To hummingbirds' delight, cape fuchsia may survive wind

Q: I'm so interested in Phygelius aequalis, because they draw hummingbirds, that I purchased three large plants. I realized I had forgotten to check whether they are wind resistant. Our house is on the beach on Fidalgo Island.

The exposure is west, but the winds off the Sound are frequent. Is this still a good location for these plants, or must I move them to the back of the house where they are protected?

A: Phygelius are South African perennials that may die back to the ground in cold winters but usually remain shrubby. You can see their relationship to snapdragons and penstemon in the colorful, tubular flowers that drip from the branches, earning them the common name of cape fuchsia.

Phygelius are tough, vigorous plants, so I think they're worth a try on the windy side of your house. While they aren't included on any of the lists for especially wind-resistant plants, I also can't find any information about them not holding up well in the wind.

Shorter cultivars might do better, because the tall types such as P. x rectus 'African Queen' and 'Moonraker' can grow leggy so would be more susceptible to wind. Look for the more compact P. aequalis 'New Sensation,' with burgundy blooms, or P. x rectus 'Pink Elf,' which grows only about two feet high. All of these are attractive to hummingbirds, who flock to the flowers ideally shaped to suit their little beaks.

You might also take a look in the front of the Sunset Western Garden Book (revised and updated 2001, Sunset Publishing) for a lengthy list of plants for windy areas.

Q: I am wondering if you could provide me with a source for the ferns Dryopteris filixmax and for Polystichum setiaferum?

A: Source questions are tricky because nursery stock changes constantly, and the best bet is to call around to your favorite nurseries and check with the buyers. We are lucky to have so much fern expertise here in the Northwest.

The Hardy Fern Foundation (P.O. Box 166, Medina, WA 98039-0166; 206-870-5363; www.hardyferns.org) offers new members a Directory of Fern Gardens and Nurseries, and the group sponsors a fern festival in June where a great many types of ferns are available for sale.

Fancy Fronds nursery in Gold Bar (360-793-1472; www.fancyfronds.com) offers a dizzying array of ferns from around the world, and owner Judith Jones is a walking encyclopedia of fern facts and lore.

Valerie Easton also writes about Plant Life in Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine. Write to her at P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111 or e-mail planttalk@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.