CYCADS FOR SALE NEW-ZAMIA SALE --see below
We grow all our own plants from seed, obtained from around the world. Species are specially selected for three purposes: to be cold-hardy in the nursery's West Coast zone 8(b) climate; to perform well as conservatory or greenhouse specimen plants in other Canadian zones; or to be suited to the rigours of the Canadian indoors as houseplants.
By growing our cycads from seed the resulting plants are bred for Canadian conditions from day one; unlike plants imported from Florida or California, which can suffer from shock when suddenly brought into our cooler northern temperatures.
That's why we say these are "Cycads for Canada"!
Prices reflect the rarity and age of the plant. All plants are at least three years old unless otherwise noted. Large specimen plants come with a permanent copper plant label.
Dioon Edule
Dioon edule -- So named because it was once used as a food source, this Mexican cycad has some beautiful leaf colour variations, from light green, to sage, to blue-gray, depending on the variety. It is stunning even as a seedling. Although it can live to be 1,500 years old and eventually achieve a trunk height of three metres, this medium-sized cycad is very slow-growing, so it will not soon outgrow its pot. Suited to temperate climates, D. edule is able to withstand a light frost (down to about minus 6 Celsius) and full sun once well established. Reputedly resistant to mealybugs, it also makes a great indoor plant, either in the house or conservatory. $49 and $59.
Cycas panzihuaensis
Cycas panzihuaensis - Originating in Szechuan, China, this is reputedly the most cold-hardy of all cycads, to -7 Celsius. It is also very tolerant of periods of dryness. Until recently, this species was virtually unknown outside China. Leaf colour is a breathtaking deep green/blue. A small to medium-sized cycad, it is easy to grow but requires excellent drainage, and will do well in partial shade to full sun. Male cones smell like licorice! The conservation status of this species is considered threatened. Six-year-old plants in two-gallon pots, $96.
Dioon spinulosum
Dioon spinulosum - This easy to care for and fast-growing cycad from Mexico has large, gracefully arching, gray-green leaves and fuzzy stems. The large seeds (the size of pigeon eggs) have been used historically as a food source, being ground into flour, and the resinous sap, called chicalitos, chewed as a gum. D. spinulosum is one of the most trouble-free cycads when given warm, humid conditions in partial shade or filtered sun. It can only take a few degrees of frost (to -3 Celsius) but thrives indoors in the house or conservatory. Large six-year-old specimen plants, $99; two-year-old seedlings, $29.
Macrozamia communis
Macrozamia communis - A medium-sized cycad from Australia, this cycad promises to be a good species for the outdoors here on the West Coast of Canada as its native habitat has a climate similar to ours. It is hardy to -4 Celsius. It also makes a good specimen for containers, doing exceedingly well in cultivation. Leaves are a verdant dark green with cream-coloured bases. M. communis displays an interesting cycad trait in having contractile roots that pull the stem into the soil, leaving only the full crown of leaves exposed. It prefers a sheltered location in full sun or partial shade, and tolerates some frost. $69 and $99.
Cycas sexseminifera
Cycas sexseminifera - This charming and very rare plant is one of the smallest species in the Cycas genus and virtually unknown outside its native northern Vietnam, where it grows in the cracks of steep limestone cliffs with almost no soil. Preferring light shade, C. sexseminifera makes an excellent bonsai specimen. Leaves are a deep, glossy green, with emergent leaves densely covered in brown hairs. Only two six-year-old plants available, $175 each.
Zamia furfuracea
Zamia furfuracea (also known as Zamia maritima) - The "fur" refers to a soft, reddish fuzz that covers the elliptical leaflets. This exotic-looking cycad has proven to be a great houseplant, tolerant of dry indoor conditions and low light levels. Native to Mexico, where it grows in coastal sand dunes exposed to salt spray, it has a very rapid growth rate for a cycad, and in optimum conditions can produce cones within three years. Z. furfuracea is a popular landscape plant in California and Mediterranean countries, where it withstands several degrees of frost and full sun. Year-old seedlings, $15.
Zamia vazquezi
Zamia vazquezi - Growing in the deep shade of the cloud forests of Veracruz, Mexico, this small, delicate-looking cycad with a subterranean stem matures quickly and produces cones at an early age. Emerging leaves are pink to purple, mature leaves are a papery light green with an upright, bamboo-like growth habit reaching one metre (three feet) in height. When grown outdoors it will tolerate mild frosts but will lose all its leaves, which will be replaced in spring. Kept evenly moist it grows well in containers in the house or conservatory. With their small size and adaptability to low light conditions they are one of the best cycads for indoor culture, preferring a very open potting mix. $59.
Zamia variegata (a.k.a. Zamia picta)
Zamia variegata - (photo courtesy of C. Kyburz) A medium cycad with a subterranean trunk, this is the only variegated cycad. Leaves are oblong, lanceolate, thin-textured, yellowish to bluish-green with white or cream patches or spots, reaching six feet in height. Native to Chiapas, Mexico, western Guatemala and southern Belize where it grows in rainforests, it requires warm, humid conditions with free air movement and light shade, and must be kept indoors over winter in our Canadian climate. An absolutely stunning cycad, very rare in cultivation. Three-year-old seedlings, $79
Zamia integrifolia (a.k.a. Zamia floridana)
Zamia integrifolia - This small cycad with subterranean stems produces young leaves covered with short, rusty-brown hairs. Mature leaves are dark green and stiff, flat, with four to ten leaves in each crown. It is endemic to Florida, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands, where it grows in a wide variety of habitats and soils. A very hardy and adaptable species suitable to warm temperate climates, they will survive in a sheltered location in colder regions but are probably best as a pot plant that is brought indoors over winter. The seeds of this species were formerly the source of Florida arrowroot and the original Arrowroot cookie! The wild population status is now threatened, due to overharvesting in the early 1900s. Two-year-old seedling, $28
Zamia polymorpha A very interesting small cycad native to Belize, with subterranean stem and lanceolate, leathery, glossy green leaves. It's name, polymorpha, refers to its extreme variability in form. Easily grown in cultivation, they apparently cone freely and set seeds readily. An ideal cycad for the indoors that may provide a few surprises. Year-old seedling, $28
Zamia (species) "Mexico" A newly discovered and as yet un-named species from Mexico, this cycad is not yet represented in any botanical or other garden in the world. Isn't it wonderful to know there are still new species being found in remote regions of our planet? These seedlings are a verdant, glossy green and should show the typical Zamia traits. Give it your own name! Year-old seedling, $15.
Zamia fischeri This diminutive cycad sports a barrel-shaped trunk only 15 cm long and 8 cm wide. The small, delicate-looking leaves appear in clusters of three to 10 on each plant, only 20 cm long. In its native Mexico it grows in the shade of subtropical to warm temperate evergreen forests. Its small size makes it very suitable to container growing, and fischeri is one of best zamias for indoor enjoyment. Often confused in the trade with Zamia Vazquezi, which is similar but larger, this dwarf species is very rare in cultivation. Two-year-old seedling, $25.
ZAMIA SPECIAL: Create your own cloud forest cycad collection or share with your friends: Four Zamia furfuracea and four Zamia species "Mexico" for $100 (save $20).
CYCAD COMPANION PLANTS: (plant a Jurassic garden!)
Wollemia nobilis
Wollemia nobilis - Known previously only through fossil records, the "Wollemi Pine" was discovered in 1994 growing in a remote rainforest gorge in the Wollemi National Park in Australia and caused an international stir. This ancient conifer, along with the cycads, was the food of the dinosaurs. Related to the monkey puzzle tree and Norfolk Island pine, it is hardy to -12C outdoors. It also does well indoors as a potted specimen in well-lit situations. A Certificate of Authenticity and National Geographic booklet on cultivation information accompanies the tree, which is 16 to 24 inches tall, $99.
Ginkgo biloba Although not a cycad, Ginkgos also have an ancient lineage dating back to the Jurassic era, and make superb companion plants for cycads. In prehistoric times it grew world-wide but today its natural range is limited to only two small areas in China. Once thought to be extinct they were found growing in monasteries in China where they had been carefully preserved over the centuries. A medium-sized tree with unique, fan-shaped, lime green leaves that turn pure gold in fall. One-year old seedlings, $15.
Brahea armata
(blue vesper palm) Gorgeous pale blue fan-shaped leaves, this palm is hardy to -11C when mature. As with cycads this palm must have excellent drainage and be protected from excess wet over winter. $35
SEEDS - SOLD OUT
Macrozamia communis (see description above) $5 each, or $30 for 10 seeds.
Lepidozamia peroffskyana, named in honour of Leo Alexejewitsch Perowski (1792-1856) of the St. Petersburg, Russia botanical garden where the type plant was grown. This is a fast-growing, medium-sized to large cycad with dark green, glossy leaves and makes an excellent tub plant for well-lit situations indoors. Seeds $10 each, or 10 seeds for $60 (not including shipping)
Contact us at info@jurassicplantsnursery.com for a shipping quote. We accept personal cheques (preferred) and Paypal if time is of the essence.
Check back regularly for we are always adding new species as they become available.
Antique botanical print of Cycas bellefonti, from L'Illustration Horticole (1868)