Oklahoma Proven selections feature native plants

“We’re very excited about this year’s selections and how they tie into Oklahoma’s centennial celebration,” said Lou Anella, associate professor in the department of horticulture and landscape architecture at Oklahoma State University.

The 2007 Oklahoma Proven selections include the Oklahoma Redbud, which is the state tree; evening primrose; southern waxmyrtle; and the blanket flower.

Oklahoma Proven is a plant evaluation and promotion program that was initiated at OSU. The program currently is in its ninth year.

“Oklahoma Proven is designed to help gardening enthusiasts select plants, trees and shrubs that have been proven to grow well in Oklahoma’s diverse climate and soil types,” he said.

A cultivar of Oklahoma’s state tree, the redbud, ‘Oklahoma’ was discovered in the Arbuckle Mountains in the south-central part of the state. It has beautiful magenta flowers that cover the tree in early spring, and when the flowers fade, heart-shaped leaves emerge with a glossy sheen.

Anella said ‘Oklahoma’ Redbud can withstand direct sun, which is great for Oklahoma’s sunny summer months. While ‘Oklahoma’ Redbud can tolerate a wide range of conditions, it thrives best in well-drained soils.

“This is the perfect tree for small yards that need a splash of color,” he said.

A cousin to the bayberry, the southern waxmyrtle has a nice scent and can be pruned into hedges. It can be grown as a large shrub, making it an excellent naturalistic screen, or it can be pruned to tree form to expose its light-gray bark.

“This shrub is drought tolerant and stays green throughout the winter. However, it can lose its leaves in extremely harsh winter conditions,” Anella said.

The blanket flower is the state’s wildflower. This flower is wonderful in Oklahoma gardens because it has the ability to bloom in hot, dry conditions, which is typical of an Oklahoma summer. The blanket flower has many hybrids and has bright red and yellow flowers.

The blanket flower is often a perennial, but it also reseeds readily. Allow the seed heads to dry on the plant for maximum reseeding and floral display the following summer.

The evening primrose features a red tinge on the stem with silver foliage. It grows close to the ground and is native to western Oklahoma. It reaches a height of about 15 to 18 inches and spreads up to two feet.

“This flower was selected for its ability to produce beautiful yellow flowers above red petioles and silver foliage,” Anella said. “It’s marketed as a xeriscape perennial since it thrives in well-drained soil. Once it’s established it requires little moisture. If we have a summer like 2006, this will be a great plant for gardeners.”

Gardening enthusiasts who wish to see full color photos of the 2007 Oklahoma Proven selections can go to http://www.oklahomaproven.org. 

Oklahoma Proven is sponsored by the OSU Cooperative Extension Service; Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station; OSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association; Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum; Oklahoma Nursery and Landscape Association; and OG&E Corporation.

“Using all native plants is a wonderful way to celebrate our state’s centennial, and this year’s selections will certainly add a lot of visual interest in Oklahoma gardens,” Anella said.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist Agricultural Communications Services
Oklahoma State University
136 Printing Services Building
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3725
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu