RECESSION-PROOF PLANTS
Ten Tough Plants Sure to Survive and Thrive in Washington Gardens

These last few months have been a time of massive repositioning of the financial world. The subprime meltdown and the subsequent tightening of many belts have created concern among consumers in many markets. The world of gardening is no stranger to change. In fact, monthly visits to your local garden center are proof of just how fickle the plant industry can be. How many times have you seen the perfect plant in your garden center only to return a week later to find out that plant is no longer available for this season. Yes, plants suppliers tend to stock what is available now, and that availability can change from month to month or even week to week. Many of these fleeting plants are just that – annuals or tender perennials that will only last a short time in your garden. So what is a budget conscious consumer to do? The answer is to plant tough plants that will give you years of beauty in your garden. There are many perennials and shrubs that will make beautiful attractive additions to your garden and, with a little care, will last for years.

The following list is a few of my favorite plants that are a sound investment for your Washington garden.   

• Achillea tomentosa: Woolly Yarrow. This mat-forming perennial bears dense, flat headed clusters of lemon-yellow flowers from early summer to early fall. The woolly gray-green leaves are narrow and fern like. This plant is very tolerant of dry conditions. Perfect for a mixed border or rock garden. Grow in well-drained soil in an open sunny site.
• Aucuba japonica: This variegated form of Japanese laurel is an evergreen shrub with large, glossy, dark green leaves. The leaves are boldly speckled with golden yellow. The females have small purple flowers in spring followed by red berries in fall. Perfect for a specimen plant or informal hedge. Grows well in any but waterlogged soil. Plant in full sun for best color. Plant a male close by for heaviest berries.
• Bergenia: This low growing, clump forming, evergreen perennial is one of the first to bloom in spring. Depending on the variety, the flowers vary from red to white to shades of pink and magenta. The leaves are smooth, oval, leathery and with toothed margins. Plant under larger shrubs for added protection in winter. Grow in any well-drained soil. In full sun to part shade.
• Buddleja davidii: The butterfly bush is a fast growing, deciduous shrub that has a wide range of flower colors. As the common name suggests the flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial garden insects in profusion. The leaves are lance-shaped gray green in color, and the flowers are tight, compact, fragrant spikes. Grow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Encourage better flowering and control size by pruning back hard to a low framework in early spring. Deadheading will prevent unwanted seeding and encourage repeat blooming.
• Buxus sempervirens: The Boxwood family has many worthy cultivars. These evergreen shrubs are tight compact shrubs usually very slow growing and can be easily trained in to a hedgerow or a variety of other shapes. Grow in any well-drained soil, in sun or part shade. Trim in spring and summer; overgrown plants can be renewal pruned in late spring.
• Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield’: There are many varieties of chrysanthemums on the market. Their flowers can vary vastly with some blooms that resemble pom poms, while others are daisy-like, or have petals that resemble spoons or are spider like the plants can be miniature to large mounds. They are relatively carefree and disease resistant. One of my favorite mums for Washington gardens is the Sheffield mum this is a Korean mum that is self-branching and produces large quantities of pink petaled daisy like flowers. Grow in moist, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil enriched with compost in a sheltered sunny site. 
• Euonymus fortunei: This wonderful compact, mounding, evergreen shrub is also a climber when supported. Its leaves are small, ovate and are brilliantly golden in variegation. Use this plant to fill in the gaps, add color and contrast, or wall train for a hardy evergreen climber. Prune in mid spring to keep compact. Prune runners at any time to maintain shape. When trained as a climber this plant can reach heights of up to 15 feet. Grow in any soil except water logged. Leaves have best color in full sun.
• Hemerocallis, ‘Daylilies’: These are the stars of many an herbaceous perennial border. With many different colors and flower shape and sizes available there is a daylily that is perfect for your sun-drenched garden. Depending on the variety that you choose you can have flowers from late spring to late summer. When established they can be very drought tolerant. Their strap-like leaves resembles an ornamental grass. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil. Divide clumps every few years in spring or fall.
• Liriope muscari: This tough as nails plant is perfect for tree boxes and heavy traffic areas. Liriope will form clumps of dark green, strap-like leaves. Spikes of small violet flowers open in fall followed by black berries. Grow in well-drained slightly acidic soil. Grow in sun to shade.
• Rudbeckia, ‘Black-Eyed Susans’: These tough herbaceous perennials are well suited to the parching and air pollution that our city gardens can dish out. These prolific bloomers erupt from early summer to frost. They are a native of North American grasslands and meadows. The flowers are daisy-like with intense yellow petals and dark brown centers. Excellent in sunny borders. Soil should be well-drained. Fertilize in early spring with a slow release fertilizer.