New, drought-proof plants arrive in 2019

    Here are the new introductions of 2019 — five new plants including two reintroduced winners from previous years which are drought-tolerant shrubs and a new tree introduction. Plant Select offers the most practical plant material for our area. More and more, we need drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plants that endure our climatic extremes.
    SteppeSuns™ Sunset Glow Pineleaf Penstemon, Penstemon pinifolius “P019S” is one that does well in a dry garden. It has orange blossoms on a mounding plant. This is a great plant for pollinators and hummingbirds. It grows in any soil. Pineleaf Penstemon gets 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide.  Pineleaf Penstemon just needs its dead flower stems trimmed in the spring. This can be a long-lived perennial.
    Windwalker® Desert Rose, Salvia lemmonii “PWINO4S” is a hardy and reliable perennial.  This plant attracts hummingbirds because of the nectar. This plant blooms from spring through fall. It has bright pink blossoms and glossy green foliage. It is 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide. It would go well with Pineleaf Penstemon. In the spring, cutting back the dead stems hard is required. It is also required if you want continue blossoms from May through October.
    GRANITA® Orange ice plant, Delosperma ‘PJS02S’ is another orange flowering selection for the dry garden and a great groundcover that is only 2 inches tall and 14 inches wide. It is a great nectar plant for the bees. It spreads aggressively. It needs sandy or loam soil that is well-drained.  There is no maintenance required for this plant.
    UNDAUNTED® Alpine Plume Grass, Achnatherum calamagrostis “PUND02S” is a grass with silver plumes on top of stems that are 24 inches tall and the plant itself grows to 3 feet wide. The stems need to be cut back in spring. Any heavy snow will damage the stems during winter. It needs loam and/or sandy soil for growing healthy plants. This grass loves a dry garden. It needs full to partial sun. Grasses are great for softening hardscapes.

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