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 Sarah Tjepkema to share her top plant picks. Here’s what she had to say:
Blue Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis
Extraordinary indigo blue spikes of pea-flowers rise above medium green foliage from late spring to early summer; creates an outstanding display as an accent in garden beds or patio containers; drought tolerant once established
Chitose Yama Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum ‘Chitose Yama’
Deeply cut foliage emerges crimson in spring turning to flat red, with stunning crimson fall color; gracefully cascading habit with age, a magnificent selection for the garden or small home landscape
Dark Mystery Hibiscus
Hibiscus ‘Dark Mystery’
Showy, gigantic, ruffled white flowers have a pink cast, with cherry red eyes, and dark pink veins; the flowers really make a bold statement when contrasted by the deep burgundy to near-black foliage; do not allow to dry to wilting point
Goldsturm Coneflower
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’
Goldsturm Coneflower has masses of beautiful gold daisy flowers with dark brown eyes at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its serrated pointy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.
Rheingold Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’
A compact pyramidal evergreen shrub with dense golden spray-like foliage turning yellowish-brown in winter; ideal size for home gardens and shrub borders, fuzzy foliage has a notably fine texture; best with some sun, protect from drying winds