Plants of the Week: September 28

Salvia discolor

I have a growing appreciation for salvias. Many are fantastic late summer bloomers that help bring a burst of much-needed color to the garden. Salvia flowers range the gamut of colors including near black, a rare color seen in the blossoms of Salvia discolor. Native to Peru, Salvia discolor is also sold as concolor sage for its bicolor leaves – green on top, silver underneath. Flowering occurs throughout the growing season. While never blooming in copious quantity, the unusual flower color coupled with the dramatic leaf coloration make this a fun and unusual salvia worthy of growing. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Nicotiana langsdorfii

“Self-sowing” can be a curse in disguise! How many times has a self-sowing annual or perennial behaved beautifully one year, set seed, and then run amuck the next season? One reseeding annual I’m happy to see every time in the garden is Nicotiana langsdorfii. Lime green, pendant trumpet-like flowers grace 2’-3’ tall plants. The airy nature of the annual lends itself beautifully to growing among its neighbors. The sticky stems and leaves mean few pests or critters feed upon the plant. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Chionanthus virginicus

Chionanthus virginicus is a highly variable and adaptable native woody shrub. Highlights include fleecy panicles of white flowers in May and June, bold blue drupes (fruits) in September, and yellow-brown fall color. As with all seedlings, variation is great. Fringe tree is difficult to propagate via cuttings. Chionanthus virginicus is ideal as a woodland understory tree or back-of-the-border foundation planting. Photo credit: J. Coceano