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Red Dirt Ramblings®

Firmly rooted in the Oklahoma soil

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Favorite perennials from Bustani Plant Farm

9 May, 2017 By Dee Nash

by Dee Nash
9 May, 20179 May, 2017Filed under:
  • Flowers
  • Gardening
  • Native Plants
  • Oklahoma
  • Perennials
  • Road Trip
  • Summer

A couple of weeks ago, I ran up to Stillwater to visit Bustani Plant Farm, which as you know, is my favorite nursery. I had a lovely time, and I bought a lot of plants.

Where do I put them all?

Shrug. It’s a big garden–about an acre and a half total.

This post started out as a list of all my favorite plants from Bustani Plant Farm, but it became too long.

So, let’s start with my favorite perennials, shall we?
Favorite perennials. Salvia greggii 'Pink Preference'
Salvia greggii ‘Pink Preference’
Cestrum 'Orange Peel'
Cestrum ‘Orange Peel’
Cestrum 'Orange Peel' with 'Pink Preference' autumn sage is one of my favorite plant combos. Both are hardy here. I'm planting them on the other side of the path next spring for symmetry.
Cestrum ‘Orange Peel’ with ‘Pink Preference’ autumn sage is one of my favorite plant combos. Both are hardy here. I’m planting them on the other side of the path next spring for symmetry.

Cestrum ‘Orange Peel.’ I think Steve and Ruth Owens sell two other varieties of cestrum also, but the one I grow is ‘Orange Peel.’ It blooms in the middle of summer for a long time and is a great backdrop for other large-flowered plants. ‘Orange Peel’ grows about three feet high in my garden in full screamin’ sun. I grow it next to ‘Pink Velour’ crapemyrtle and Salvia greggii ‘Pink Preference.’

Wait, though, I also grow a purple cestrum. I like it too, but I don’t have a photo of it. Here’s a link to Cestrum x cultam ‘Cretan Purple.’ While not as bright as the yellow and orange ones, it’s very pretty too.

Speaking of S. greggii ‘Pink Preference,’ if you have a hot and sunny spot–and who in Oklahoma doesn’t–‘Pink Preference’ will do the job beautifully. It’s also a native S. greggii introduced by nurseryman and plant hunter, Logan Calhoun. Click the link to read more about Calhoun and his influence on gardening. I grow many plants which he discovered in his travels.

Pink muhly grass with Mexican bush sage and a coleus.
Pink muhly grass with Mexican bush sage and a coleus in 2016.
Muhlenbergia capillaris, Pink muhly grass with Salvia leucantha, Mexican sage.
Muhlenbergia capillaris, Pink muhly grass with Salvia leucantha, Mexican sage.
Pink muhly grass from the opposite side of the garden bed.
Pink muhly grass with coleus and Mexican bush sage in 2016. The clumps have just gotten bigger.

Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘Fast Forward’ pink muhly grass, is another plant that steals the show in fall. Plant it with anything and watch the traffic stop outside your house come September. ‘Fast Forward’ is supposed to bloom earlier than other muhly grasses.

Favorite perennials. Gaillardia 'Punch Bowl'

Gaillardia ‘Punch Bowl’ in my garden in 2015.

Gaillardia ‘Punch Bowl.’ I know gaillardias are iffy in the perennial department because they often bloom themselves to death in summer. Even if you had to replant ‘Punch Bowl’ each and every year, it is worth doing that. Such a gorgeous pink and yellow. I also really like ‘Arizona Red Shades,’ but I probably wouldn’t plant it right next to ‘Punch Bowl.’ I think they might clash.

Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow.’ I don’t take a lot of photos of this plant because it blooms in early spring when I’m usually knee-deep in leaf removal. I do know I like the blue flowers against the multi-colored foliage. In summer, ajuga creeps out of my garden beds and into the paths in a charming, but non-obtrusive way. I love that ‘Burgundy Glow’ is variegated, pink and purple, and that it loves the heat. Sometimes, I have to replace a section of it in the spring if we get a lot of rain and cold over the winter.

Amsonia hubrichtii, threadleaf blue star amsonia. This sweet little native should be in everyone’s garden. It takes awhile to get it started, but it’s worth the wait. Remember, with perennials, it takes about three years for them to get their legs. This type of amsonia is my favorite because of its texture, the blue flowers in spring and its yellow foliage in fall. I’m sorry I don’t have a photo of it. Again, I’m usually busy working. Trust me. It’s gorgeous.

Favorite perennials. Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii, hummingbird shrub
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii, hummingbird shrub
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (hummingbird shrub), a very drought tolerant shrub, is at its limits.
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (hummingbird shrub), a very drought tolerant shrub, is at its limits.

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii, hummingbird shrub. Whew! What a mouthful! This is one of my all-time favorite shrubs. I love the shade of orange the blooms are. I love the shape it grows in and that just when you think it’s dead (It dies back to the ground in my garden each winter) it comes up and starts vigorously growing. It is beautiful, drought tolerant, and hummingbirds love it.

Japanese false nettle, Boehmeria nipononivea 'Kogane Mushi,' with Phlox paniculata in partial shade.

Japanese false nettle, Boehmeria nipononivea ‘Kogane Mushi,’ with Phlox paniculata in partial shade.

Boehmeria nipononivea ‘Kogane Mushi’, Japanese false nettle. A wonderful plant that lights up the shade garden. In my garden, it grows quite large, about four feet by four feet, which makes it a glowing shrub-like plant in my late-summer landscape.

Hibiscus 'Moy Grande' will always have a place in my garden. Bumbles love it, and, as the name says, the blooms are huge.
Hibiscus ‘Moy Grande’ will always have a place in my garden. Bumbles love it, and, as the name says, the blooms are huge.
Hibiscus 'Moy Grande.'
Hibiscus ‘Moy Grande.’
Hibiscus 'Moy Grande' is a top perennial hibiscus. It never disappoints.
Hibiscus ‘Moy Grande’ is a top perennial hibiscus. It never disappoints.

Hibiscus ‘Moy Grande.’ Not many flowers bloom in July, but ‘Moy Grande’ never disappoints. It’s one of the summer flowers I recommend for summer heat. In my opinion, this is still the best of the perennial hibiscus, and I grow several of them. The big, bold hot pink flowers are simply amazing, and bumblebees can’t enough of the pollen and nectar.

Spigelia marilandica, Indian pink, has the cutest pink/red and yellow flowers. It is an upright growing, small native perennial that is great for the front of the border.

Spigelia marilandica, Indian pink, has the cutest pink/red and yellow flowers. It is an upright growing, small native perennial that is great for the front of the border.

Spigelia marilandica, Indian pink. This little plant is a U.S. native. It attracts hummingbirds, and it blooms in sun or shade. I grow mine at the edge of my shade garden. It is slow to multiply so I’ve been working increasing its numbers in my garden for several years. Such a pleasure to see it blooming every morning.

One more thing, buying your plants from local nurseries is important. Although I have nothing against box stores, I try to support my local nurseries with the bulk of my purchases. They frankly need the money more.

There are many other perennials I’ve purchased from Bustani over the years, but I’m tired, and I need another cup of coffee. You can’t go wrong with my favorite perennials. Take a quick road trip and get yourself some.

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Tagged:
  • Bustani Plant Farm
  • Full Sun
  • Plant Hunters
  • Plants to know and grow
  • shade gardens

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diana Kirby - Sharing Nature’s Garden says

    22 May, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    Love that orange cestrum — and I’m going to have to look for burgundy glow ajuga. I grow black scallop and chocolate chip, but I’d love to try another color. Your perennials are stunning right now!

  2. ericstrenton says

    17 May, 2017 at 9:51 pm

    Big fan of these. Definitely need to try the Indian Pink as I’m looking for something add some colour to the shady areas of my garden. Thanks for sharing your favourites.

  3. Robin Ruff Leja says

    17 May, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    Thanks for the heads up on the galliardia Punch Bowl. Good to know!

  4. Melanie Harris says

    9 May, 2017 at 11:19 pm

    LOVE your list! I have grown several on your list, and am amazed that there are at least 5 I have YET to grow!!! I need to see these in person! Love them!

  5. Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening says

    9 May, 2017 at 8:02 pm

    I really like that Japanese false nettle. I had never seen or heard of that one before. Always a pleasure to meet a new plant, even if it’s not hardy in your climate. Although, who knows? Maybe it’s because no one has tried? If I ever come across it, I will plant it and cross my fingers!

  6. Victoria Mathews says

    9 May, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Thank you for sharing the information about Bustani! I will be in Stillwater soon for a conference. Plan on visiting this nursery while I am there!!!

  7. Leslie says

    9 May, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Just lovely as always Dee!

  8. Lisa Greenbow says

    9 May, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    They all look like winners to me. I need some of the Indian Pinks. I have been wanting it for years. I am such a stick because I usually buy plants from nurseries around here or when I am traveling I do visit other nurseries. I should just get over it and purchase online. It just isn’t as much fun as strolling through the nursery, reading plant tages and looking at what you will actually get when you purchase.

  9. Sally says

    9 May, 2017 at 2:32 pm

    Wow! You have some wonderful plants. I can see why they are favorites. I need plants for a sunny, dry spot…
    The Pink muhly is something I don’t think I can live without! The hummingbird shrub is another. Thanks for the information.

  10. Cindy, MCOK says

    9 May, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    I want that Gaillardia! I’ve never seen it here, though. Lots of lovelies in your garden, Dee!

  11. Carol says

    9 May, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    A good list and lots of beauties in there.

  12. Sonia says

    9 May, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Thanks for the recommendations. I will have to visit Bustani this year and purchase some of the native plants. I’m “trying” to make my garden more low maintenance. (whatever that means!) Your garden is beautiful!

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Hi, I’m Dee, a professional garden writer and speaker born and raised in Oklahoma. Here you’ll find all my best dirt on gardening and travel. Welcome!

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