Horticulture: Extension: Gold Medal Plants

2000 Gold Medal Winners at a Glance

• Summer annual growing to 18-36 inches high with equal spread.
• Most gardeners know the shade coleus, but full-sun plants are now availabe.
• Leaf colors are brilliant, ranging from crimson to chartreuse to orange.
• They do well as bedding plants, hanging baskets and containers.
• Plant them at least 2 feet apart.
• If leggy, pinch back long stems to encourage branchng.
• Cuttings root easily; great to share with friends.
• Use slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote

• Herbaceous perennials growing to 3-4 feet high in clumps 2-3 feet in diameter.
• 'Robert Poore' -- deep purple flowers May-June; 'David' -- bright white flowers with long bloom.
• Not totally powdery mildew resistant but less susceptible than common garden phlox.
• Look great when grown together; also combine well with other annuals and perennials.
• Prefer full sun to partial shade and moist well-drained soil (add organic matter).
• Light application of 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 in March and following bloom.
• Clumps can easily be divided in fall to transplant or to share.
• Water plants early morning, as watering in the evening encourages mildew.
• Repond well to drip irrigation or soaker hose; after first frost, cut plants back to 2 inches

• Deciduous shrub growing to 12 feet high and 12 feet wide.
• White flower spikes averaging 10-14 inches in length; exceptionally long bloom period.
• Flowers emerge in June, remaining four to six weeks; excellent as cut flowers.
• Rich burgundy fall color; cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark adds landscape interest.
• Works well as a single specimen in shady locations or in groups of three to five behind smaller plants.
• Excellent for use in naturalized areas (wooded lots).
• Prefers morning sun with afternoon shade and moist well-drained soil (add organic matter).
• Apply granular fertilizer (16-4-8) in March and again in mid-summer if water available.
• Prune after bloom to shape plant and encourage branching.

• Evergreen tree growing to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
• 'Little Gem' more suited to smaller landscapes than southern magnolia.
• Can be used as specimen tree or as a background plant, or it can be planted as a hedge.
• Smaller leaves are drak glossy green on top and fuzzy brown underneath.
• Flowering begins in summer and continues through fall.
• Likely to flower the first season.
• Best planted in fall; available B&B or in container (7-15 gallon).
• Fertilize in February and again in late June with 16-4-8.
• Prune to encourage branching.

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