New and Useful Perennials
By Hilda M. Morrill
March 28, 2009

One thing is for sure... Allan Armitage is never boring.

The noted University of Georgia professor recently spoke to a packed auditorium at N.E. Grows!, a three-day horticultural extravaganza held at the Boston Convention Center.

The title of his presentation was "New and Useful Perennials for the Northeast."

The first time I had the pleasure of hearing Armitage speak was at a gardening symposium held at The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia, where he and his friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Dirr put on a show like no other.

Not only were they better than most stand-up comedians, but they also inspired attendees with their incredible horticultural knowledge and unbridled enthusiasm. To cinch the deal, they gave away free plants of cultivars that they had helped develop. (It was so much fun bringing the plants home on an airplane; but that's another story.)

In Boston, Armitage focused on plants that will do well in our neck of the woods:

Natives (plants for the green generation); Ferns (easy maintenance, high interest); Grasses (low maintenance, new interest); and Others (not native, grassy or ferny, but "mainstream perennials").

Under natives he listed Echinaceas, so popular he said, they are becoming "the new petunias." Although regarding the new 'Pink Poodle' echinacea he noted, "If I wanted a mum, I'd have bought a mum!"

Coreopsis are high maintenance he admonished, noting that deadheading them is necessary. Gaillardias love sandy soil. "Just 'cause it's native doesn't mean it's easy!"

Ferns are low maintenance he reminded us. Specifically, "You can't lose with any maidenhair fern!"

Regarding the grasses, he noted that some introductions are re-seeding badly and that breeders are working on developing sterile varieties. Panicum grasses are among his favorites, noting that they even do well in containers.

Among mainstream perennials, he recommended Hellebores, especially a new one called 'Ivory Prince'. Easy to grow from seed, and "you can see the flowers!," it is one of the best plants in his garden, where he said he has 10,000 of them. Don't know if he was kidding or not. Will have to ask next time I see him.

Other favorites are 'Black Jack' sedum and 'Mystic Spires' salvia.

Dr. Armitage has written many books including: "Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on Their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes"; "Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens"; "Armitage's Garden Annuals: A Color Encyclopedia"; "Armitage's Garden Perennials: A Color Encyclopedia"; and "Legends in the Garden: Who In The World is Nellie Stevens?" which he co-authored with Linda L. Copeland - to name a very few.

He is scheduled to speak at the "Cape Cod Horticultural Conference" on April 4, 2009, which is being held at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center in Hyannis. He will speak on "Crazy Plants for Crazy People" at this Master Gardeners event. For information, contact Donna Lawson at 508-375-6690.

Try to catch his presentation if you can. You won't be disappointed.

If not possible to attend the conference, and if you want to know "what I am up to" as he says, be sure to visit www.allanarmitage.net.

Enjoy!