A Plant
Introduction Program
for the Mid-Atlantic and beyond......
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A Plant
Introduction Program |
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Plants of Merit for 2010The plants that are featured below are the plants that the Beautiful Gardens™ Plant Introduction Program will be promoting as plants of merit in the plant promotion for 2010. We are looking for growers and garden centers to participate in this promotion program. If you are interested, contact Dr. Rumen Conev at ConevR@vt.edu Ht & W: 15 ft. X 18 ft.; fast growth rate Exposure: full sun or part shade; leaves are green in complete shade USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Flowers: small lavender pea-like flowers in early spring before leaves emerge Standout qualities: Showy foliage all season, even in the hottest part of summer; drought tolerant; adds another 7 months of gorgeous show to the garden; new leaves are red, but quickly turn gold. Discovered in Greensboro, NC, by John & Adrienne Roethling. Buxus sempervirens ‘Dee Runk’ American Boxwood Ht & W: 12 ft. X 2.5 ft.; medium growth rate Exposure: sun or shade USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Standout qualities: Superior upright form with dark green leaves; deer resistant; better growth habit than other upright clones on the market; excellent vertical accent for formal gardens, informal borders and containers. Highly praised by VA Nurseryman and boxwood researcher Paul Saunders.
Corylopsis pauciflora, Exposure: Shade – morning sun/-afternoon shade in rich acidic soil USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Standout qualities: This attractive deciduous shrub announces the onset of spring in an elegant display of light yellow flowers that dangle from the zigzag branches. Because it blooms so early and likes the shade, it mixes well with Hellebores, Primulas, early bulbs and Winter Daphne.  Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ Autumn Fern Ht & W: 2 ft. X 2 ft. Exposure: Part shade to light sun USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Standout qualities: Autumn Fern has always been loved as a tough (even drought tolerant) evergreen fern. This selection has new growth that is brighter red and lasts a little longer than spore grown plants. It is one of the most attractive ferns for the garden, as the leaves are a dark glossy green throughout the summer and winter. Then, the new leaves emerge each spring with the rich bronzy red leaves that later turn to bronze and then green again. Very versatile in the garden.
Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ Purple Pineapple Lily
Exposure: Full sun for best leaf color; will grow in shade USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a-9 Standout qualities: When your friends who aren’t gardening geeks see this plant, they say "WOW! What is that?" The striking purple strap-like leaves make quite an accent in the garden. Then the pineapple like bloom comes along in late summer and Wows you all over again. It is also good for pots in colder climates. This plant will grow in a wide range of soil conditions and is drought tolerant. Selected and introduced by plantsman Tony Avent, who has a long row of them planted at his gardens in Raleigh, NC. It is also good in a tropical garden.  Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’ Sweet Coneflower Ht. & W: 4-5 ft. X 2-3 ft. Exposure: Sun USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8 Standout qualities: August can be a dull month in the perennial border, but this unusual coneflower with quilled flowers can really brighten the days. It is an extremely drought tolerant streambank prairie native. Unusual and showy in flower. Foliage has a vanilla fragrance.
Ht. & W: 1 ft. X 1.5 ft. Exposure: Sun USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9 Standout qualities: This selection of our native bluestem (also known as Andropogon glauca) was chosen by Kurt Blumel for its attractive powder blue color. Drought tolerant and easy to grow, it is especially attractive in masses. In late summer, it stretches to 3 ft. tall and becomes willowy. Winter color is a rich russet.
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