American Wisteria
Editor’s Choice noteworthy plants T
hrough the years we have introduced a multitude of plants. From trees and shrubs, to annuals and perennials, the varieties are too numerous to recall in this space. However, there were a featured few that caught my eye. So much so that I have included them in my garden, or, in the case of tropicals, I have given them as gifts. The plants highlighted here are on my list of favorites and come to mind when a fellow gardener asks for a suggestion. Perennial climber American wisteria, Wisteria frutescens, native to North America is a preferred species here in Kansas City rather than the more aggressive Asian species. Fragrant and showy, they flower more reliably in our area in late May through June in sunny sites. When the garden conditions were right this season, mine rebloomed. It is unusual, yet delightful. My daylily collection continues to grow. This beauty Hemerocallis ‘Outrageous’ is vigorous and stunning in the garden. Blooms mid season, is drought tolerant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Zinnias are my new favorite annual. When I met ‘Zahara Double Raspberry Ripple’ a double two-tone flower that holds its flower pattern fairly well even during the dog days of summer, I knew I wanted more. Growing from seed has been fun and easy. This hardworking annual provided stunning color all season. In the houseplant category, Flamingo flower or painter’s palette is a very tropical looking flowering plant that will produce beautiful flow-
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September 2020 | kcgmag.com
ers all year long. This flowering plant is a bit on the larger size when full grown, however they will flower when young about 8 to 10 inches tall. Flowers range from white, pink, to red and last for weeks while more are produced. Anthuriums like to be allowed to dry between watering and misting helps to create the humidity they like. Remember, they are tropical after all. Place them in a bright window where flowering will be at its best. Nestle them in with your orchids, they will make a nice addition. One that I never tire of is the tropical bromeliad Aechmea. Well suited to grow indoors or out, they thrive in light shade or indirect sunlight. Mine has made a lovely centerpiece on the dining room table. Other than keeping water in its central tank at all times, the care is effortless. With so many to choose from, you’ll likely want more than one. Peonies are my garden treasures. From the hundreds of different peony varieties, there are a select few in my garden, due only to sunlight limits. Yumi Itoh Peony pictured here is an intersectional hybrid named ‘Yellow Doodle Dandy’ with exceptionally large blooms. Most of my peonies are tree form, rather than herbaceous, and always deliver enough blooms to bring indoors plus share with the neighbors. Hosta is another category of long-lived perennials that return year after year. These shade tolerant plants are known for their diverse foliage. The entire east side of our landscape is full of varieties like ‘June’, ‘Elegans’, ‘Guacamole’
Daylily Outrageous
Zinnia Zahara Double Raspberry Ripple
