2020 Plant Favorites

So I am sure you have seen many “favorites” or “trending” posts this year and every other year, but here is one more.

Here are some of my personal favorites.  I am highlighting 1 tree, 3 shrubs, 2 ornamental grasses, and 4 perennials. Although these plants grow throughout the USA, my talking points are specifically for the Colorado Springs and Front Range Region.

The Tree

FAT ALBERT SPRUCE

    • this is a smaller version of the Colorado Blue Spruce, with the similar tell-tale blue needles and pyramidal shape
    • NOTE this tree is still has a medium watering need like the Colorado Blue Spruce
    • a great point for this tree is that it is accepted in most HOA’s and covenant communities in the Colorado Springs Metro area

Shining Shrubs

ROSE OF SHARON

    • give this lovely shrub room as it can fill in a space very well
    • the Rose of Sharon would love a low spot in your yard or next to your fence/property line
    • beautifully large flowers in mid-summer when most other shrubs are finished blooming or haven’t started yet

KOREAN SPICE VIBURNUM

    • sweet, sweet-smelling when in bloom
    • semi-evergreen habit
    • drought-resistant once established and very hardy shrub

EMERALD N GOLD EUONYMOUS

    • great broadleaf evergreen to add year-round color without needing the typical needle-like evergreen
    • perfect for shady and semi-shady areas
    • named for its yellow edges on brilliant green leaves

Gracious Grasses

MORNING LIGHT MAIDEN HAIR GRASS

    • pretty pink-red plumes in the late-summer to fall
    • soft leaves that fountain as they mature
    • is a great backdrop for colorful perennials or statues in your garden

BLONDE AMBITION GRAMA GRASS

    • very hardy ornamental grass, this is a PlantSelect winner
    • delicate texture
    • is another great backdrop for colorful perennials or statues in your garden

Flourishing Flowers

STELLA D ORO DAYLILY

    • long blooming (typically May – September)
    • one of the hardiest daylilies
    • great border plant

BEEBALM

    • many varieties and sizes but all are hardy and drought-tolerant once established
    • great mid-summer blooming perennial when most other plants are not in bloom
    • pollinator-friendly

FIRE SPINNER ICE PLANT

    • evergreen habit making it a great edge plant
    • blooms all summer long (typically beginning of May through October)
    • multiple colors in one bloom (yellow to orange to red to purple)

HUMMINGBIRD CARPET/HUMMINGBIRD MINT

    • semi-evergreen habit and low-growing so it is a great edge plant
    • long-blooming
    • very hardy, another PlantSelect winner

Think about adding these to your landscape to add show-stoppers to almost any yard.  Happy Gardening!

-Chelsa, owner and designer of CS Apex Landscape Design