PLANTS WE LOVE
THE BLUEGRASS STATE’S BLUE RIBBON
EACH YEAR, a panel of Kentucky plantspeople come together to choose—after some debate—a handful of trees, shrubs and perennials to highlight as particularly valuable players in the gardens of the Bluegrass State (and beyond). The agreed-upon species and cultivars are added to the list of Theodore Klein Plant Award winners, which has been growing since its 1999 inception.
To achieve the status of Theodore Klein winner, a plant must thrive in Kentucky’s climate, which tends to see hot, humid, rainy summers and cold, wet winters. Special consideration is given to plants developed by Kentuckians. Klein himself was a plant breeder and nurseryman whose Crestwood farm became Yew Dell Botanical Gardens after his death in 1998 at age 93.
‘GREENSLEEVES’ CHINESE DOGWOOD
CORNUS KOUSA ‘GREENSLEEVES’
‘Greensleeves’ is touted by the Theodore Klein judging panel as, among dogwoods, “one of the best cultivars on the market today.” It’s a small tree, topping out at about 20 feet tall with a similar spread to its crown. In late spring, lime-tinged white bracts unfold around its buttonlike green fertile flowers. These petal-like bracts fade to creamy white and stand out against the clean dark green foliage, then drop away as the tree ripens rounded, pale red fruits that attract birds. The thick leaves develop gorgeous red and purple shades with the onset of autumn.
HOW TO GROW IT: This quick-growing ornamental tree will grow well in part shade, but it prospers in full sun. In either location, it remains highly resistant to disease and it adapts to a wide range of soils. USDA Zones 5–8.
JAPANESE BEAUTYBERRY
CALLICARPA DICHOTOMA
Arching stems provide a mounded skeleton for this small ornamental shrub, which matures to about three feet tall and wide. In late spring to summer, clusters of delicate pink flowers line the branches, popping against the bright green foliage. Come autumn, brilliant purple fruits develop where the flowers once clung, drawing birds and small wildlife and inspiring the plant’s common name.
HOW TO GROW IT: Beautyberry can grow in light shade, but its stems may become leggy and its fruiting, sparse. For the best performance, site it in full sun. Once established, this shrub can tolerate drought, and it is deer resistant, too. Because the bloom occurs on the year’s new growth, any pruning should occur in late winter or early spring, before the flower buds appear. Plant it in multiples for the best fruit production. Zones 5–8.
KODIAK DIERVILLA
DIERVILLA KODIAK SERIES
The Kodiak diervillas are three cultivars bred from North American native species. Named for their foliage color, all three—Kodiak Red, Kodiak Orange and Kodiak Black— show eye-catching leaf hues in both spring and fall. Dainty yellow flowers appear in summer. They grow to a rounded three to four feet tall and wide and make for easy low hedging or accent.
HOW TO GROW IT: The Theodore Klein judges noted not just the beauty of these shrubs’ foliage, but also its resistance to disease and deer. Kodiak diervilla takes full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soils. Once established, it tolerates drought. Zones 4–7.
‘FIRST LIGHT’ SWAMP SUNFLOWER
HELIANTHUS ANGUSTIFOLIUS
‘FIRST LIGHT’
A compact selection of a native perennial sunflower, ‘First Light’ bears a heavy crop of two-inchround, golden flowers in autumn. While the species reaches ten feet tall, ‘First Light’ tops out at about four feet, and half as wide. Combined with its gorgeous bloom, this size recommends it for placement with ornamental grasses, asters and other fall-garden favorites.
HOW TO GROW IT: Site it in full sun. This deer-resistant perennial likes moisture and can take damp soil, but it is also adaptable to other conditions once established. Leave the stems standing in fall, as birds will partake of the seeds. This plant is also sold as H. salicifolius ‘First Light’. Zones 5–10.
‘RUNNING TAPESTRY’ FOAMFLOWER
TIARELLA CORDIFOLIA
‘RUNNING TAPESTRY’
Here’s a Theodore Klein Plant Award winner for the shade garden. A selection of a North American woodland perennial, ‘Running Tapestry’ reaches 10 inches tall and spreads by stolons to serve as a groundcover. Its bright green leaves bear deep red markings through summer, with this color becoming more intense after frost arrives. Spring sees spikes of frothy white flowers hovering above the foliage and attracting early pollinators.
HOW TO GROW IT: Provide part to full shade, rich soil that’s high in organic matter and even moisture. Deer and rabbits usually avoid browsing on foamflower. Zones 4–9.
Note: Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), covered in our prior issue, also received a Theodore Klein Plant Award for 2022; its details can be found on page 35 of Horticulture January/February 2022 and at http://www.hortmag.com/plants/ mountain-mint.