Selections for 2012

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Oklahoma Proven is a plant promotion program coordinated by faculty in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University. The goal of the program is to recommend plants well-adapted for use across Oklahoma.

Collector's Choice for 2012

Sumac Collection
‘Bailtiger’ Tiger Eyes® and ‘Laciniata’

Rhus typhina

Sumacs are native to Oklahoma and these selections have unique characteristics. Tiger Eyes® is bright lime green to yellow all summer, turning brilliant bronzy red in fall. Tiger Eyes® can grow 6 to 7 feet high. Laciniata or laceleaf sumac has deeply divided leaflets that create a fine-textured, lacey appearance and turn shades of red, orange and yellow in fall. This cultivar can grow 10 to 15 feet tall. As with any other sumac they spread by suckers forming thickets. Fruit form in pyramidal clusters and are hairy red berry-like drupes that persist into winter providing interest and food for wildlife. Flowers that bloom in spring attract bees and butterflies. These selections of sumac are all great for naturalized areas and erosion control.

Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of high pH soils and pollution
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3-7

Tree for 2012

Chinkapin Oak

Quercus muehlenbergii

A native oak growing throughout most of Oklahoma and eastward, chinkapin oak is a rather attractive shade tree that grows 40 to 50 feet high and wide in the landscape. The tree has a nice medium texture in summer and a medium-coarse texture in winter. Bark on stems and trunk develop into irregular blocky scales with age and is quite attractive. Leaves are a glossy, dark yellow-green in summer with varying fall color of yellow to orangish brown to brown. Chinkapin oak is adapted to various soils, even alkaline soils; and is quite drought resistant and tolerant of windswept sites.

Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-9

Shrub for 2012

Juniper Collection

Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’
J. chinensis ‘Saybrook Gold’
J. horizontalis ‘Monber’ Icee Blue®

This collection represents the very diverse genus Juniperus, which has several species and many cultivars within each species. Junipers come in upright, spreading or low groundcover forms. ‘Taylor’ is a narrow, upright cultivar that grows about 4 to 5 feet wide reaching 15 to 20 feet tall and is excellent for tight spaces. ‘Saybrook Gold’ is the brightest gold , holding its color year round with a compact, spreading habit to about 30 inches tall and 6 feet wide. And Icee Blue® is a low, mat forming species with beautiful silver-blue foliage. In general junipers are adapted to a wide range of soils and withstand hot dry conditions once established.

Exposure: Sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4-9

Perennial for 2012

Arkansas Bluestar

Amsonia hubrichtii

Arkansas bluestar is native to eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas, but does well throughout the state. It is tolerant of moist soils and is quite drought tolerant once established. Flowers are sky blue, star shaped and develop in clusters at the end of each branch in early spring. Leaves are needle-like on upright stems that sway in the breeze providing a soft, wispy appearance; foliage is bright green in summer and then in fall, seemingly overnight, it explodes to a golden yellow. Amsonia grows to 3 feet high. Plant in masses for best effect. Can be used in mixed borders, meadows, native gardens, and open woods.

Exposure: Sun, part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4-9

Annual for 2012

Magilla™ Perilla

Perilla frutescens Magilla™

Known for its brightly colored leaves of dark purple to hot pink and green, Magilla Perilla is a vigorous annual. Magilla Perilla is a coleus look-alike, is in the same family as coleus, and has similar characteristics and growing needs. The species, Perilla frutescens, can be weedy, but Magilla is well behaved due to sterile seeds. It grows into a 24” tall mound and is heat tolerant. Magilla Perilla looks great in beds, mixed borders, and is spectacular in a container planting.

Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Hardiness: Use as an annual