Lovely plants to consider in 2009

A year after the major drought of 2007 robbed gardens of healthy blooms, I captured eight great looking, interesting plants that seemed no worse for wear in 2008. Here are some suggestions for a Happy New Year in the 2009 garden.

• Peppermint Stick Tulip, Tulipa clusiana: This is a charming species of tulip that pops up in the early spring garden. It grows 8-10 inches.

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Martha Tate

Arborvitae fern (Selaginella braunii). This is the plant pick for Jan. 1, 2009.

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Martha Tate

One catalog suggests that the fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua, ‘Leslie Ann’, is the ‘perfect gift’ for sasanqua lovers.

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Martha Tate

Dog-toothed Violet is a native plant.

• Hardy oleander and agave: I snapped up this combination in the roadside garden at Randy’s Perennials & Water Gardens in Lawrenceville. Great for a tropical look.

• Ninebark: One online catalog calls Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’ “gorgeous.” In May and June, white corymbs of flowers contrast with purple foliage. In the Pacific Northwest the leaves turn almost black. Here, the foliage will green out as the summer goes on. Still, this is a lovely version of a native shrub for May and June.

• Orange Scotch Broom: Cytisus x dallimorei ‘Lena’ is a cheerful German selection that is eye-catching to say the least. Bright yellow, orange and red blooms cover the thin stems in May and June. Excellent for cutting. In Cindy Brady’s Roswell garden, the broom is near a bright blue bench.

• Trout lily (a.k.a. Dog-toothed Violet): What a treat to walk out and discover these fascinating native plants. The yellow flowers were peeping out of the ground in Milton Kuniansky’s garden in spring.

• Dark Loropetalum: Michael Dirr introduced me to Loropetalum ‘Ever Red.’ I paired it with Forsythia ‘Gold Leaf.’ The leaves of ‘Ever Red’ are a black-burgundy color and stay that way all summer long.

• Fall Sasanqua: Margaret Moseley’s October garden looks like spring, due to her huge collection of fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua. A fairly new acquisition for her is ‘Leslie Ann.’ One catalog suggests this pink and white selection is the “perfect gift” for sasanqua lovers.

• Plumed Celosia: What a treat to visit Cindy Franck’s eclectic vegetable-flower garden in Commerce. This energetic gardener had planted a tall orange Celosia plumosa that was striking next to some rustic birdhouses.

MARTHA’S PICK

Arborvitae Fern

Botanical name: Selaginella braunii

About the plant: This is neither a fern nor an arborvitae, but it does resemble both with its lacy, evergreen fronds. The plant spreads by rhizomes and will form attractive colonies. Native to China.

Use in the garden: Lovely as a woodland ground cover. Looks great spilling over rocks.

Planting and care: Plant in semi-shade in moist, well-drained woodland soil.

Source: Plant Delights Nursery Inc., 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh 27603; 919-772-4794; www.plantdelights.com

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