Tenne Select: hardy plant selection (2004)
Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa)
Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa) is such a goofy sounding name for such A terrific plant! This fast growing annual showers your sunny beds endlessly with profuse numbers of small round blooms in shades of pink, lilac, lavender, rose, strawberry red, purple, white, even orange. Incredibly drought tolerant and pest resistant, this plant’s only foe is too much water. Gomphrena makes a great cut flower and dries beautifully, retaining both its color and shape. Compact forms are also available if the plant's normal height of two to three feet is not compatible with your design needs.
Cheddar Pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus)
Cheddar Pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) are a tough group of Dianthus that perform beautifully in your perennial border or as hardworking groundcovers. The usually fragrant blooms may be white, but are more often a variety of pink shades, from magenta to misty. That’s not the whole show, however. The foliage is low and grass-like, making a dense, evergreen groundcover, with lovely bluish or silvery hues. Very drought tolerant, these plants like a site with lots of sun, and excellent drainage. Watch for vole damage, but otherwise, pests and disease aren’t problems.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that deserves wider use in the general landscape. It quickly becomes a cheerful evergreen groundcover that often have burgundy tones in the winter landscape. In late spring, the pink to purple blooms can be quite showy, especially with certain cultivars, and are extremely popular with our insect friends. Oregano has no problems as far as pest or disease, and only requires that you site it in a soil that drains quickly, with lots of sun. Oh, and of course, don’t forget its culinary charms!
Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia davidii)
Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia davidii) are aptly named. All summer, and into the fall, the long, colorful flower spikes are heavily visited by a variety of butterflies, and other fascinating insects. Bloom colors are most often in the pink, lavender, or purple range, though white and even a yellow may be found. Plants bloom best in full sun, though tolerate some shade, and like a well drained soil. Expect a trouble free shrub that will average six to eight feet, but doesn’t resent pruning a bit. The new shoots that quickly regenerate will soon be sporting new blooms.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a beautiful native tree that gives you early spring bloom of the palest pearl, and apricot fall color. Plus, its fruit, the size of small blueberries, are relished by birds. Serviceberry will occasionally reach thirty feet in the wild, but you may expect something smaller in the landscape. This graceful tree tolerates both shady or sunny sites, though a sunny site will produce more bloom. Serviceberry is not picky about soils.