Every year, beginning in March and ending sometime in autumn, I blog each month about my "stars of the yard," i.e., the plants that shine most brightly in my own yard for the specific month in question. I will continue in the same vein this year, once spring makes its much-anticipated return.
But today's post is a look back to past selections, in an attempt to ponder "the best of the best."
I've based my selections not only on beauty, but also on such factors (in some cases) as timeliness or low-maintenance. For instance, there are showier plants in spring than snowdrops, but they delight me with their precociousness and never ask me to lift a finger.
I know that these are tough choices. Who's to say what plants are really "the best," right? So many factors come under consideration when making such choices.
Nonetheless, many of you, no doubt, enjoy some of the selections on my list just as passionately as do I. So I thought it would be fun to narrow the field down even further by choosing our very favorite plant for the whole year from among the plants listed below:
- March: Witch hazel ('Arnold Promise')
- April: Snowdrops
- May: Creeping phlox
- June: Lilacs
- July: Japanese dogwood
- August: Hydrangeas
- September: Rose of Sharon
- October: Sweet autumn clematis, the native alternative for which, in eastern North America, is virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana)
- November: Sweetgum tree
In between growing seasons (December-February), the stars of my yard are ornamental grasses and evergreen shrubs.
Any thoughts? If you'd like to state your choice, please use the Comments section below. If you feel strongly about a plant that didn't make my list, feel free to mention it. You can also talk about this by visiting the Landscaping Forum.
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