The overgrown rhododendrons just had to go. Although they had been there for perhaps 10 years, there was now more deadwood in them than living. Where there once been a nice, informal, evergreen screen, there was now an almost unobstructed view of the neighbor’s driveway. Borers crawled in the rhododendrons’ stocky trunks, and the disease phytophthora was likely rotting their roots.
Photo: Declining rhododendron in the landscape; Commack
It was definitely time to do some basal pruning and get those dreaded things out of there. After a decent amount of work, only a few holes were left in the ground where elaborate root systems had once been. But that side of the garden now looked strikingly bare and empty. I had to plant something, but what? I mulled it over in my mind for a while, but nothing jumped out. After all that sweating and digging, I decided I must be having a gardening brain freeze.
I’m sure many gardeners can empathize – with so many ornamental plants to choose from, how do we select a plant for our garden and know that it’s the right one? Even after doing a site analysis (Sun, shade, or part shade? Wet, moist, or dry soil? Acid, neutral, or alkaline soil?), it’s still sometimes difficult to choose the right plant…
If you’re like me, and need a gardening “cheat sheet,” I’d suggest starting with the Long Island Gold Medal Plants. LI Gold Medal Plants are underutilized plants of exceptional merit that are trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, groundcovers, and grasses. These award-winners display a range of outstanding ornamental features, including breathtaking spring flowers, unique exfoliating bark, or glossy red winter berries. But Gold Medal Plants are not simply beautiful additions to the garden, they are also sustainable selections. Resistance to destructive insects and diseases, and the ability to thrive in Long Island’s unique climate and soils, are important criteria in the selection of Gold Medal Plants. Since 1999, a volunteer committee of Long Island horticulture professionals has awarded gold medal status to almost fifty plants. Photos and descriptions of award-winning plants are available at www.ccesuffolk.org/the-long-island-gold-medal-plant-program/
After consulting my Gold Medal Plants list, I decided upon ‘Conoy’ Burkwood Viburnum as an excellent replacement for the rhododendrons.
Photo: 'Conoy' Burkwood Viburnum, a LI Gold Medal Plant
Source: R. Weir, 2009
The soil test I had previously taken showed that the soil was too alkaline for the acid-loving rhododendrons, and this evergreen shrub would be able thrive in its place. ‘Conoy’ Burkwood Viburnum is described as:
“a terrific pest-resistant, dwarf, evergreen shrub with flat, fragrant, creamy white May flowers; dense, rounded to 4’ tall and 7’ wide. Grow in sun to part shade locations in well-drained alkaline soil; best fruiting (reddish purple) for birds if planted in groups or as a hedge but is a good specimen or foundation planting; hardy in zones 5 to 8.”
So if you just can’t figure out what to plant in an empty spot in your garden, or are simply interested in trying out some less common plants, consider a Long Island Gold Medal Plant. We’d also like to hear your suggestions for Gold Medal Plant winners! If you would like to nominate a plant for an award, be sure to fill out a Plant Entry Form on the website. Remember to “Go for the Gold!” when gardening!
