offers a bounty of tricolour green, peach and orange flowers all summer long.

Discover More New Plants

Announced in our Alerts

Main Mail Order

Catalogue 2026

1200+ different plants including 300+ new plants for pick-up or Canada-wide shipping for the new gardening season

We are pleased to announce the launch of our Main Mail Order Catalogue for the 2026 season which includes the majority of our perennials plus countless other rare, choice, uncommon, and tried and true plants for your garden, many of which you won't find anywhere else. We hope you have fun. Enjoy!

Pre-Orders Closing in April

The Great Rose 

Pre-Order

278 Spectacular Roses for your Garden and Patio

Now Closed. Shop in person for our extra plants.

Be the first to know!

Subscribers to the Rose and Fragrance Alerts receive early notifications of pre-order launches, updates, and sales and articles about roses. Subscribe by clicking on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email.

Clematis Conundrum

Pre-Order

212 Choice Clematis and other Beautiful Vines

Be the first to know!

Subscribers to the Made in the Shade and Woody Plant Alerts receive early notifications of pre-order launches, updates, and sales and articles about rhododendrons. Subscribe by clicking on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email.

Pre-Orders Closing in May

SUCCULENT SITUATION PRE-ORDER

218 Amazing Succulents to add to your Collection

***NEW LOWER PRICES!***

Be the first to know!

Subscribers to the Succulent Alert receive early notifications of pre-order launches, updates, and sales and articles about succulents. Subscribe by clicking on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email.

Great Citrus & Rare Fruit Pre-Order

411 Amazing Edible Plants

Be the first to know!

Subscribers to the Edible Alert rreceive early notifications of pre-order launches, updates, and sales and articles about edible plants. Subscribe by clicking on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email.

The Grafted Veggie Pre-Order

Ensure bumper crops of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers.

Be the first to know!

Subscribers to the Edible Alert receive early notifications of pre-order launches, updates, and sales and articles about edible plants. Subscribe by clicking on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email.

The Hydrangea Hysteria Pre-Order

You’ll go crazy for these 82 amazing Hydrangea

Be the first to know!

Subscribers to the Made in the Shade Alert receive early notifications of pre-order launches, updates, and sales and articles about hydrangea. Subscribe by clicking on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email.

Scenes from 

Phoenix Perennials

Here's what's been happening at the nursery recently!

The orchid cactus are just amazing. We have some cultivars available now in the nursery with more to come. You can also order them all online in the Main Catalogue.

The camas lilies are out of this world right now. This is Camassia leichtlinii 'Caerulea'.

Pale blue Camassia leichtlinii 'Blue Heaven'.

Hardy pleione orchids in bloom.

Lots of flowering trees are out now including these shelves of Magnolia, Quercus and more.

The first of the warm season tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are in! Rummen and Kim are also excited.

The veggie section is full with early season veggies.

Tree roses shipping across Canada!

Lorraine always has mixed feelings about her displays. She puts lots of thought into them and when they're really good they get torn apart when people buy all the plants. But then she gets to design new ones.

Another shot of the crazy orchid cactus. Come get your own selfie with them!

See you soon at the nursery!

Order Your Copy of

The Complete Book of Ground Covers

By Phoenix Perennials owner Gary Lewis

You can order signed copies for pick-up or shipping within Canada from Phoenix Perennials. You can order from your favourite neighbourhood bookseller. Or you can order online around the world from your favourite online sources.

Also available in-person at the nursery.

Help Us Spread the Word

Please tell your friends and family about Phoenix Perennials. Share this email with them, tell them about your mail order plants, or bring them with you to visit the nursery.

Thanks so much!

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For our Chinese customers, please join our new WeChat and Red Book social media channels for information on roses, peonies, succulents, Asian food plants, and much more!

Update Your E-Newsletter & Alert Subscriptions

You can manage your subscriptions to our E-Newsletter and occasional subject-based Alerts at any time by clicking on the "Update Profile" link at the bottom of every E-News and Alert. The E-Newsletter comes out twice a month. The 20 different Alerts come out occasionally when we have something exciting to tell you:

Happy Gardening!