Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 98: Upgraded Classics

Episode 98: Upgraded Classics mix
Everyone likes an upgrade. Whether it’s a faster car or a more efficient cell phone, it’s hard to turn down a better version of something you already like. Plants are much the same. If you already love that gorgeous catmint that flowers all season lo
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      Video by Danielle Sherry and Carol Collins. Edited by Kara Demos.

      Everyone likes an upgrade. Whether it’s a faster car or a more efficient cell phone, it’s hard to turn down a better version of something you already like. Plants are much the same. If you already love that gorgeous catmint that flowers all season long, what not try one that not only has all the same great attributes but also has an improved habit? Today we’re talking about plants we have a great affinity for but that plant breeders have made just that much better. Perhaps it’s a longer bloom time, or stronger winter hardiness, or even a different color to the foliage. Whatever the change may be, it’s an improvement that has made us fall even more in love with these classic plants.

      Expert testimony: Irvin Etienne is curator of herbaceous plants and seasonal garden design for The Garden at Newfields in Indianapolis.

      Danielle’s Plants

      Classic: Persian ironwood
      Classic: Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica, Zones 4–8)

      Upgrade: ‘Lamplighter’ Persian ironwood
      Upgrade: ‘Lamplighter’ Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica ‘Lamplighter’, Zones 5–9)

       

      Classic: Holly-leaved mahonia
      Classic: Holly-leaved mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium syn. Berberis aquifolium, Zones 5–8)

      Upgrade: 'Charity' mahonia
      Upgrade: ‘Charity’ mahonia (Mahonia × media ‘Charity’, Zones 7–9)

       

      Classic: Bowles' golden sedge
      Classic: Bowles’ golden sedge (Carex elata ‘Aurea’, Zones 5–9)

      Upgrade: ‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass
      Upgrade: ‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Zones 5–9)

       

      Carol’s Plants

      Variegated weigela
      Classic: Variegated weigela (Weigela florida ‘Variegata’, Zones 4–8)

      MY MONET® weigela
      Upgrade: MY MONET® weigela (Weigela florida ‘Verweig’, Zones 4–6)​

       

      Classic: Langsdorff's flowering tobacco
      Classic: Langsdorff’s flowering tobacco (Nicotiana langsdorffii, Zones 10–11)

      Upgrade: ‘Bronze Queen’ flowering tobacco
      Upgrade: ‘Bronze Queen’ flowering tobacco (Nicotiana langsdorffii ‘Bronze Queen’, Zones 10–11)

       

      Classic: 'Walker's Low' catmint
      Classic: ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’, Zones 4–8)

      Upgrade: ‘Kitten Around’ catmint (credit: Walters Gardens, Inc).
      Upgrade: ‘Kitten Around’ catmint (Nepeta faassenii ‘Kitten Around’, Zones 3–8). Photo: Walters Gardens, Inc.

       

      Expert’s Plants

      Irvin Etienne is curator of herbaceous plants and seasonal garden design for The Garden at Newfields in Indianapolis.

      Classic: ‘Flamenco’ red-hot poker (credit: David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons)
      Classic: ‘Flamenco’ red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria ‘Flamenco’, Zones 5–9). Photo: David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons

      Upgrade: ‘Mango Popsicle’ red-hot poker (credit: Irvin Etienne)
      Upgrade: ‘Mango Popsicle’ red-hot poker (Kniphofia ‘Mango Popsicle’, Zones 6–9). Photo: Irvin Etienne

      Classic: ‘Fireball’ hardy hibiscus, photo courtesy of David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons
      Classic: ‘Fireball’ hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Fireball’, Zones 5–9). Photo: courtesy of David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons

      Upgrade: 'Holy Grail' hardy hibiscus
      Upgrade: ‘Holy Grail’ hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Holy Grail’, Zones 4–9)

       

      Classic: ‘Storm Cloud’ lily of the Nile (credit: © Armitage/Hip Labels, LLC)
      Classic: ‘Storm Cloud’ lily of the Nile (Agapanthus ‘Storm Cloud’, Zones 7b–10). Photo: ©Armitage/Hip Labels, LLC

      Upgrade: ‘Galaxy Blue’ lily of the Nile (credit: Irvin Etienne)
      Upgrade: ‘Galaxy Blue’ lily of the Nile (Agapanthus ‘Galaxy Blue’, Zones 6–10). Photo: Irvin Etienne

       

      Classic: ‘Black Knight’ butterfly bush
      Classic: ‘Black Knight’ butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Black Knight’, Zones 5–9)

      Upgrade: ‘Grand Cascade’ butterfly bush (credit: Irvin Etienne)
      Upgrade: ‘Grand Cascade’ butterfly bush (Buddleia ‘Grand Cascade’, Zones 5–10). Photo: Irvin Etienne

       

      Classic: Mimosa (credit: Simon Garbutt, via Wikimedia Commons_
      Classic: Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin, Zones 6–9). Photo: Simon Garbutt, via Wikimedia Commons

      Upgrade: ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa
      Upgrade: ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa (Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’, Zones 6–9)

       

       

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      Comments

      1. User avater
        marthaclark 11/12/2021

        Such a nice image quality!

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