In the Heuchera category, Mt Cuba’s top picks included the cultivars Citronelle, Cajun Fire, Bronze Wave, Color Dream, Steel City, Caramel, Apple Crisp, and Frosted Violet. I can attest to the performance of Bronze Wave and Caramel and highly recommend them for your part shade space. Some claim Caramel’s peach tone is difficult to work with, but I find it to be a wonderful complement many plants in the landscape. I’m now inclined to add some of these other popular gems to my garden to replace some under-performers. The presenter’s favorite was Steel City, with unique blue green foliage, a dense habit, and a nice floral display. What’s unfortunate about Steel City is that it’s not yet commonly available. I can’t wait until it is!
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Heuchera ‘Bronze Wave’ |
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Heuchera ‘Steel City’ |
Adam Glas of the Scott Arboretum talked about Clematis and how it can be used beyond the mailbox. He suggested allowing Clematis to grow up the branches of a shrub or cascade over a wall that has been draped with hog fencing to enhance its ability to creep. Some of Adam’s favorites included Dutch Sky, Sweet Summer Love, I Am Happy, East River, Bagatelle, Blue Pirouette, Diamantina, Solina, Princess Kate, Zara and Mazowsze. I don’t own any of these cultivars, but like Adam feel I may go from having only a couple Clematis in my garden to having many. Why not?
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Clematis ‘Diamantina’ |
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Clematis ‘Dutch Sky’ |
I hope I have inspired you to March into Spring. It’s time to make your shopping list and head off to the garden center to purchase some new plant babies. The best part is knowing they are not only likely to survive, but likely to thrive in our Mid-Atlantic climate. Lucky us!
Thanks for sharing this information Carol. Good stuff and am glad to know that gardeners are sharing people at heart!
Thanks for reading John! Most gardeners I know do have big hearts and willingly share top picks, plants and knowledge. It's a wonderful community and one I'm proud to be a part of.