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Regional Picks: The Experts’ Top Ten Plants – Southeast

Fine Gardening - Issue 143

Southeast

 

No. 1

‘Liberty’ hosta (Hosta ‘Liberty’)

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Size: 20 inches tall and 3 feet wide

Conditions: Partial shade or morning sun; moist, well-drained soil

You won’t need a plant tag to distinguish this hosta from the rest. With its thick leaves and wide, creamy gold margins, ‘Liberty’ hosta has killer curb appeal all season long. Plus, it’s easy to grow, slug resistant, and more sun tolerant than non­variegated varieties.

 

2. ‘Carolina Moonlight’ false indigo (Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’)

Zones: 3 to 9

Size: 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; dry to slightly moist soil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Tropicanna® canna (Canna indica ‘Phasion’)

Zones: 8 to 11

Size: 5 feet tall and 18 inches wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; rich, moist, well-drained soil

 

4. ‘Maestro’ sedum (Sedum ‘Maestro’)

Zones: 3 to 8

Size: 30 inches tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

 

 

5. Variegated water iris (Iris laevigata ‘Variegata’)

Zones: 3 to 9

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; moist to wet soil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. ‘Minnie Pearl’ phlox (Phlox ‘Minnie Pearl’)

Zones: 4 to 9

Size: 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; fertile, well-drained soil

 

 

 

 

 

7. Variegated Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’)

Zones: 3 to 8

Size: 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, fertile, well-drained soil

8. ‘Thailand Giant’ elephant’s ear (Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant’)

Zones: 8 to 10

Size: 9 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

9. Wright’s dropseed (Sporobolus wrightii)

Zones: 5 to 9

Size: 5 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; dry to average soil, tolerant of alkalinity

10. Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica)

Zones: 5 to 9

Size: 2 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to bright shade; moist, fertile, well-drained soil
 

Tony Avent owns Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Photos, except where noted: Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.; courtesy of Kathie Sisson; Michelle Gervais; Jennifer Benner; author, courtesy of Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.
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