‘Easy, Breezy Plants’ That Respond Well To Light Maintenance

lea (Rhododendron arborescens), “like a little bit of sun only. You can’t fry the natives.”

Sweet azalea, she said, “has a fabulous fragrance, and will grow about three to five feet.” Sweet azalea is a Green Ribbon Native Plants 2022 Awards winner.

Another native she discussed, this one the Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year 2022 winner, was Little bluestem ‘Standing Ovation’ (Schizachryium scoparium).

“Look at those things, standing at attention,” Ballato said, sharing a photo of the colorful ornamental grass. Requiring full sun, the grass grows as tall as 36 inches, and will eventually need to be divided, she said.

The Garden Club of America Plant of the Year 2022 Montine McDaniel Freeman Medal winner was Woodland phlox ‘Blue Moon’ (Phlox divaricata). Another native, Ballato said this plant offers “lovely ground cover, better than creeping phlox, so dense weeds don’t come through.

“It really hugs the ground beautifully,” she added. Peppers are good deer repellent plants.

“Deer do not take to most peppers,” Ballato said.

Her program included Hot pepper ‘Buffy’ and Pepper ‘Dragonfly,’ both All-America Selections 2022 winners; and Pepper ‘Candy Cane Chocolate Cherry,’ a Green Thumb Award winner.

Ballato liked five different roses: Rose Pink Freedom (Rosa) and Pretty Polly Pink (Rosa), both American Garden Rose Selection (Northeast Region) 2022 Award winners; and Pink Freedom (Rosa), Rose The Champion (Rosa) and The Grand Champion (Rosa), each honored for American Rose Trials for Sustainability.

Her favorite among the aforementioned is Pretty Polly Pink, which she called “a rock star, a continual bloomer we’ll see more frequently in garden centers because they’re such winners.”

A close second was Rosa Pink Freedom, “which begins with a tea rose look and keeps winning awards.”

Now is a good time, she pointed out, to start working on roses for summer bloom.

One of the most resistant plants, rhododendrons, was also covered by Ballato, who said the ground cover “can be cut practically to the ground and they’re going to regenerate.”

The presentation closed with the America Hosta Growers Association 2022 winner, Hosta ‘Island Breeze.’

“This is a winner with a lot of winning characteristics including some interesting markings,” Ballato said. The plant’s strong leaf means it’s susceptible to slugs, unfortunately. ‘Island Breeze’ does very well in shade gardens, however, “and can do a lot with contrasting foliage,” she pointed out.

As she worked briskly through her presentation, Ballato presented photos of every plant on a large screen in the front of the full room. Many of the 60+ people in attendance took notes, and asked quick questions, gaining a few additional bits of information while not slowing the pace of the program.

In addition to plant-specific advice, she offered general garden thoughts.

“Make a plan,” she said. “Start small. Don’t try to do a whole garden in one season.”

Ballato also suggested going with the popular KonMari Method, which encourages people to keep things that speak to the heart.

“Is there a plant that’s too challenging? Doesn’t give you joy? Let it go,” she said. “Donate it. Garden clubs often love receiving plants for members or sales.”

Donating plants rather than simply discarding in a pile, she said, is a humane way to dispose of an unwanted plant. All gardening should be enjoyable, she said. Whether going with something easy breezy or challenging, Ballato said the bottom line is, “Enjoy your garden!”

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com

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