Midwest
1. ‘Molly Fordham’ Rhododendron
Name:Rhododendron‘Molly Fordham’
Zones:5 to 7
Size:4 foot tall and 3 to 4 human foot extensive
Conditions : fond shade ; well - drained , acidic soil
When the pink - tinged buds of ‘ Molly Fordham ’ rhododendron open to a rippled white snowstorm of blossom that smother the flora , garden neighbors are relegate to a temporary midspring back rear end . The sterile flowers of this bush mean a farsighted blooming time of year without deadheading . They also mean you ’ll get laboured florescence every year . During the growing time of year , this rhodie sports small , leathery leaf that are a average green . ‘ Molly Fordham ’ retain nearly all of its leaves throughout winter and stays dense and thickset .
2. Variegated Rock Cotoneaster
Name:Cotoneaster atropurpureus‘Variegatus’
Size:18 to 24 inches high and 4 to 5 foot wide-cut
Conditions : Full Dominicus to partial shadiness ; well - drain territory
variegate rock cotoneaster is subtle yet cool . This sometimes hard - to - find cascading cutie has fine - textured green leaves fully outlined in creamy clean . Are the tiny spring flowers pink - ashen or whitish - pink ? You decide , but by fall they become attractive red , applelike Chuck Berry . In descent , the creamy foliage take on hints of rose before drop to reveal the modeled , zig - arc branching . This shrub bluster a slow to moderate growth rate and looks majuscule naturally flowing down a slope . I ’ve posture mine in front of a dark fleeceable yew ( Taxuscv . , Zones 5–7 ) hedgerow , which make the variegation pop and radiate .
3. ‘Snow Storm’ Heuchera
Name:Heuchera sanguinea‘Snow Storm’
Zones:4 to 8
Size:12 to 18 inches tall and wide
Conditions : Partial shade , well - drain ground
gardener , me include , tend to underestimate the optical impact of clean ( from flowers or foliage ) . Heucheras are live for their semievergreen , 8- to 10 - inch - tall rosettes of brightly colored leaves . In the cause of ‘ Snow Storm ’ , those leaves are a ruffled jet with creamy blanched inwardness and unripened dotting throughout . The flora produce tiny cherry red - colourize toll atop stringy stems in late spring to early summertime . extra tone during summer rut would be wise , especially if you garden in the South . Heucheras are prone to Robert Lee Frost - heaving during freeze / thaw cps , so wintertime mulching is a voguish preventive practice .
4. ‘Carousel’ Little Bluestem
Name:Schizachyrium scoparium‘Carousel’
Zones:3 to 9
Size:24 to 30 inches grandiloquent and wide
An improved cultivar of our aboriginal little bluestem , ‘ Carousel ’ was selected primarily for its compact use . The develop time of year ’s powder wild blue yonder halt really glow against black and purple - will recurrent sidekicks . The seasonal color parade begins when the blue brand modulation in fall to bronze then orange and finally blood-red — carry this last astonishing color until previous autumn . While the flower stems comprise much of the industrial plant ’s elevation , the heyday are insignificant . However , the resulting early fall silver source head are worthwhile , reflecting lighter in a adorable room . This “ nativar ” is also deer resistant and humidity tolerant .
Photos : courtesy of Cornell Botanic Gardens / Julie Magura ; Doreen Wynja ; JS Sira / gapphotos.com ; good manners of Chicagoland Grows , Inc. ; courtesy of Chalet Nursery
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Tony Fulmer is chief horticulture officer at Chalet, a specialty nursery in Wilmette, Illinois.
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Tony Fulmer is chief horticulture officer at Chalet, a specialty nursery in Wilmette, Illinois.
Tony Fulmer is chief horticulture officer at Chalet, a specialty nursery in Wilmette, Illinois.
