Regional Picks: Tough Roadside Plants – Midwest

1. ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass

Name:Panicum virgatum‘Northwind’

USDA Hardiness Zones:5to 9

Size:4 to 5 feet marvellous and 2 to 3 foot wide

condition : Full sunto fond shade ; tolerate most soils ; average moisture , though drouth broad ; salt resistant

The besotted , upright habit of ‘ Northwind ’ switchgrass helps it protest wind and snow at roadside , but the plant life ’s steel blue exhibit in summer ; tall , narrow plumes in September ; and endearing shades of yellow from fall into winter should not be overlooked . All these attractive tone make it a peach to drive by and observe en masse shot through the season .

2. ‘Caradonna’ Meadow Sage

Name:Salvia nemorosa‘Caradonna’

Zones:5to9

Size:2to3feet magniloquent and wide-eyed

condition : Full sun ; tolerates most filth ; average moisture , though drought tolerant;salt tolerant

“ Like a steadfast soldier ” is one way to describe the dependability of ‘ Caradonna ’ meadow sage . Its deer resistance and its power to survive rough midwestern conditions in public spaces are great assets for roadside planting . This is a 50 - mile - an - 60 minutes industrial plant with upright imperial stems—16 to 20 inches marvelous — and purplish - blue flowers that can readily be seen at driving length .

3. Blue False Indigo

Name:Baptisia australis

Zones:3 to 9

Size:3 to 4 foot improbable and wide

bluish false indigo is one problematic native roadside perennial , as long as you leave its ascendant undisturbed and give it plenty of sun . Its shaggy foliation has a low - gullible cast and is topped in recent leaping by endearing indigo - blue heyday that slowly evolve into egotistic green fuel pod . These pods eventually plough charcoal smutty and provide visual interest in winter . It is no curiosity that this cervid - resistant plant was named Perennial Plant of the Year for 2010 .

4. ‘Walker’s Low’ Catmint

Name:Nepetafaassenii‘Walker’s Low’

Zones:4to8

Size:2 to 3 feet tall and all-inclusive

Conditions : Full sun ; tolerates most land ; median moisture , though drought tolerant ; common salt resistant

This industrial plant is neither minute nor low — it gets its name from a garden in England . ‘ Walker ’s Low ’ catmint stands tall and lofty , grows as wide as 3 feet , and is drought tolerant . It is also deer immune and a indestructible , aromatic companion for wayside plantings ; it may even avail reduce deer browsing in the garden beyond . Its lenient foliage is gray - greenish , and lilac-colored - blue flowers come along in April and blossom well into September .

Ellen Barredo is the horticultural managing director at Bowood Farms in St. Louis , Missouri .

exposure : ( 1 and 3 ) , Michelle Gervais ; ( 2 and 4 ) , Jennifer Benner

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Regional Picks: Tough Roadside Plants - Northeast

Regional Picks: Tough Roadside Plants - Southeast

Regional Picks: Tough Roadside Plants - Southern Plains

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