Wisconsin Nursery Association announces its 2011 Plants of the Year

The Wisconsin Nursery Association (WNA) announced its 2011 Plants of the Year at the association’s annual membership meeting and workshop.

The Woody Ornamental Plant of the Year is the Acer miyabei ‘Morton’ (State Street Miyabe Maple). A medium sized shade tree with an upright-oval, dense form, the Acer miyabei ‘Morton’ is a moderately fast grower and is not invasive. Its dark green, glossy leaves turn a warm yellow late in the fall and contrast beautifully with its corky, grayish bark.

The Perennial Plant of the year is Stachys monnieri ‘Hummelo’ (Hummelo Alpine Betony). The spikes of rose-lavender flowers of the Stachys monnieri ‘Hummelo’ are the most striking feature of this European native. It blooms on strong stems in late June until early August and thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Hummelo Alpine Betony is a floriferous plant that will attract butterflies, but is deer and rabbit resistant.

The Wisconsin Nursery Association’s Plant of the Year Program was initiated to promote quality – and underused – plants to the public. Two categories were created to consider all plants:  the Woody Ornamental category, which includes deciduous trees, evergreens, vines, deciduous shrubs and shade trees, and the Perennial category, which includes herbaceous perennials, sub-shrubs, grasses, and ferns.