Rare Plant Auction

Dan Hinkley donates rare plants for online auction

Auctions begin March 1, 2012 and end March 11, 2012

World-renowned plant explorer Dan Hinkley has generously donated two extraordinary plants for an auction to benefit the Elisabeth C. Miller Library in Seattle. Dan has been a long-time dedicated supporter of the library, and is allowing us to sell these treasures, with all proceeds to go to the library. The auction is being held concurrently with the annual Spring Plant Sale held by NHS on Friday, March 9 as a benefit for the Library.

The auctions for these two exceptional plants will be held on eBay. Links to the two auctions are below. This is a very special opportunity to add to your own collection, or even donate a singular specimen to your local botanical garden or arboretum.

Xanthocyparis vietnamensis

Opening Bid: $300, Click here for eBay

This is the most recently discovered conifer in the world and one that changed the face of taxonomy in the world of conifers (pictured right). The Alaskan Yellow Cedar is now Xanthocyparis nootkatensis, rather than Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, because of this discovery. It is extremely rare in the wild, with perhaps less than 20 specimens remaining. From Northern Vietnam. It is not in cultivation yet in North America.

This is a handsome species and has proven to be hardy in areas of England and mainland Europe—in the few areas where it has been tested that would equate to zone 7; it should be tough in the greater Seattle area. It also makes a very handsome container plant, forming a tight cone-shaped plant with blue-green foliage.

Colchicum speciosum ‘Turkish Delight’

Opening Bid: $200, Click here for eBay

This Colchicum (pictured right) was raised from seed from Dan’s collections above Trabzon in NE Turkey in 2000. It represents a bicolor flower that has not been seen in cultivation prior to this. Colchicums are popular across North America, from Vermont to California. There are few select forms available. This is an enormous departure from what is seen in cultivation.

Zones 5-10. Autumn blossoming with large pink cups throated in butterscotch yellow. Vigorous!