Horticulture: Extension: Gold Medal Plants

2002 Gold Medal Winners at a Glance

• Reseeding summer annual growing to 2-2.5 feet tall and wide.
• Lady in Red reseeds prolifically; seeds can be collected in fall and planted the following spring.
• Works well in a large container and serves as excellent background for gray, blue or white.
• Excellent complement to artemesia, Japanese aster, crimson barberry and other salvias.
• Low maintenance, requiring little dead-heading; old flower stalks replaced by new ones.
• Prefers full sun with afternoon shade and moist, well-drained soil.
• Fertilize with balanced fertilizer (8-8-8 or 10-10-10) at planting; follow with 16-4-8 in May, June and September. Liquid feed as necessary.

• Herbaceous perennial growing to 3-4 feet tall and wide.
• Great transition plant for late summer and early fall; bears clusters of 1-2" sky blue flowers.
• Blue flowers complement yellow daisies, orange marigolds and other early fall flowers.
• Attractive foliage is bright green above and grayish underneath.
• 'Worcester Gold' has yellow-gold foliage with similar blue flowers.
• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
• Excellent drought tolerance and good deer resistance.
• In south Georgia, may grow as woody shrub; may experience some cold damage in north Georgia.
• Apply light application of 16-4-8 or like analysis in early spring and mid-summer.
• Propagate from terminal cuttings in spring and early summer.

• Deciduous shrub growing to 3-4 feet fall, spreading to 4 feet or more.
• Prized transitional plant with long, arching branches and clusters of shiny lavender berries in fall.
• Excellent when used in masses of three or more plants.
• Blooms on new growth, so thinning of old branches in winter is OK.
• Looks best when allowed to develop long, arching branches.
• Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
• Available as container plants that can be transplanted year-round.
• Fertilize with complete fertilizer (16-4-8 or like analysis) in early spring and mid-summer.
• Propagated by summer cuttings or seeds.

• Deciduous flowering tree growing to 15-25 feet with an equal spread.
• Three improved selections of the native Eastern Redbud, each with unique, interesting qualities.
• Forest Pansy: purple/red foliage with heart-shaped leaves and rose-pink flowers in March.
• Oklahoma: glossy to leathery green leaves with wavy margins; magenta-rose flower in March.
• Texas White: white flowering redbud with leaves similar to those of Oklahoma; unique.
• Prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
• Plant B&B when dormant; container specimens can be planted year-round.
• About a month after planting, broadcast complete fertilizer (16-4-8) lightly around perimeter of planting hole; after establishment, fertilize in early spring and mid-summer at drip line.
• Prune early to develop desired shape; prune after flowering to thin unwanted branches.

Compiled by Billy Skaggs, Hall CEA

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