Every week we’re publishing a NEW Plant Picks of the Week story, showcasing our Plant Specialists’’ top plant picks. Get ready to be inspired!
We recently asked Leslie Hammond to share her top plant picks. Here’s what she had to say:
‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint
Nepeta hybrid
NEW 2021 Perennial of the Year
A long blooming perennial that’s perfect in small areas of the landscape. Indigo blue flowers are produced all the way from the soil to the tips, providing an intense splash of color when it’s in bloom. Rosy purple calyxes extend the color when the blooms are past peak.
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
A very popular and durable spire-shaped evergreen, excellent for articulation; interesting droopy branches when mature, rich deep green needles; tough and hardy, good for windbreaks, will grow quite large under the right conditions.
Invincibelle Mini Mauvette Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
This dwarf, rounded selection features enormous deep pink-mauve flower heads in summer, held upright on strong stems and lasting for a long time; prune to a few inches from the ground in spring; blooms on new growth; great as an accent or border plant
Fire Chief Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis ‘Congabe’
A distinctive landscape evergreen for color effect, featuring showy reddish foliage at the tips when grown in full sun; tends to be more greenish-orange when shaded; excellent for color accent use in home gardens and landscapes; protect from drying winds
Green Cascade Japanese Maple
Acer japonicum ‘Green Cascade’
Makes an exceptional landscape accent; may need staking when young to encourage weeping habit; keep moist as leaves tend to scorch in heat; brilliant yellow to orange/red fall color; attracts nesting birds; water more if grown in full sun