Gold Medal Plant - The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

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PHS Gold Medal Plant Award —Plant Portraits—Page 2Buxus sempervirens ‘Dee Runk’ (Common Boxwood) isan upright conical evergreen shrub with blue-green foliage.Deerresistant and pollution-tolerant, ‘Dee Runk’ also adapts wellto full sun and poor soils. A reliable, stately choice for the formalgarden or foundations, as a specimen, or in containers, it grows10’ H by 3’ W in all light conditions. Hardy in zones 5 to 8. (2008)Buxus sempervirens ‘Vardar Valley’ (Common Boxwood)is a deer-resistant evergreen shrub that grows to 3’ high by 4’wide in 15 years. A handsome addition to the foundation orperennial border, its blue-green foliage and twisted branches givethis boxwood a unique appearance in the landscape. Resistant toleaf miner. Plant in alkaline soil. Hardy in zones 5 to 8. (2002)Callicarpa dichotoma (Beautyberry) is noted for its clustersof striking lavender-colored berries in September. A deciduousshrub, 3’ to 5’ tall with graceful layered branches, it growsrapidly, preferring full to part sun. Prune hard in the spring tokeep it neat. Plant in well-drained moderately fertile soil. Hardyin zones 5 to 8. (1989)Calycanthus floridus ‘Michael Lindsey’ (Carolina Allspice)A unique native deciduous shrub with neat, attractive foliage.Green in spring and summer, it turns a striking yellow in the fall.Distinct, very fragrant flowers bloom in May and June; the scent offruit lures you to its reddish-brown 2” flowers. No serious pest ordisease problems. Use as a specimen plant or in the shrub border.Adaptable to many soils and all light conditions. Grows to 7’ H x7’ W. Hardy in zones 4 to 9. Note: This may be difficult to find inthe nursery—try an internet search for mail-order sources. (2005)Camellia japonica ‘Korean Fire’ is a large evergreen shrubwith glossy dark-green foliage. Its large, flat, bright-red flowerswith yellow stamens bloom March through May. Considered tobe the hardiest of the japonica species, ‘Korean Fire’ has survivedtemperatures of -12° F with no injury. No serious pest problems.Plant in part sun, protected from winter winds. It matures to15’ H x 8’ W and is hardy in zones 6 to 9. (2003)Campsis grandiflora ‘Morning Calm’ (ChinesenTrumpetcreeper) is a modest-sized vine with salmon-orangeblooms from mid-July through mid-August. Ideal for smallergardens, ‘Morning Calm’ is well-mannered and more floriferousthan other Campsis. It grows 15’ H x 15’ W in full sun. Thisnoninvasive woody vine needs support and a spring pruningfor best bloom. Hardy in zones 6 to 9. (2002)Carpinus japonica (Japanese Hornbeam) is a smalldeciduous tree characterized by its fan-shaped branchingstructure and wide-spreading rounded habit. Its exotic Asiandemeanor makes it a desirable under-story or small accent tree.Carpinus japonica provides year-round interest. In the spring,the tree is profusely adorned with thumb-size cone-shapednutlets in shades of cream, tan, and green; they turn brown uponmaturity and persist into fall. Its clean serrated foliage is darkgreen in the summer and turns yellowish in the fall. Grows25’ H x 15’ W in full or part sun and is hardy in zones 4 to 8. (2008)Cephalotaxus harringtonii ‘Duke Gardens’ (JapanesePlumYew) is an attractive evergreen shrub with dark-greenneedles. An extremely deer-resistant alternative to the commonYew,’Duke Gardens’ is identified by a more disciplined uprighthabit than ‘Prostrata’ and is useful as a foundation plant or inmass. It tolerates all light conditions from shade to full sunand grows about 3’ H x 4’ W in zones 6 to 9. (2008)Cephalotaxus harringtonii ‘Prostrata’ (Japanese Plum Yew)is an evergreen shrub widely tolerant of soil types. It grows 3’ Hby 12’ W with no pest or disease problems. A great alternative toJapanese Yew, it’s deer resistant! Hardy in zones 6 to 9. (1994)Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Morioka Weeping’(WeepingKatsura Tree) is a graceful medium-size deciduous tree withattractive blue-green foliage. This tree can be used as a specimenor in a large mixed border. Grows 25’ H x 10’ W in 10 years,eventually reaching 40’ H. Hardy in zones 4 to 8. (2009)Cercis canadensis ‘The Rising Sun’ (Rising Sun Redbud) isa novel addition to the native eastern redbud roundup. Smallbutshowyrosy orchid flowers climb the naked branches in earlyspring, attracting bees and butterflies. The distinctive bark issmooth tan with a yellowish cast. Emerging heart-shaped foliageis brilliant tangerine to apricot and reputed to hold its color wellinto fall, surpassing other gold-leaved redbuds. Heat tolerance,drought resistance, and cold hardiness are other desirableattributes. Grows 10’- 20’ and hardy in zones 5-8. (2012)Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’ (Hinoki Cypress)isn’t a new cultivar, but it is commonly under-used compared todwarf Alberta spruce. ‘Nana Gracilis’ grows upright and slowlylike dwarf Alberta spruce, but it is much more bug-resistant,shade tolerant, and the perfect conifer for small urban gardens.Hardy in Zones 4-8. (2013)Cladrastis kentukea (C. lutea) (American Yellowwood) isa North American native plant. When planted in full sun, it isbroadly adaptable and long-lived. In late May to early June,8”- 14” long pendulous white flowers adorn this pest-free tree.Prune it in summer to avoid excessive “bleeding.” Hardy fromzone 4b to zone 8. (1994)Clematis viticella ‘Betty Corning’ (Italian Clematis) is avigorous woody vine with finely textured foliage and noddinglavender flowers from July through August. Plant it in full sun.It grows to 6’ H by 10’ W and has no pest or disease problems.Maintenance is limited to a spring pruning to 4’. Quitedroughtresistant. Hardy from zone 4 to 8. (1992)Clethra alnifolia ‘Compacta’ (Summersweet) Also knowas ‘Tom’s Compact’ this superior variety displays darker,glossier leaves and a more compact, denser growth habit thanother Clethra alnifolia cultivars. ‘Compacta’ is also hardierand more floriferous. A native to South Eastern U.S., it’s alsolowmaintenance and moderately deer-resistant. Uses includethe foundation, border, in mass, the shady container, and thenaturalized garden. It’s best planted in part sun but it’s tolerantof all light conditions. ‘Compacta’ grows about 3.5’H x 4’W andprefers well-drained organic soil. Hardy in zones 4 to 9. (2010)Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’ is a dwarf Summersweetthat displays full-size flowers on a compact 3’ plant. A fragrantsummer-blooming shrub, this American native is deer resistantand is a vigorous spreader. Hardy from zone 4 to zone 9. (1994Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ is a pink-bloomingSummersweet that will not fade to white. Grown in moist soil, itwill delight gardeners with rich pink flowers in July. ‘Ruby Spice‘tolerates sun or shade. A stoloniferous shrub, growing to 8’ in 10years, this Clethra works well as a specimen or in mass. Noseriouspest or disease problems. Hardy in zones 4 to 9. (1998)PHSonline.org
PHS Gold Medal Plant Award —Plant Portraits—Page 3Cornus ‘Rutban’ Aurora® is a vigorous hybrid that offers hopefor Dogwood lovers. A white-flowering non-fruiting selectionfrom Rutgers University’s breeding program, this cross is moreresistant to leaf spot, canker, and borer than Cornus florida.Aurora is highly adaptable to many garden situations. Its uprighthabit supports a multitude of large white blooms in mid-May.Grows to 20’. Hardy in zones 5 to 8. (1993)Cornus ‘Rutlan’ Ruth Ellen® is another non-fruiting productof the Rutgers University’s Dogwood breeding program. Theflowering bracts are more distinct than Aurora’s and rest on alow-spreading Cornus florida-type tree. Early in May, a profusionof bloom begins that will last up to two weeks. Like all the Rutgershybrids, ‘Ruth Ellen’ has to date shown resistance to dogwoodanthracnose. Grows to 20’ in height by 22’ wide. Hardy in zones5 to 8. (1993)Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory’ (Cornelian Cherry Dogwood)produces a show of vivid yellow flowers from mid-Februarythrough March. ‘Golden Glory’ is an excellent small deciduoustree, growing to 25’ high and 20’ wide in full or part sun. It exhibitsgood resistance to pests and deer. This drought-tolerant diehardhas exfoliating bark and 1” cherry-red oblong fruit that attractsbirds. (The fruit is edible but is not very tasty except in preserves.)‘Golden Glory’ has a more upright habit than other Cornus mascultivars. It is a handsome addition to most landscapes and isadaptable to different soil types. Hardy from zones 4 to 7. (2001)Cornus officinalis ‘Kintoki’ (Japanese Cornel Dogwood)produces abundant clusters of radiant yellow flowers from Marchthrough April, blooming two weeks earlier than Cornus mas.Attractive exfoliating gray, brown, and orange bark develops withage. Reddish-purple, large, cherry-like, edible berries form bySeptember. Fifteen feet high and just as wide, it is smaller thanthe species and puts on a spectacular display in full sun or partialshade. Hardy in zones 5-8. (2012)Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)This large deciduous shrub spreads by suckers, producing adense clump. In the fall, its green leaves turn greenish-purple andthen drop to reveal extraordinarily beautiful stems. These stemsproduce an intensely bright display of yellow, orange, and redhues from late fall to early spring, especially when placed in frontof a dark backdrop. This is a truly superior winter-interest plant.Full sun and a hard spring pruning will produce the best stemcolors. Abundant clusters of white flowers appear in mid- May.Urban-tolerant and adaptable to any soil conditions except wet,‘Midwinter Fire’ can be used in the shrub border, in masses,and in winter-interest containers. It grows about 8’H x 10’W.Plant it in full or part sun. Hardy in zones 4 to 7. (2011)Cornus sericea ‘Silver and Gold’ (Redosier Dogwood) isnamed for its yellow twigs in winter and white-variegated leavesin summer. This shrubby dogwood will grow to 7’. It masses nicely,and the white spring flowers make it a great four-season plant.Plant it in full to part sun. It tolerates all soil conditions, includingwet sites. When contrasted with evergreens it creates a beautifulwinter landscape. Hardy in zones 2 to 7. (1990)Cornus Venus (Dogwood) An improved dogwood hybrid withsuperb resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew, Venusexplodes in early spring with large (6”) pure-white blooms withgreen centers. This Rutgers introduction has clean foliage and afast-growing, full, low-branching habit. Cornus Venus is part C.kousa × nuttalli (the Pacific Dogwood) and part C. kousa. Plantthis cold-hardy creation as a specimen in good welldrained soil.Grows 25’ high by 25’ wide in full or part sun. Hardy in zones4 to 8. (2007)Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ (Green Hawthorn) is resistantto cedar-apple rust and air pollution and tolerates heavy pruning.Masses of white flowers cover the tree each spring, followed in fallby orange-red berries that are larger than those of the species.A great asset to any winter landscape! ‘Winter King’ grows to 30’and attains a rounded habit with age. Plant it in full sun; pruneduring the late winter. It will withstand a broad range of soil typesand is hardy in zones 4 to 7. (1992)Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’ (Japanese Cedar) is by farthe best of the Cryptomeria species. Planted in light shade withadequate moisture, ‘Yoshino’ overcomes the winter browningand loss of lower branches from which other Cryptomeria suffer.A conical-shaped evergreen, it grows to 30’ high by 18’ wide in30 years. It is resistant to fungal problems, and no pest problemshave been reported. This Cryptomeria makes a great evergreenscreen with a wonderful texture. Hardy in zones 5 to 9. (1993)Daphne x transatlantica ‘Jim’s Pride’ (formerly Daphnecaucasica) is adorned with delicately scented white flowersfrom April until frost, with leathery leaves and an almost billowyhabit. It is longer-lived than most Daphnes and is valued for itscompact size (4’ by 4’). It prefers good drainage and will growin full sun or partial shade. Hardy in zones 5 to 7. (1990)Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’ (Slender Deutzia) is a compact, finetexturedshrub suited to the small garden (2’ tall, 5’ spread)and makes an excellent ground cover. It is a rapid grower,with abundant small white flowers starting in late May andburgundycolored foliage in the fall. This Deutzia prefers partshade in areas with hot summer temperatures. Hardy in zones4 to 8. (1989)Deutzia x hybrida ‘Magicien’ is a unique deciduous shrubwith bright green leaves and a rounded habit. Interesting pinkflowers with white edges cover the plant each June. ‘Magicien’is fastgrowing and adaptable to many soil conditions; it has noserious pest problems. After it flowers, prune to remove old woodand control height. It grows 6’ high x 5’ wide in full or part sun.Hardy in zones 5 to 8. (2003)Diervilla sessilifolia Cool Splash ‘LPDC Podaras’ (SouthernBush-Honeysuckle) Native to southeastern U.S., SouthernBush-Honeysuckle is a low-growing deciduous shrub. Vigorousand adaptable, it spreads by suckers into a reliable mass. Tolerantof all light conditions, Cool Splash performs best in full sun,where its variegated glossy leaves develop vivid tones of greenand cream. Small yellow flowers, borne on new wood, huddletogether atop this “toad abode” from June to August. Usesinclude massing and the perennial border. It grows 2.5’H x 3.5’Wand benefits from a moderate spring pruning. Hardy in zones4 to 7. (2011)PHSonline.org
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