Oklahoma Proven Selections for 2009

November 5, 10:31 AMOklahoma Gardening ExaminerDee Nash

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Diamond Frost Euphorbia makes a beautiful patio accent plant
Courtesy of Proven Winners plants

Earlier, I explained about the Oklahoma Proven Selections and why they're good for gardeners trying to grow plants in hot, dusty, dry Oklahoma. 

The Oklahoma Proven Selections for 2009 are:

Collector's Choice: Persian Parrotia, Parrotia persica, is a small tree blooming in late winter, one good reason to grow it.  It also has beautiful fall color, and interesting bark.

Tree:  Arizona Cypress, Cupressus arizonica, a drought tolerant, evergreen tree native to the southwestern United States. It's a small tree, only growing to twenty to twenty-five feet. Depending upon the cultivar, the foiliage can be gray-green, blue, or even yellow.  It also has interesting bark, a plus in the landscape.

Shrub:  Chokeberry, Aronia, Two species are part of the genus Aronia, Red Chokeberry, Aronia arabutifolia and Black Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa. Both bloom in spring with white flowers, and have red fall foliage. The main difference between the two types is their fruit color. According to the Oklahoma Proven website, "Black Chokeberry is getting a lot of attention as a 'super fruit' for its high levels of antioxidants and can be used to make juice, jelly, or wine." However, most people grow this shrub for its ornamental value.

Perennial: Mexican Feather Grass, Nassella tenuissima is an easy-to-grow, finely textured clumping perennial grass which adds movement to the landscape. It is drought tolerant, requiring very little water and tolerates most conditions. Alluding to its native homes of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, Mexican feather grass does like well-drained soils. The main thing to remember is that this grass doesn't want to be cut back in spring. Only remove the top third of the plant. Note: This plant is also invasive in some part of the United States. It is not invasive in Oklahoma, but will probably reseed in moister soils.

Annual:  Diamond Frost® Euphorbia 'Inneuphdia’ earns its name by blooming nonstop from spring until frost in Oklahoma. Because of its finely textured foliage and small flowers it is a good foil for most plantings whether in a container or as a group i the landscape. One caveat is that this little euphorbia could use just a bit of shade. In the full sun, it tends to get leggy and not bloom as well.

When spring comes again, and it will before you know it, try to plant one or more of these selections.  They're proven to do well in Oklahoma and will get your garden off to a good start.

You can reach the Oklahoma Gardening Examiner at reddirtramblings@gmail.com. For notice of new Gardening Examiner columns please subscribe by email. For more of Dee's writing, see upcoming issues of the Oklahoma Horticulture Society's Horticulture Horizons and Oklahoma Gardener Magazine. She blogs at Red Dirt Ramblings, and you can follow Dee on Twitter @ reddirtramblin.