Each year the Nebraska Nursery & Landscape Association chooses a tree, shrub, perennial and ornamental grass of the year. These are new or under-utilized plants that merit wider use in Nebraska. Working in cooperation with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, the plants are brought into large-scale production and made available to the public through garden centers and nurseries. Five great plants promoted by this program in 2008 are American Hophornbeam, Lacebark Pine, Eastern Wahoo, Prairie Smoke and Blue grama. Try one of these ‘Great Plants’ in your landscape this year!
American Hophornbeam, Ostrya virginiana, is a graceful medium-sized native tree with many horizontal branches and stems often forming interesting zig-zag pattern. Its sinewy bark and catkins add winter interest. Hop-like fruits are produced in summer, along with heart-shaped leaves that feel like felt to the touch and change to yellow in the fall. American hophornbeam is slow growing during establishment, but once established makes good growth and resists ice, snow, insects and disease. Its adapted for use throughout the state. Height 30-40', width 20-25'. Hardy to zone 4.
Lacebark Pine, Pinus bungeana, is one of the most beautiful pines; the bark on this small tree flakes away creating a patchwork of white, green, and purple. Its lustrous, deep green needles are stiff and sharply pointed. This slow growing pine prefers well-drained, dry soils and full sun. It is pyramidal when young, often with many trunks growing into an open, picturesque specimen with age. Height 30-40'. Hardy to zone 4.
Eastern Wahoo, Euonymus atropurpurea, is a native shrub often referred to as “burning bush” due to its orange-red fall color. Attractive rosy-pink fruit capsules are long lasting, persisting into winter. This is one of our most shade tolerant woody shrubs, yet it grows well and becomes an attractive, dense specimen in full sun. Adaptable to most soils and pH levels. Height 8-12'. Hardy to zone 4.
Prairie Smoke, Geum triflorum, is a distinctive native perennial of the northern plains that has small purplish-red nodding flowers in early spring. The flowers are soon followed by feathery silver and pink seed heads, which persist for many weeks. The attractive, deeply cut leaves look great for the rest of the season. Easy to grow and thrives in poor dry soil. Grows less than a foot high and creeps slowly by rootstocks. Hardy to zone 1.
Blue grama, Bouteloua gracilis, is a warm season grass, native to Nebraska and an important component of the short-grass prairies. This bunch grass features finely textured, curly, light gray-green foliage that may develop a purple hue in fall. Its seedheads resemble delicate, curved eyebrows, with seeds along only one side of the stem. It grows well on clay, silt or sand. Blue grama is lovely in rock gardens or can be used in groupings in landscape beds. Height 8-24 inches. Hardy to zone 3.
Sarah Browning is an Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska- Lincoln Extension. She can be contacted by phone at 727-2775: by mail at 1206 W. 23rd Street, Fremont, NE 68025: or by e-mail at sbrowning2@unl.edu
