A Plant Introduction Program
       for the Mid-Atlantic and beyond......

Plants of Merit for 2009

It is our plan to introduce the following group of plants for sale in the spring of 2009:

Plants of Merit

• Cercis chinensis ‘Don Egolf’, Chinese Redbud
• Helleborus x hybridus Pine Knot Strains, Lenten Rose
• Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’, Oakleaf Hydrangea
• Ilex x ‘Virginia’, Holly
• Thuja x ‘Steeplechase’ (PP), Arborvitae
• Buxus x ‘Green Velvet’, Boxwood
• Stokesia laevis ‘Peachie’s Pick’, Stokes’ Aster
• Musa basjoo, Hardy Banana

 You can see that some of these plants are already in the market and some are relatively new.  Again we want to point out that Beautiful Gardens™ will include both new plant introductions and what the committee feels are high quality plants that are underutilized at this time.

Outstanding Features: Loads of flowers surround the stems of this small tree each spring. As a bonus, this cultivar produces NO messy seeds!

Uses: Specimen tree; woodland understory tree; container plant

Blooms: small rosy-purple flowers in abundance in March or April

Size: Small stature vase shaped tree that matures at 10-12 feet tall.

Planting & Care: Easy to grow in sun or shade in humus-rich soil with even moisture.

Hardiness Range: Zones 6-9                Back to Top

Outstanding Features: Seed strains developed by Dick & Judith Knott Tyler of Clarksville, VA for their superior range of flower colors and types. Evergreen perennial unpalatable to deer & voles.

Uses: Mass plantings; groundcover; mixed borders

Blooms: Rounded 1-2 inch flowers appear in mid to late winter and last until May in colors ranging from green, white, pink, burgundy, yellow and deep purple and almost black – with or without spots. Can be single, semi-double or, occasionally, double

Size: Grows 12-18" tall by 18-24" wide with shiny dark green leaves

Planting & Care: Plant in well-drained humus-rich soil. Drought tolerant after established. Part sun or shade. Cut foliage back in fall to make blooms show off better.

Hardiness Range: Zones 4-9                Back to Top

Outstanding Features: Absolutely the most gorgeous Oakleaf Hydrangea for the garden. Outstanding fall color as the textured leaves turn shades of red, orange and purple. Dried flowers are showy and useful in dried arrangements.

Uses: Deciduous shrub to mix in shady moist areas of the border

Blooms: 10-15" spectacular flower trusses appear to be double and droop gracefully

Size: Plants grow to 6-8’ tall by 8-10’ wide

Planting & Care: Prefers moist loamy soil and partial shade. Prune immediately after blooming for tighter form.

Hardiness Range: Zone 5-9                Back to Top

Outstanding Features: Fast growing pyramidal tree displays heavy clusters of bright red berries in the winter

Uses: Evergreen tree used in groups, for screening or as a specimen

Blooms: Not showy female, followed by large clusters of berries

Size: Upright pyramidal maturing at 30-35’ tall by 10-15’ wide

Planting & Care: Will grow in most soils as long as it is well drained

Hardiness Range: Zones 6-8                Back to Top

Outstanding Features: Fast growing evergreen that is a new and improved sport of ‘Green Giant’, exhibiting a more dense growth habit and more feathery soft foliage. Unpalatable to deer.

Uses: Fast hedge; screening

Blooms: Not grown for its inconspicuous flowers

Size: Grows to 30-40 ft. tall by 8-12 ft. wide

Planting & Care: Prefers full sun and well-drained fertile soil with even moisture.

Hardiness Range: Zones 5-9               Back to Top　

Outstanding Features: Rounded evergreen shrub more drought tolerant than Japanese holly and tougher than English & American boxwood. Has excellent winter color and is less likely to produce late season growth that is subject to freeze damage.

Uses: Hedging; foundation plantings

Blooms: Grown for its foliage

Size: Makes a rounded shrub 4-5 ft. tall by 4-5 ft. wide

Planting & Care: Prefers well-drained, humus-rich slightly alkaline soil and even moisture, but will tolerate a wide range of conditions with winter bronzing only occurring in the windiest of poor sites. Sun or shade

Hardiness Range: Zones 5-9                Back to Top

Outstanding Features: A superior selection of a very easy to grow perennial. This one grows in dense, tight clumps, blooms longer than others and has larger flowers. Strong upright stems are good for cutting

Uses: Wonderful "weaver" and mixer for the flower border

Blooms: Large 2 ½ " flat blossoms in the softest true blue, starting in June and continuing into the fall if spent blooms are deadheaded

Size: Clumps 18-20" tall by 18-24" wide

Planting & Care: Plant in full sun or light shade in any soil.

Hardiness Range: Zones 5-9               Back to Top

Outstanding Features: Vigorous clump forming perennial that does not have to be dug up and stored each winter; bold tropical appearance

Uses: Tropical gardening; around pools or outdoor summer living areas

Blooms: Does not always bloom and is not grown for edible fruit

Size: 10-15 ft tall in summer; dies back in winter

Planting & Care: Can be grown in sun or part shade in a wide range of conditions. Best to plant in spring or early summer and mulch well the first few winters until established.

Hardiness Range: Zones 6-10                Back to Top

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Last modified: 5/9/08