January 3, 2022
Our first plant of the month for 2022 has been this year's selection for the Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association. One of the dominant grass species in the North American tallgrass prairie Little Bluestem makes a big statement in the naturalized garden. The upright blades of grass are slender and clump forming providing a display of colors throughout the seasons. Starting with blue-green, to blue-gray, purple and pink hues in the summer months to a splendid copper painted with mahogany, red, and orange in the fall and winter months Little Bluestem does not disappoint. The feathery white seed heads appear in the fall, sparkling under the autumn sunlight all the while providing food source to the local songbird. As well as serving the birds with sustenance, Little Bluestem also plays host to many insects, butterflies, and moths.
A sturdy and reliable grass, Little Bluestem is low-maintenance and tolerant of poor soil conditions. It performs best in prairie-style landscapes mixed in among perennials such as Aster, Coneflowers, Calamintha, and other grasses.
Rock Gardens, Meadows, Prairie-style gardens, and naturalized areas. Best in groupings or massings.
Named “Hosta of the Year” in 2001, June hosta is one of our favorites to add to a shady garden.
Caradonna salvia, a member of the Sage family, is a medium size perennial that grows in clumps, has gray-green foliage, and reaches about 12 inches in height.
If you are looking for a versatile, low maintenance, fuss-free shrub, look no further. Low scape hedger chokeberry offers this and more.
Lenten roses, also known as hellebore hybrids, offer color and beauty to an early spring landscape.