Selections for 2010
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 2010
'Caddo' Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum 'Caddo'
Caddo Sugar Maple is a native population of sugar maple found growing in Caddo County in southwestern Oklahoma. The leaves are dark green, deeply lobed and leathery making it more resistant to leaf tatter and scorch. Caddo Sugar Maple is also quite tolerant of high pH soils, extreme heat and drought conditions commonly found in western Oklahoma. It can reach 30’ to 50’ tall and is a beautiful medium to large shade tree. Fall color is variable, but can range from yellow to golden yellow to orange and sometimes red; cultivars selected for brilliant fall colors as well as outstanding performance are available.
- Exposure: Full sun
- Soil: Prefers well-drained
- soil; tolerant of dry and high pH soils Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-9
Tree for 2010
Indian Cherry
Rhamnus caroliniana
Indian Cherry is a small tree (or large, multi-stemmed shrub) to 20’ tall with a rounded to spreading canopy. It is native to the eastern, southeastern US making it more desirable over its European cousins. The foliage is dark, lustrous green all summer turning yellow to orange yellow in the fall. Probably its greatest asset is the colorful fruits that develop late summer/fall turning red and then to black as they mature. These beautiful, sweet fruit also attract several species of birds and can be used to make jams and jellies.
- Exposure: Full sun to shade
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soil
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-9
Shrub for 2010
Koreanspice Viburnum
Viburnum carlesii
Koreanspice Viburnum is a small to medium sized shrub offering year round interest. In summer the leaves are dark green, fall color can be wine-red. Flower buds are pink to red opening white or pink in spring omitting a wonderful fragrance. In late summer clusters of red fruit that fade to black invite birds to the garden. Once the shrub has become established it is quite heat and drought tolerant and though it prefers moist, slightly acid soils, and sun to part shade, it is tolerant of high pH soils and wind-swept conditions. It grows from 4’ to 5' high and just as broad. Valued for its fragrant flowers, this shrub can be used as a foundation planting, specimen, or incorporated into a mixed border. Several improved cultivars are available.
- Exposure: Sun to part shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-7
Perennial for 2010
Toad Lily
Tricyrtis hirta
Toad lilies are known for their very unique flowers. Flowers are pale lilac with dark purple spots that appear on upright arching stems late summer to early fall when many other plants are beginning to wind down. Though flowers are quite unique, they are small so place toad lily in a spot where the flowers can be appreciated up close. The plant grows 2’ to 3’ high and about 2’ wide with bright green leaves. They are excellent for the woodland garden as understory plants where they will be protected by shade. Toad lily is easy to grow, resistant to deer, somewhat drought tolerant, but grow best in moist soils and will even tolerate wet conditions. Several cultivars with varying flower colors are available.
- Exposure: Shade, partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 4-8
Annual for 2010
Silver Falls Dichondra
Dichondra argentea
‘Silver Falls’ Dichondra was selected for its very low growing, creeping trailing habit and beautiful silvery gray leaves that are shaped like miniature lily pads. Silver Falls is actually a selection of a dichondra species native to southwest Texas and Mexico so it is quite heat and drought tolerant. Growing only 2” tall and 3’ to 4’ wide it is an attractive groundcover, but is also spectacular in a container planting or hanging basket, spilling over a retaining wall, or when used in a rock garden.
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Hardiness: Use as an annual
