On Monday I posted about 5 Plants I Want in Every Garden. In case you missed it the post was about plants that should I ever move I will plant again in the new garden. As several of the commenters pointed out it’s hard to just pick five. With that in mind I’ll add four more to my list. Neither this post, nor the last one list these plants in any order of preference. Every plant has a purpose and each has its own unique attributes that make it worthwhile in my garden and while I have favorites, I don’t have a favorite!
Here are five more plants I’m a huge fan of! Maybe these posts will get you through until your favorite mail order garden catalogs arrive!
Salvia
Salvia is all over my garden. The ‘Caradonna’s in front, ‘May Night’ by the mailbox, Salvia greggii in the back, Salvia coccinea in the self sowing areas, Salvia elegans (Pinapple sage) in the birdbath garden, and Black and Blue all over. I added ‘Hit Lips’ this year along with a Salvia verticillata ‘Purple Rain’. You can never have too much salvia! And no I don’t have any Salvia divinorum.
Viburnum
The ‘Shasta’ viburnum in the picture is an awesome plant but I like all my viburnums. I have quite a few arrowwood viburnums as they are easy to propagate in addition to a Viburnum burkwoodii. I also have a few snowball viburnums that layered off another plant.
Oak Leaf Hydrangea
The leaf shape, flower panicles, and fall color all make the oak leaf hydrangea worthy of my garden. It can also tolerate more sun than other hydrangeas do.
Sedum
What drought tolerant garden would be complete without a sedum? In the picture is a dragon’s blood sedum which unfortunately nearly died out last year. ‘Autumn Joy’, ‘Blue Spruce’, ‘Xenox’ and a few other miscellaneous sedums inhabit the gardens. Sedums are so easy to care for if given good drainage.
Russian Sage
You need a little space to grow Russian sage but it is one very cool plant. Russian sage is another deer resistant plant which is absolutely necessary if you want to maintain your sanity in deer territory. It’s beautiful, drought tolerant, nearly 100% deer proof, and in my garden! How cool is that?
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A couple of these are a little more tricksy (marginal hardy for oak leaf hydrangea, need real good winter drainage for Perovskia) but otherwise, yes, yes, and yes. I include a number of native viburnums here as well as the fancier ones, and they all serve a purpose quite nicely.
Like you Dave I would have to have my Coneflowers and Heuchera's. Your Salvia looks so lovely but I love the viburnum. When I see it I always long for more land. LOL! Maybe I should move.
Viburnum burkwoodii – truly a favorite here! Have you noticed it reseeds easily? So you can have many (and/or share them)!
I love the Oak leaf Hydrangea. It's on my list for 2012.
All manner of sedum is important … I think I'm agreeing with you. 🙂
Thanks Jodi! The Russian sage does need good drainage so a soggy cold winter might not be the best for them. I would still plant it everywhere I could, and probably try some places it should go along the way!
Lona,
Viburnums are so beautiful in spring! I'm a fan of the coneflowers and heucheras too. Great plants!
SG,
So far I haven't been fortunate to have any baby Burkwoods growing around. Eventually maybe! Definitely go with the Oak Leaf hydrangea.