A look at some of the perennial runners-up for plant of the year
Over the past 10-plus years, the Perennial Plant of the Year Committee has considered many plants. Recently we reviewed past nominees and found that several plants made it to the short list more than once. Committee members may have been passionate about the plant, but it didn’t meet all the criteria for the Perennial Plant of the Year: suitable and reliable in Calgary growing conditions, not overused, readily available in garden centres and reasonably affordable to purchase. Three plants that made the runners-up list are Hepatica, Cushion Spurge and Lamb’s Ears. We hope that gardeners are inspired to give them a try.
HEPATICA
Hepatica is a hardy perennial that tolerates an extended winter with no irreparable damage and requires little to no maintenance, making it great for beginners. However, Hepatica can be hard to find as it is one of the first plants to flower in spring and its blooms are usually spent by the time the plants are displayed in garden centres, making it hard to sell.
Flowers of the Hepatica are commonly bright blue or lavender, but they can also be white or pink. What appear to be the petals are actually sepals, with three bracts surrounding the singular flower, extending 12—15 cm above the ground on a hairy stem. The flowers open fully on sunny days among the drab greys and browns of early spring, but on cloudy days, the subtle elegance of the partially opened blooms is still spectacular.
After the blooms are finished, the leaves emerge. The basal, leathery and usually three-lobed leaves appear furled at first, then open to a shiny, bright green display, darkening as they mature. Occasionally, Hepatica can be inspired to flower again in autumn.
Hepatica is a lovely garden plant for shady locations with rich, moist, organic soils. However, it can tolerate alkaline, limestone-derived soils, sandy or clay-rich soils and deeply shaded to full sun locations. You will definitely notice it while you’re out for an early spring stroll! Colleen Tanner
CUSHION SPURGE
Cushion spurge (Euphorbia polychroma) and the burgundy-leaved cultivar Euphorbia polychroma ‘Bonfire’ are frequently proposed as contenders for the Calgary Perennial Plant of the Year. Indeed, cushion spurge, a zone 3 plant, is certainly a stalwart perennial for Calgary gardens. Brilliant, eye-catching colour early in spring is the hallmark of this bushy, domeshaped plant. While the flowers are inconspicuous, the plants are covered in extremely showy and long-lasting bright yellow bracts. Once the bracts fade, cushion spurge remains as a great filler or background plant for the rest of the summer, as it stays compact and mounded (height: 30—45 cm with a spread of 45—60 cm) and, if winter doesn’t arrive too quickly, the foliage will turn a gorgeous red colour in autumn.
It is water-wise, deer and rabbit resistant and will grow in full-sun or part-shade. Ann Van de Reep
LAMB’S EARS
This is a wonderful perennial ground cover for a droughttolerant garden and is definitely worthy of Perennial Plant of the Year runner-up status. The soft, silver, furry leaves of Stachys byzantina have earned it the moniker “lamb’s ears.” Leaves can reach 7.5-cm long, on plants approximately 5- to 7.5-cm tall. Its spread is approximately 150 cm but can be more if it likes its situation.
It grows best in full sun and tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as it is fairly dry and well-drained. While this low maintenance plant occasionally seeds itself, it never becomes a nuisance. It is deer and rabbit resistant.
In midsummer, tall, erect terminal spikes with insignificant purplish-pink flowers emerge. These are a pollinator’s dream and a bee magnet. A bench set close by encourages the gardener to just sit and enjoy the show.
Stachys byzantina would be a wonderful addition to a child’s garden or a sensory garden, as its leaves beg to be stroked. An edging of lamb’s ears will make the garden pop. The soft, silver hairs on the leaves reflect the light and can be used to great effect in foliage-centred containers or garden schemes. It pairs well with pastel pinks, yellows and blues but also holds up well with bolder-coloured companions. Elaine Rude
If you would like to learn more about the Calgary Horticultural Society and gardening in Calgary, visit our website calhort.org — become a member and come grow with us!