Horticulture: Extension: Gold Medal Plants

1995 Gold Medal Winners at a Glance

• Classified as a summer annual, but it will overwinter if provided some protection.
• Grows vigorously, spreading out along the ground forming a dense, green mat with gold flowers.
• About 2 feet high and spreading 2-3 feet in all directions.
• Can handle extreme heat and drought well.
• Does well in mixed borders, patio containers, window boxes and hanging baskets.
• Looks great with other annuals including red and blue salvia, and with perennials including red zinnias, pink petunias and verbena.
• Butterflies love 'New Gold' lantana, and it is deer resistant.
• At planting, incorporate 10-10-10 and re-apply in May and July.
• Has few pests (except whiteflies); very easy to grow.

• Hardy perennial throughout Georgia (some cold damage in extreme winters).
• Grows upright 4-5 feet with spread of 2-4 feet.
• Deep blue tubular flowers throughout the growing season; mature plants can have thousands.
• Butterflies and hummingbirds love blue anise sage.
• Durable and trouble-free, providing flowers from mid-May to October.
• Does well planted in groups of three with rudbeckia, purple coneflower and shasta daisy.
• Prefers full sun and well-drained soils.
• Incorporate compost or other organic material at planting and fertilize with 8-8-8 in May and July.
• Trim back by 1/3 in the summer to encourage flowering; deadheading will also help.

• Deciduous shrub growing 5 feet high and equally as wide.
• Forms a broad, spreading mound of deep green leaves with large white blooms.
• Superior shrub for shady areas; looks great in groups of three to five plants.
• Excellent background for perennial borders or planted with traditional pink/blue hydrangeas.
• Flower heads range from 6 to 12 inches in diameter.
• Plant for morning sun and afternoon shade about 6 feet apart.
• Few pest problems.
• Thin out old, woody stems in early March, then prune to shape the plant.
• When growth begins, fertilize with 10-10-10; fertilize again in May and in August.

• Deciduous shade tree reaching 35 feet tall and 50 feet wide.
• Resistant to Dutch elm disease with no serious insect or disease problems.
• Excellent shade tree for the home landscape; also an excellent street tree where height is limited.
• Small, lustrous, dark green leaves form a dense canopy.
• In winter, attractive mottled bark is apparent (mix of orange, brown and gray).
• Best in full sun with well-drained soil; water weekly for two months.
• After first season, apply 1/2 cup of 16-4-8 or 1 cup of 10-10-10 at six-week intervals.
• Available as B&B and 5- to 15-gallon containers.
• Relatively trouble-free if planted correctly and given routine care.

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