Master Gardener: Plants Proven to Grow Well in Oklahoma
Allan Robinson: Ask a
Master Gardener
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Q: I want to invest in
and plant plants that I know will do well in the Tulsa area, given our weather
extremes. Is there a good way to know what grows well in our area? Sally M.,
Tulsa
A: This is a good
question that many people think about. And it’s a reasonable request given the
amount of labor involved in planting, as well as the cost of landscaping
products these days. So, wouldn’t it be nice if someone had already done the
research on which plants do best in our neck of the woods given our sometimes
rather erratic weather conditions? And also tell us where to plant them so they
have the highest chance of success? They have!
It’s called the
Oklahoma Proven Program. Oklahoma Proven is an annual plant evaluation and
marketing program coordinated by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape
Architecture at Oklahoma State University. Designed to help consumers select
the best plants for Oklahoma gardens, these plants are tolerant of the varied
and difficult environmental conditions found throughout Oklahoma.
Every year, an annual,
a perennial, a shrub and a tree are selected. So, the selections for 2018 are:
Annual — Supertunia
Vista Bubblegum: a vigorous,
self-deadheading petunia that requires little care once established. Their
spectacular color can spill over the edge of a container or retaining wall or
spread out in a flower bed. Exposure: Full sun to part shade. Soil: Moist,
well-drained soil.
Perennial — Versatile
Indian Pink: Also called
Woodland Pinkroot, it is a native species to the southeastern United States. It
grows in shady gardens or sunny locations. It prefers moist soils and is
drought-tolerant once established. Use Indian Pink in a woodland garden,
perennial border, rain garden or native garden. Exposure: Sun to part shade.
Soil: Moist or dry soils. Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-9.
Shrub — Bush Clover: a hardy,
semi-woody, deciduous shrub that can reach 4 to 6 feet high and at least as
wide with arching stems. Rosy-purple flowers develop on new wood in late summer
to early fall. Exposure: Sun to part shade. Soil: tolerates poor, infertile
soil, but excellent drainage is essential. Hardiness: USDA Zone 6-10.
Tree — Zelkova
Serrata: a deciduous tree
with a vase-shaped habit that typically grows 50-80 feet tall and most often
occurs in rich, moist woods and hillsides. It is noted for its graceful shape,
clean foliage, attractive bark and resistance to Dutch Elm disease. Exposure:
Full sun or light shade. Soil: Tolerates wide variety of soils. Hardiness: USDA
Zone 5-8.
Note: The Greater
Tulsa metropolitan area is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7A, which equates to an
average low temperature of 0 to 5 degrees.
The Oklahoma Proven
program has been in existence since 1999 and the best part is that you can find
every year’s selection back to 1999 online at oklahomaproven.org.
Remember that all
plants need special attention during the establishment phase or during periods
of environmental extremes, which we have been experiencing more of in recent
years.
Nothing is guaranteed,
but you can improve your odds significantly by choosing Oklahoma Proven
varieties.
Garden
tips
- If you had previous damage to
the tips of pine tree limbs, especially non-native pines, it may be
diplodia tip blight (a fungus) or Nantucket pine tip moth damage. Both are
controlled with pesticides starting this month. Call the Master Gardener
office at 918-746-3701 for recommendations.
- Pre-emergent herbicide to
control crabgrass and other summer weeds should be applied by the middle
of March.
- Divide, share with friends and
replant overcrowded summer- and fall-blooming perennials.
- One of our most anticipated
events is currently underway: The Tulsa Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale.
You can choose from 211 plants, including annuals, perennials, grasses,
herbs and tomatoes. To shop online or find out more information on any of
these programs, visit our website at tulsamastergardeners.org.
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