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Back in 1997, Emerald Coast Growers was just six years old. Bill Clinton was in the White House. A new Honda Civic cost $10,000. The Marlins beat the Indians in the World Series, the Packers whupped the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI, and Princess Diana went for her last car ride in Paris. Au revoir, England’s Rose. But the big news that year? The Perennial Plant Association chose Salvia May Night as its Perennial Plant of the Year. All other phenomena were just fighting for silver.May Night i

It’s practically blasphemy to rank any ornamental grass higher than world-famous Calamagrostis xa. ‘Karl Foerster’. It was the first grass ever named Perennial Plant of the Year, and rightly so. With sturdy vertical foliage and feathery plumes, it’s a handsome workhorse that makes a designer look like a genius. Not surprisingly, it’s among our top sellers. You’ll never hear us dis it.But we WILL say there are other options in the very same species that bring that same legendary reliability – all

Don’t get us wrong: We love Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, the first grass named Perennial Plant of the Year. It’s every bit as versatile as the polymath whose name it proudly bears.‘Karl Foerster’ is one of those plants that makes a gardener or designer look like a genius. But the genus has a lighter side. To be more specific: Yipes! Stripes!Calamagrostis xacutiflora‘Overdam’The original variegated form, ‘Overdam’ looks much like ‘Karl Foerster’, but with creamy white vertical stripes

“Russian Sage” Is Neither? Nyet So Fast!We reported recently that Perovskia, a.k.a. Russian sage, is neither Russian, nor a sage. Turns out we were only half right.Horticulturist and sharp-eyed reader Mark Deacon, of Cincinnati Technical & Community College, updated us. It’s still not Russian, but it has gotten smarter.The perennial formerly known as Perovskia is native to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tibet. It’s not from Russia, with or without love. But while we weren’t watching, those never-sati

That’s right, folks: Perovskia is native to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tibet. It’s not from Russia, with or without love.It’s also not a sage, despite the pungent salvia-like aroma released when the silvery foliage is crushed. It’s actually in the mint family.P. atriplicifoliaThe original! Talc-white stems rise from lacy, blue/pewter foliage, adorned with sprays of lavender flowers. Named Perennial Plant of the Year in 1995, it stands a loose-limbed 3 – 4’ and is hardy in Zones 4 – 9. P. hyb