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:
Yama Kagi Fullmoon Maple
Acer japonicum ‘Yama Kagi’
A stunning and shapely tree that is the ideal size for the home landscape, interesting in all seasons; large, deeply lobed leaves emerge lime green, turn a rich forest green in summer, then a stunning crimson-orange in fall
Blue Princess Meserve Holly
Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Princess’
One of the hardiest of the evergreen hollies, this is a large, spreading shrub with the traditional spiny blue-green foliage and showy red berries in winter; requires a male pollinator, often paired with Blue Prince
Twilight Zone Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Twilight Zone’
A great variety for hot, dry areas with consistent green-blue, ribbon-like foliage that takes on hues of violet-purple in fall; silvery white seed heads persist well into winter; an outstanding accent plant
Coralburst Flowering Crab
Malus ‘Coralburst’
One of the finest flowering crab selections, this is a dwarf variety featuring a froth of double coral-pink flowers in spring and reddish-orange fruit in fall; needs well-drained soil and full sun, the perfect focal point in a mixed garden composition
Oktoberfest Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Oktoberfest’
This variety has wide green foliage with white midribs; an upright cascading habit that is quite symmetrical; copper plumes rise above in fall over purplish-red foliage and produce creamy-tan seed heads; great winter interest