This 'n That Thursdays: 2018 Garden Picks of the Year, Part 2

From The Spruce

This week's 2018 garden picks of the year were selected by various organizations which focus on very specific plant categories.  Let's start with the only tree pick for 2018:

Image at left from Dammann's Lawn, Garden & Landscape Center;
images at right from The Tree Store.

The Society of Municipal Arborists have chosen the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) as their 2018 Urban Tree of the Year.  Native to much of the eastern United States and related to magnolias, the fast-growing tulip tree can reach 60 to 90 feet in height.  The tree's name comes from the fact that both its leaves and flowers are tulip-shaped.  The yellow-green flowers are large and showy, and fall foliage is a stunning deep gold color.  Because of its size and tendency to easily drop branches, this tree is best planted in areas with plenty of room.  It is also not tolerant of salty air so coastal locations are not ideal.

Hops bine (from Herb Pharm)

The 2018 International Herb Association Herb of the Year is Hops (Humulus lupus).  Hops is a very vigorous, even rather invasive, herbaceous perennial bine in the same family as hemp and cannabis.  The plant is grown for its very aromatic, sticky female flowers, which are harvested mainly for use in the brewing of beer.  I have to say that I am not a beer drinker and am not fond of the aroma or flavor of hops, but the plant itself can be a distinctive and beautiful addition to the herb garden.

Allium 'Millenium' (from NVK Connon Nurseries)

The Perennial Plant Association choice for its 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year is Allium 'Millenium' (and yes, millenium is spelled with one 'n').  This herbaceous perennial in the onion family has large, globe-shaped purple-pink flowers that are pollinator magnets - butterflies and bees love them!  The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and is relatively pest and disease free, making it a great choice for a perennial flower garden.

Mountain mint (from Land Stewards Ecological Landscape Design)

For its 2018 Plant of the Year, the Garden Club of America has picked Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum).  Mountain mint is a North American native perennial that is another pollinator magnet and is also relatively pest and disease free.  It has a vigorous but non-invasive growth habit, blue-green foliage, aromatic leaves, and pinkish to white flowers that bloom from July to September.

American beautyberry (from Almost Perfect Landscaping)

Last but not least, the Georgia Native Plant Society has selected one of my favorite plants, American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) as its 2018 Native Plant of the Year.  American beautyberry is a perennial shrub native to the southeastern United States.  It will grow in full sun or partial shade and can adapt to a variety of soil conditions.  The flowers are insignificant except to butterflies that feed on the nectar, but it is the clusters of tiny purple berries that are the main attraction, both for their beauty and as a food source for birds and mammals.

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Next week I intend to wrap up this series on 2018 gardening picks of the year.  By now just about everyone should be experiencing prime gardening weather (at least I hope so!), so it is time to get serious about spring planting.  Our irises are flowering profusely and the daylilies are just starting, so I think it is finally safe to purchase and plant the summer annuals and vegetables.