Plants of Merit 2009

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  1 of 9

  Midknight Blue agapanthus

  Midknight Blue agapanthus, A perennial with bright blue flowers that bloom heavily from mid- to late summer. Use: among perennials or on the front edge of flower border Care: full sun and well-drained soil SIZE: 12- to 16-inch stems

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  2 of 9

  Chinese redbud Don Egolf

  Chinese redbud Don Egolf, A small, vase-shaped sterile tree - no messy seeds or unwanted seedlings. Use: specimen tree, woodland understory tree, container plant Care: easy to grow in sun or shade in humus-rich soil with even moisture SIZE: 10 to 12 feet

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  3 of 9

  Green Velvet boxwood

  Green Velvet boxwood, A rounded evergreen shrub with the look of English boxwood, but it's easy to grow. Use: hedging, foundation plantings Care: wide range of conditions SIZE: four to five feet tall and wide

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  4 of 9

  Virginia holly

  Virginia holly, A fast-growing native, this sun-lover is nearly spineless and remarkable for the sheer numbers of berries. Use: evergreen tree used in groups, for screening Care: will grow in most soils as long as it is well drained SIZE: matures at 30 to 35 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide

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  5 of 9

  Musa basjoo

  Musa basjoo, A hardy banana tree. Use: tropical gardening; around pools or outdoor summer living areas. Care: sun or part shade Size: 10 to 15 feet tall in summer; dies back in winter

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  6 of 9

  Pine Knot Strains hellebore

  Pine Knot Strains hellebore, A drought-resistant evergreen perennial in a range of flower colors (pale yellow to deep purple) and forms that appear in mid-winter and last until May. Use: mass plantings, groundcover, mixed borders Care: well-drained, humus-rich soil in part sun or shade SIZE: 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide

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  7 of 9

  Snowflake oakleaf hydrangea

  Snowflake oakleaf hydrangea, A deciduous shrub with huge 10- to 15-inch flower trusses and great fall color. Use: back of the border or woodland Care: moist loamy soil and partial shade; prune after bloom for tighter form SIZE: six to eight feet tall and eight by 10 feet wide

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  8 of 9

  Steeplechase Master Plant 2009 Steeplechase Master Plant 2009

  Steeplechase, A fast-growing evergreen and example of new and improved Green Giant arborvitae with a dense growth habit and feathery foliage. Use: screening and hedges Care: full sun SIZE: 30 to 40 feet tall by eight to 12 feet wide

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  9 of 9

  Peachie's Pick stokesia

  Peachie's Pick stokesia, An easy-to-grow perennial with large blue flowers on sturdy stems. Use: flower border Care: full sun or light shade; deadheading prolongs bloom SIZE: clumps 18 to 20 inches tall and 20 to 24 inches wide