For our master gardener group meeting tonight, we are bringing lists of our top ten plants. The following are the plants that are some of my current favorites. I don't have any trees on the list, so I will have to provide a list of favorite trees later!
1. Mariesii Doublefile Viburnum
A great large shrub with clusters of brilliant white flowers sitting on top of horizontal branches (in May). Give it plenty of space, so you only have to trim out the occasional branch that goes astray. Leaves turn bronze in late summer and get brighter in fall. Viburnums are very happy in clay soil, so this is great for some of those problem areas (like my hillside). I also like Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’ for its clusters of flowers in the winter, followed by purple berries - and that it is evergreen.
2. Red-twig dogwood (red-osier dogwood)
A great native plant that you can put in just about any condition of soil or light. Like the double-file viburnum, give it space. The newer branches are a brilliant red, so prune enough to get plenty of color and for shape. You can easily start new plants by placing cuttings in the ground in early fall. They have clusters of small white flowers, followed by berries. Other terrific native plants include red flowering currant, ninebark, and elderberry.
3. Burning bush (Euonymus alatus)
Maybe this is ordinary, but it is a lovely shrub. It turns a striking red in the fall, and the green leaves in the spring and summer are very nice. As with the other shrubs listed, give it enough room, so you can enjoy its natural rounded shape. It will take pruning pretty well, but much nicer if it is placed where you don’t have to prune it.
4. Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
This abelia is compact and fits nicely into a landscape around perennials to give year-round structure and color to the garden. It has small, glossy, yellow leaves with green centers and a rosy orange-red blush. It is happy in full sun and part shade, but will be more colorful in the sun.
5. Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
If I can have one climbing plant, it will be a clematis. Plant in the sun with a tall structure to climb on. For a good-shaped plant, in early spring (or late winter) cut the vines back nearly to the ground, leaving at least one pair of healthy looking buds on the trunk.
6. Hosta ‘Gold Standard’
This hosta can’t be beat to light up a shady area – plant at least three. There are lots of great hostas, so plant a few varieties if you have enough shady areas.
7. Agapanthus
Any of the blue varieties are wonderful for the perennial bed. Big clusters of flowers rise above strapping leaves. Hummingbirds like them and will often find a perch on the stems. The leaves seem to be some of the longer lasting in the perennial bed. Plant agapanthus in full sun to partial shade in good well-drained soil. I haven’t planted them in pots, but understand they like to have their roots crowded and will bloom well in pots. I will this a try!
8. Liatris spicata
A perennial that fits in anywhere. Tall spikes of purple flowers bloom July to September. Full sun, well-drained soil. Easy to divide.
9. Heuchera
I like the purple varieties for the front of perennial beds in sun or part shade. They keep their leaves all year to provide some year-round structure in garden beds. Trim unsightly leaves. I often trim the flower spikes, as the leaves are the primary feature I want for my garden.
10. Hardy fuchsia
Select a variety that doesn’t get too large from among those that are the hardiest varieties. Some good choices include Santa Claus, Golden Herald, Army Nurse, Dying Ember, Flying Cloud, Pat’s Dream, Little Ronnie, Drame, Maxima, and Pixie. They bloom from July to November, giving that much-needed late summer and fall color. Hummingbirds love them. They work well in garden beds and in large pots.
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