Wisconsin Nursery Association named Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory’ and amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ the 2008 Plants of the Year. ‘Golden Glory’ (Cornelian cherry dogwood) is a small tree or multi-stemmed shrub that displays bright-yellow flowers in mid- to late-March and glossy dark-green foliage during the summer. Bright-red fruit develops in fall, coupled with red fall color. It grows up to 20 feet high and is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. ‘Blue Ice’ (bluestar) is a drought-tolerant perennial hardy in Zones 4-9. It produces a low, tidy mound of small, willowlike dark-green leaves that turn bright yellow in fall. In late spring, clusters of star-shaped dark lavender-blue blossoms adorn the foliage.
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For more: Brian Swingle, WNA, (414)529-4705; bswingle@toriiphillips.com.
June 2008