Perennials are powerful plants. For a small investment, they return or bloom year after year for our enjoyment. Unfortunately, sometimes these reliable growers simply die off – a disappointing fact that could happen for any number of reasons, such as just putting the plant in the wrong place. (How we hate it when that happens!) Luckily, there are state organizations out there – like the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) – that can help make choosing the right plant for your particular region (and landscape) much easier.
‘Mona Lavender’ is a prolific bloomer that looks great planted in mass.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Harry P. Leu Gardens
Yellow African bulbine has great color for an accent area.
Photo Credit: Felder Rushing
One of the ways the FNGLA helps professionals and consumers alike is through its annual Florida Garden Select program, designed to promote outstanding Florida plants. The winners are selected by a committee of horticulturists, growers, retailers, landscape professionals and University of Florida faculty. Only those plants that have proved themselves as performers under a variety of situations make the elite list.
Selections are based on ease of care, pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance and other desirable traits that will ensure calls for an encore by Florida gardeners (as well as by those living in similar climates). Here are just some of the great past perennial winners that you might want to give a try:
Bulbine frutescens (yellow African bulbine) is a flowering perennial hardy in zones 9b-11. It reaches 14-16 inches tall with a 24- to 30-inch spread. A great selection for its color or as an accent that prefers full sun, the plant has light-green succulent foliage and produces ever-blooming stems of many star-shaped, yellow or orange flowers from late spring to early summer. It can withstand a light frost but should still be protected.
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ (‘Mona Lavender’ plectranthus) is actually classified as a perennial in central and south Florida, but it’s considered an annual in north Florida. Hardy in zones 9-11, it has a mature height and spread of 2 feet by 2 feet. The compact plant features handsome purple-backed leaves and produces multitudes of short stalks of lavender flowers year-round. Use it massed for color in a low border in full sun to part shade.
Salvia leucantha (Mexican bush sage or Mexican sage) is a great plant if you’re looking to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Hardy in zones 7-10, this drought-tolerant perennial does best in sun or light shade and offers some salt tolerance. Its fragrant, velvety, gray foliage is unappetizing to insects and diseases. The plant’s fuzzy, purple and white inflorescences appear in fall and bloom until the first frost, offering long-lasting color in a perennial border or as an accent plant. Mexican bush sage has a mature height and spread of 5 feet by 4 feet.
Torenia fournieri ‘Summer Wave®’ (‘Summer Wave’ torenia) is hardy in zones 8-11 but sensitive to frost. It has a quick spread and a mature height of 1 foot and can be used as a bedding plant in partial shade, as well as in containers and hanging baskets. ‘Summer Wave’ tolerates sun, and its deep blue color is difficult to find in heat-tolerant plants. (It’s also available in purple and pink.)
So want a plant that packs a punch? Try one of these award-winning perennial varieties in your next landscaping project!
