April 02, 2007

LINCOLN, Neb. — The 2007 GreatPlants are tough ornamental plants, ideal for the rigors of the Great Plains. The Ohio buckeye tree and Regent serviceberry shrub offer spring blooms followed by ornamental – and for serviceberry, edible and highly nutritious – fruits. For perennial and grass, Fireworks goldenrod and Korean feather reed grass are dramatic in late summer and fall.

The 2007 GreatPlants releases are a dwarf, long-flowering primrose and a silvery, fine-textured peashrub with large flowers and deep red seed pods.

"We're promoting these plants because of their ornamental qualities, but for me their most important attribute is how drought-tolerant they are once established," said Bob Henrickson, coordinator of the GreatPlants program.

Tree of the Year – Ohio Buckeye, Aesculus glabra

Attractive dark green leaves give this medium-sized native tree a lazy, tropical appearance in summer. In early spring, 7-inch greenish-yellow flower stalks stand out against the backdrop of new leaves. Tan, leathery seed pods are ornamental long after the leaves fall and deeply fissured bark gives it a handsome, coarse winter habit. This durable tree can handle a variety of soil types and site conditions. Grows 30-40 feet high and 25-30 feet wide and is hardy to zone 4.

Shrub of the Year – Regent Serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent'

A nicely shaped shrub with attractive white flower clusters in early spring, the 'Regent' cultivar was selected for its high quality, extra sweet, dark fruit clusters in June. Serviceberry fruit is high in vitamin C, calcium, iron and antioxidant compounds and similar to blueberry in looks and taste. Handsome, oval leaves on this suckering shrub turn yellow/red in autumn. Adaptable to dry or wet soils and full or part sun and can tolerate heavy clay. Grows 4 feet high, 3 feet wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Perennial of the Year – Fireworks Goldenrod, Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

The sparkling golden-yellow flower spikes of this highly rated goldenrod cascade to resemble a fireworks show in late summer to fall. Shrub-like shape of this clump forming species is ornamental all season and the sturdy stems cannot be pulled down by the extra weight of flowers or overhead irrigation. Fine-textured leaves emerge burgundy in spring and are dark green in summer with minimal browning at the base of the stems. 3-4 feet high and wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Grass of the Year – Korean Feather Reed Grass, Calamagrostis brachytricha

This strong, upright grass is effective as a specimen, en masse or as a container plant. Glossy green foliage is topped by feathery inflorescences in fall. The heads are tinted red-purple in September and fade to silver-gray, remaining open and feathery even when dry. Grows to 4 feet tall in flower. Easy to grow in a variety of soils and in part or full sun if provided with consistent moisture. Hardy to zone 4.

2007 GreatPlants Releases

Prairie Lode Toothed Evening Primrose, Calylophus serrulatus 'Prairie Lode'

The toothed evening primrose, also known as dwarf sundrops or yellow primrose, is a low, shrubby, woody-based perennial native to dry prairies. Abundant butter-yellow, cup-shaped flowers are open all day and bloom mid-spring to late summer. Likes lean, well-drained soil. A good shearing in late spring keeps it tidy and loaded with flowers. This spreading groundcover grows only 6 inches high; great for rock gardens, dry border fronts or prairie areas.

Mongolian Silver Spires Littleleaf Peashrub, Caragana microphylla 'Mongolian Silver Spires'

Sparkling, ferny silver leaves of this durable shrub offer a fine-textured companion to the abundant 1-inch yellow flowers in spring. Smooth, narrow seed pods turn rich red color in summer. This 8-9 foot tall xeric shrub with spiny stems and upright, arching habit offers a natural buffer for a hedge, low windbreak or living fence. Adaptable to adverse sites. Hardy to zone 2.

4/2/07-KL/DM

Contacts:

Karma Larsen
Nebraska Forest Service
Communications Associate
(402) 472-2971

Dan Moser
IANR News Service
(402) 472-3007

Department:
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum