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July 29, 2010

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P. Allen Smith's "Hot 25" Plants for 2010

Gardening expert P. Allen Smith is a renowned and respected authority when it comes to plants. So when he makes a recommendation, you can be sure it will be a winner in your garden. The following Proven Winners plants have been named his "Hot 25" for 2010. He will be showcasing theses superior varieties in magazine articles, during book tours and TV appearances, and on his website, where they will also appear as his Top Picks for 2010.

These plants have been chosen for their visual color and impact, superior performance, and low maintenance. You can find each of them at Vite Greenhouses. Ask for them on your next visit.

Show Plant List

Common Name
Botanical Name
Cultivar
Description
Thumb-
nail Image
Flower Color Foliage Color Annual/ Perennial Exposure Bloom Season Height Spread Hardiness Zone
(See Map)
Container Size Greenhouse Location
Spring Summer Autumn
Early Middle Late Early Middle Late Early Middle Late
Abelia (Fragrant) Abelia mosanensis
1.  Fragrant Abelia 
A hardy, fragrant Abelia! Wonderfully fragrant, rich pink flowers. The fragrance is better than a Lilac! The blooms adorn this plant from late May to early June. The glossy summer foliage turns an attractive orange-red in autumn. Click to display 'Fragrant Abelia' tag image 5'-6' 48"-5' 5 10" Green 9C-South
Agapanthus Agapanthus
2.  Storm Cloud 
Large cobalt blue flowers rise far above the foliage on blackish stems in summer. Click to display 'Storm Cloud' tag image 12"-18" 36" 7-10 8" Mocha 3B-North
Agave Agave bovicornuta
3.  Reggae Time
'Raggae Time' sports leaf edges that are clothed with highly decorative, dark brown teeth that curve both away from and back towards the center of the plant. There are two types of teeth which make the leaf edges quite unusual. Click to display 'Reggae Time' tag image n/a 12" 12" n/a Gallon White 7D-South
Ageratum ('Artist®' Series) Ageratum 
4.  Artist Blue
Has an open habit with radiant clusters of fuzzy flowers on compact plants flowering May through October. Click to display 'Artist Blue' tag image 7"-9" 10"-12" 9-11 4½" White 1C-South
5.  Artist Blue Violet
Has an open habit with radiant clusters of unusual, bicolor blue violet fuzzy flowers on compact plants. Flowers May - October. Click to display 'Artist Blue Violet' tag image n/a n/a 12"-18" 18" 10 4½" White 1C-South
6.  Artist Purple
A little gem of a plant that continuously produces masses of purple pink flowers. Click to display 'Artist Purple' tag image 8"-12" 10"-12" 9-10 4½" White 1C-South
7.  Artist Rose
True rose-pink color with an upright, full habit; flowers all season long; low maintenance. Click to display 'Artist Rose' tag image 8"-12" 10"-12" 9-10 4½" White 1C-South
Alkanet Anchusa capensis
8.  Blue Angel 
Blue Angel has great vivid ultra-marine blue flowers on plants with a bushy habit make this wariety ideal for garden borders and mass plantings. Early blooming and extremely long blooming time for any perennial. Click to display 'Blue Angel' tag image 12"-15" 12"-15" 3-8 4" Green 5A-North
Brunnera macrophylla
9.  Emerald Mist
This new sport of 'Jack Frost' has more silver barring with with the bars connecting to form a silver collar around the perimeter of the leaf. In addition, there is a very light dusting of silver over the entire leaf surface. Click to display 'Emerald Mist' tag image 12"-15" 12"-15" 3-8 10" Green 11B-South
10.  Hadspen Cream
Light green leaves with wide, irregular, creamy yellow margins characterizes this variety of Brunnera. Though somewhat hard to find in garden centers, this plant is worth searching for. It is strikingly beautiful, especially when planted en masse. Click to display 'Hadspen Cream' tag image 12"-15" 12"-15" 3-8 10" Green 11B-South
11.  Variegata
Bold, irregular, creamy white leaf margins that simply glow in the shade characterize this lovely Brunnera. This one will really light up the shady corners of your garden; some leaves can be almost entirely white! Click to display 'Variegata' tag image 12"-15" 12"-15" 3-8 10" Green 11B-South
Aloe Aloe hybrid
12.  Pink Blush
The textured, dark green and light green leaves with raised pink ridges make this a unique plant. Clumping growth habit. Click to display 'Pink Blush' tag image n/a 8"-14" 8"-14" 9-11 4½" White 7D-South
Alumimum Plant Pilea cadierei
13.  Aluminum Plant 
Fast-growing plant with green leaves quilted in silver. Click to display 'Aluminum Plant' tag image n/a 12" 6"-8" n/a 4½" White 3B-South
Alyssum Lobularia hybrid
14.  Snow Princess
This sterile Lobularia is extremely vigorous, and beacuse it puts no energy into setting seed it has an incredibly long bloom time. Creates a beautiful hanging basket or window box and is a perfect filler in combination. New in 2010. Click to display 'Snow Princess' tag image 14"-20" 14"-20" 9-11 4½" White 2B-North
Lobularia maritima
15.  Clear Crystal Mix
Clear Crystal is more vigorous with larger flowers than Easter Bonnet. Gardeners and landscapers will enjoy the fragrant, large blooms and stronger performance in containers and in-ground plantings. Click to display 'Clear Crystal Mix' tag image 6"-10" 6"-10" n/a Flat 8D-South
16.  Clear Crystal Purple Shades
Clear Crystal is more vigorous with larger flowers than Easter Bonnet. Gardeners and landscapers will enjoy the fragrant, large blooms and stronger performance in containers and in-ground plantings. Click to display 'Clear Crystal Purple Shades' tag image 6"-10" 6"-10" n/a Flat 8D-South
17.  Clear Crystal White
Clear Crystal is more vigorous with larger flowers than Easter Bonnet. Gardeners and landscapers will enjoy the fragrant, large blooms and stronger performance in containers and in-ground plantings. Click to display 'Clear Crystal White' tag image 6"-10" 6"-10" n/a Flat 8D-South
18.  Easter Bonnet Deep Rose
Tidy, 3-4" bedding plants are matched in both habit and flowering for easy scheduling. Compact, uniform and early blooming, this series does exceptionally well from pack to garden. An excellent edging plant. Click to display 'Easter Bonnet Deep Rose' tag image 4"-4" 9" n/a Flat 8D-South
19.  Wonderland Copper 
3" dwarf series with uniform timing and compact plant habit. Fragrant flowers give a bright, colorful show. Flowers are rose-pink shades with yellow tones. Click to display 'Wonderland Copper' tag image 3"-3" 9" n/a Flat 8D-South
20.  Wonderland White 
3" dwarf series with uniform timing and compact plant habit. Fragrant flowers give a bright, colorful show. Click to display 'Wonderland White' tag image 3"-3" 9" n/a Flat 8D-South
Amethyst violet, Bush viole Browallia
21.  Marine Bells
Ideal for hanging baskets, tubs and mixed containers, the free-flowering, vigorous plants have attractive 1.5-in. blooms. Click to display 'Marine Bells' tag image 15"-15" 9" n/a Flat 8D-South
Anagallis Anagallis monellii
22.  Angie Upright Blue
This anagallis monelli type displays vivid blooms on an upright plant habit. Angie has excellent heat tolerance and it won't set seed, so consumers can enjoy a striking color show all season long. Click to display 'Angie Upright Blue' tag image 18"-20" 12"-18" n/a 4½" White 1C-South
Anagallis ('Wildcat®' Series) Anagallis hybrid
23.  Wildcat Blue
More compact and earlier to bloom, these true-blue flowers meander beautifully with other sprawlers, like Helichrysum 'Licorice'. Click to display 'Wildcat Blue' tag image 6"-12" 12" 9-10 4½" White 1C-South
24.  Wildcat Mandarin
Early flowers with large ocher-colord flowers all season. Click to display 'Wildcat Mandarin' tag image 6"-12" 12" 9-10 4½" White 1C-South
Anemone (Japanese) Anemone x hybrida
25.  Whirlwind
Pure white, semi-double flowers measuring 4 in. across top very tall stems beginning in late summer. Try planting anenomes with other fall bloomers such as mums, asters, snakeroot, and Sweet Autumn Clematis. Click to display 'Whirlwind' tag image 36"-48" 24"-36" 5-8 8" Green 11C-North
Anise Hyssop Agastache
26.  Black Adder
A long-flowering cultivar, 'Black Adder' produces strong, bottlebrush-like stalks of light violet blue flowers which emerge from darker purple buds. It starts to bloom in midsummer and continues until early fall. Click to display 'Black Adder' tag image 24"-36" 18"-24" 6-9 8" Green 11C-South
Apple Malus
27.  Braeburn 
Braeburns are sweet with a hint of tart, and a firmness that stores well. These traits plus the fact that they bake well have made them a very versatile apple. Click to display 'Braeburn' tag image n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 Gallon Trees
28.  Empire 
Empire apples have a smooth texture and ripen in mid-September. Empire is a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious and takes on the best characteristics of both. It is excellent for eating out of hand and in salads and for use in baking and cooking. Click to display 'Empire' tag image n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 Gallon Trees
29.  Honeycrisp
An exciting apple that is exceptionally crisp and juicy. Flavor is sweet but well-balanced. Excellent storage life, up to 7 months. Has been rated equal to or higher in overall quality than Haralson, Honeygold or Keepsake in winter storage trials. Click to display 'Honeycrisp' tag image n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 Gallon Trees
30.  Jonathan 
Jonathan apples are a tart firm apple that ripens in mid-September. The Jonathon is a dual-purpose variety suitable both for fresh eating and for processing. This crimson apple has a spicy tang that blends well with other varieties in sauces and cider. Click to display 'Jonathan' tag image n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 Gallon Trees
31.  McIntosh
Requires pollinator. A well-known older apple that has a sprightly flavor and a medium storage life. Nearly solid, bright red skin. Heavy bearer. Good for eating and baking. Fruit tends to drop when ripe. Click to display 'McIntosh' tag image n/a n/a 15'-20' 15' 4-7 5 Gallon Trees
Apple (Combination)
32.  Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold 
This single tree has a branch of each variety grafted on. Fun! Click to display 'Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold' tag image n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 Gallon Trees
33.  Red McIntosh, Yellow Delicious, Gravenstein, Fuji 
A single tree has branches grafted on with each of the listed varieties (one branch pre variety). Novel! Click to display 'Red McIntosh, Yellow Delicious, Gravenstein, Fuji' tag image n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 Gallon Trees
Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis
34.  Techny Gold ('Walter Brown')
Techny Arborvitae has long been regarded as the hardiest, most rugged of all the Arborvitae. Now we have Golden Techny, a golden sport with the same hardiness. A major breakthrough in Gold arborvitae! Click to display 'Techny Gold ('Walter Brown')' tag image n/a 10'-15' 5'-6' 3 10" Green 9C-South
Asparagus Fern Asparagus densiflorus 
35.  Sprengeri
Delicate, bright green, needlelike leaves on arching stems with a trailing habit. This fern will create a dense fluffy look in containers. Click to display 'Sprengeri' tag image n/a 12"-24" 12" 9-10 4" Green 3D-South
Aster Callistephus chinensis
36.  Thousand Wonders Mix
 
Ideal dwarf asters for containers. The double 3" flowers create a mound of vibrant color in the pot and a dense carpet in flower beds. Large flowering. Click to display 'Thousand Wonders Mix' tag image 7"-8" 6"-7" 5 4" Green n/a
Aster (Alpine) Aster alpinus
37.  Alpine Mix 
Lavender, blue and pink flowers, May-June Click to display 'Alpine Mix' tag image 12" 15" n/a 4" Green 5A-North
Aster (Hardy) Aster novi-belgii
38.  Believer
 
The variety Believer is a early, deep purple flowering Aster   18"-24" 18"-24" 3-8 8" Green n/a
39.  Henry III
Dark purple double flowers on well mounded plants. Late natural season response matches Marie III and Peter III and the peak of the garden mum season. Click to display 'Henry III' tag image 18"-24" 18"-24" 5 8" Green 12B-South
40.  Peter III
Dark purple double flowers on well mounded plants. Late natural season response matches Marie III and Peter III and the peak of the garden mum season. Click to display 'Peter III' tag image 18"-24" 18"-24" 5 8" Green 12B-South
Aster (Japanese) Kalimeris yomena
41.  Shogun
A variegated relative of the aster, 'Shogun' has narrow, olive-green leaves edged in and splashed with golden yellow in the springtime. As the season progresses, the leaves age to green and creamy white. Small, pale lavender, aster-like flowers are produc Click to display 'Shogun' tag image 16"-24" 18"-24" 4 8" Green 11C-North
Aster (New York) Aster dumosus
42.  Wood's Blue
Densely packed clusters of clear light blue flowers provide outstanding color in the garden from late summer into fall. 'Wood's' selections have shown excellent resistance to mildew and rust. Dwarf, compact habit. Click to display 'Wood's Blue' tag image 12"-16" 15"-20" 3-8 8" Green 12B-South
43.  Wood's Purple
Densely packed clusters of charming purple, semi-double flowers provide outstanding color in the garden from late summer into fall. 'Wood's' selections have shown excellent resistance to mildew and rust. Dwarf, compact habit. Click to display 'Wood's Purple' tag image 12"-16" 15"-20" 3-8 8" Green 12B-South
Astilbe (Chinese) Astilbe chinensis
44.  Valerie
Soft bluish-purple plumes are dense and blocky. Heavy bloomer; blooms in midsummer. Large, bright green leaves are coarse in texture. Great in containers or in the garden. Click to display 'Valerie' tag image 18"-20" 12"-15" 4-9 8" Mocha 11B-North
Avens Geum
45.  Fireball
'Fireball' has large golden yellow semi double flowers picoteed in red, a compact habit and reblooms. This plant will brighten any border. Very showy and easy to grow. Click to display 'Fireball' tag image 24"-36" 18"-24" 5-9 8" Green 12C-North
46.  Mai Tai
The burgundy purple calyx opens to reveal ruffled, apricot flowers with a rose blush. They lighten to peach as they mature. The semi-double to single flowers measure up to 1½ inches across and are perched atop burgundy purple stems. Click to display 'Mai Tai' tag image 16"-18" 14" n/a 10" Green 12C-North
Geum chiloense
47.  Double Bloody Mary 
Grown for attractive hairy foliage and long blooming cheerful flowers in summer. Saucer shaped flowers are held high above foliage on long erect stems. Click to display 'Double Bloody Mary' tag image 18"-24" 12"-18" 5-8 4" Green 6B-North
Azalea Rhododendron
48.  Bollywood
Bright neon red-pink flowers engulf this compact semi-evergreen Azalea in spring. Vivid, glossy, silver and dark green variegated foliage supplies the color the rest of the year. Click to display 'Bollywood' tag image 18"-24" 18"-24" 5 10" White n/a
49.  PJM Compact
A compact, densely branched variety with masses of lavender flowers providing a spectacular show in spring. The glossy, dark green foliage turns a rich mahogany in fall and is slightly longer and narrower than PJM. Click to display 'PJM Compact' tag image 36"-5' 48"-6' 4-7 3¾ Gallon Trees
50.  PJM Nicki
    n/a n/a n/a 4-7 3¾ Gallon Trees
Common Name
Botanical Name
Cultivar
Description
Thumb-
nail Image
Flower Color Foliage Color Annual/ Perennial Exposure Early Middle Late Early Middle Late Early Middle Late Height Spread Hardiness Zone
(See Map)
Container Size Greenhouse Location
Spring Summer Autumn
Bloom Season

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