Richie Steffen

Camellia × vernalis “Yuletide,” commonly called the Yuletide camellia. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Camellia × vernalis “Yuletide”

This one will lift your winter doldrums with bright Christmas-red flowers from December through January.

Camellia × vernalis “Yuletide,” commonly called the Yuletide camellia. (Richie Steffen)
The GPP for this Friday is Crambe maritima, commonly called sea kale. The image credit is to Richie Steffen.

Great Plant Picks: Sea kale

This bold, distinctive plant adds an eye-catching presence to the sunny garden.

The GPP for this Friday is Crambe maritima, commonly called sea kale. The image credit is to Richie Steffen.
The GPP for tomorrow is Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light', commonly called MORNING LIGHT VARIEGATED MAIDEN GRASS. Image credit to Richie Steffen.

Great Plant Pick: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’

Commonly called morning light variegated maiden grass, it’s a silvery addition to garden borders.

The GPP for tomorrow is Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light', commonly called MORNING LIGHT VARIEGATED MAIDEN GRASS. Image credit to Richie Steffen.
Orangebark Stewartia, Stewartia monadelpha,

Great Plant Pick: Orangebark Stewartia

This tree’s stunning bark is shown to perfection when it’s planted with a backdrop of evergreens.

Orangebark Stewartia, Stewartia monadelpha,
Cardamine trifolia has three palmate, dark green leaflets that are topped in spring with short spikes of small white cupped flowers. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Cardamine trifolia

This little charmer has three palmate, dark green leaflets that are topped in spring with short spikes of small white cupped flowers.

Cardamine trifolia has three palmate, dark green leaflets that are topped in spring with short spikes of small white cupped flowers. (Richie Steffen)
Disanthus cercidifolius (redbud hazel). (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Redbud hazel

This shrub is one of the best for fall color, even in partially shaded conditions.

Disanthus cercidifolius (redbud hazel). (Richie Steffen)
The strawberry tree is well known for its fruit, which bear some resemblance to the strawberry — hence the common name. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Arbutus unedo aka strawberry tree

The tree is well known for its fruit, which bear some resemblance to the strawberry — hence the common name.

The strawberry tree is well known for its fruit, which bear some resemblance to the strawberry — hence the common name. (Richie Steffen)
The green Japanese maple has one of the most brilliant reds of all Japanese maples come fall. (Great Plant Picks)

Great Plant Pick: Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ aka green Japanese maple

Though it’s an understated green, this tree has one of the most brilliant reds of all Japanese maples come fall.

The green Japanese maple has one of the most brilliant reds of all Japanese maples come fall. (Great Plant Picks)
Ginkgo biloba "Autumn Gold" features brilliant fall color and scalloped leaves similar to those of maidenhair ferns. (Great Plant Picks)

Great Plant Pick: Ginkgo biloba ‘Autumn Gold’ aka maidenhair tree

This tree features brilliant fall color and scalloped leaves similar to those of maidenhair ferns.

Ginkgo biloba "Autumn Gold" features brilliant fall color and scalloped leaves similar to those of maidenhair ferns. (Great Plant Picks)
Silvervein creeper is a self-clinging vine that provides its best foliage color in light to dappled shade. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Parthenocissus henryana aka silvervein creeper

This clinging vine with silver-veined leaves provides its best foliage color in light to dappled shade.

Silvervein creeper is a self-clinging vine that provides its best foliage color in light to dappled shade. (Richie Steffen)
Japanese stewartia's dark green leaves become a riot of saturated oranges and flaming reds in the fall. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Stewartia pseudocamellia aka Japanese stewartia

The tree’s dark green leaves become a riot of saturated oranges and flaming reds in the fall.

Japanese stewartia's dark green leaves become a riot of saturated oranges and flaming reds in the fall. (Richie Steffen)
Plant "Mount Vernon" as a low informal bed border or small hedge, or as a groundcover under trees and large shrubs.(Rick Peterson)

Great Plant Pick: Prunus laurocerasus ‘Mount Vernon,’ dwarf English laurel

Plant “Mount Vernon” as a low informal bed border or small hedge, or as a groundcover under trees and large shrubs.

Plant "Mount Vernon" as a low informal bed border or small hedge, or as a groundcover under trees and large shrubs.(Rick Peterson)
Frikart’s aster is loaded with lavender-blue flowers from midsummer to autumn. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’ aka Frikart’s aster

This long-blooming aster is loaded with lavender-blue flowers from midsummer to autumn.

Frikart’s aster is loaded with lavender-blue flowers from midsummer to autumn. (Richie Steffen)
Oregon stonecrop sports year-round nubbly succulent leaves with yellow flowers in the summertime. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Sedum oreganum aka Oregon stonecrop

This evergreen sports year-round nubbly succulent leaves with yellow flowers in the summertime.

Oregon stonecrop sports year-round nubbly succulent leaves with yellow flowers in the summertime. (Richie Steffen)
Twiggy boxleaf honeysuckle sports year-round colorful foliage. The more sun it receives, the more golden the colors.(Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Lonicera nitida ‘Twiggy,’ twiggy boxleaf honeysuckle

This dwarf shrub sports year-round colorful foliage. The more sun it receives, the more golden the colors.

Twiggy boxleaf honeysuckle sports year-round colorful foliage. The more sun it receives, the more golden the colors.(Richie Steffen)
Mairis' maidenhair fern has dainty green leaflets borne on black stems. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Adiantum x mairisii, Mairis’ maidenhair fern

This perennial fern has dainty green leaflets borne on black stems, giving it a delicate appearance.

Mairis' maidenhair fern has dainty green leaflets borne on black stems. (Richie Steffen)
European wild ginger has glossy dark green, kidney-shaped leaves that adds distinction to the shade garden. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Asarum europaeum aka European wild ginger

This groundcover has glossy dark green, kidney-shaped leaves that adds distinction to the shade garden.

European wild ginger has glossy dark green, kidney-shaped leaves that adds distinction to the shade garden. (Richie Steffen)
Chamaecyparis pisifera “Filifera Aurea Nana”

Great Plant Pick: Chamaecyparis pisifera “Filifera Aurea Nana”

This shrub looks great in rockeries and tolerates our drought-prone summers. It also needs little to no pruning.

Chamaecyparis pisifera “Filifera Aurea Nana”
"Edward Goucher" abelia is adorned with tubular, half-inch-long, soft pink flowers that provide beauty and pollinator sustenance. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Abelia ‘Edward Goucher’ aka glossy abelia

This shrub is adorned with tubular, half-inch-long, soft pink flowers that provide beauty and pollinator sustenance.

"Edward Goucher" abelia is adorned with tubular, half-inch-long, soft pink flowers that provide beauty and pollinator sustenance. (Richie Steffen)
"Blackadder" hummingbird mint features flower spikes of dark red-purple peppered with tiny mauve blooms. (Rick Peterson)

Great Plant Pick: Agastache ‘Blackadder,’ giant hyssop, hummingbird mint

The highlight of this clumping perennial are the flower spikes of dark red-purple peppered with tiny mauve blooms.

"Blackadder" hummingbird mint features flower spikes of dark red-purple peppered with tiny mauve blooms. (Rick Peterson)