Plant Select names new picks

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Colorado-Plant Select has recommended or introduced seven plants for 2005. Plant Select is a program designed to seek out and distribute the very best plants for gardens from the high plains to the intermountain region. It is administered by Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, together with landscape and nursery professionals throughout the Rocky Mountain region and beyond.

Here are this year's picks.

Mojave sage (Salvia pachyphylla) is a shrubby perennial growing to 36 inches in height and 24 to 36 inches in width. It blooms from June to November with mauve bracts surrounding the flowers. The leaves are intensely aromatic and evergreen. It performs best in sun and a well-drained loam or sandy soil. It is hardy to zone 5 and prefers moderate to dry soil conditions.

Moon carrot (Seseli gummiferum) is a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the first year the plant grows a basal rosette of succulent, silver-blue, lacy foliage. The second year, wide pink flowers form in mid-summer to fall and then fade to white. In bloom the plant grows to 24 to 36inches tall and 10 to 15 inches wide. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moderate to dry soil moisture. It is hardy to zone 5.

Plains verbena (Verbena bipinnatifida) is a durable Great Plains perennial that blooms from May to October. Lavender flower clusters are held above spreading stems with deeply cut leaves. It grows to 6 inches in height and 18 inches in width in bloom. It prefers moderate to dry soil moisture and will grow in any soil type. It prefers a sunny location and is hardy to zone 4.

Furman's red sage (Salvia greggii) is a southwestern ever-blooming woody perennial that is best cut back in spring. The crimson to scarlet flowers bloom in flushes from June to October. It can grow 24 to 36 inches in height and 12 to 24 inches in width. It prefers sun to partial shade and moderate to dry soil moisture. It is hardy to zone 5b and grows in most soil types.

Wildthing sage (Salvia greggii) is a woody sage that produces mounds of dark semi-evergreen foliage, which are covered with hot pink flowers throughout the growing season. It grows 16 to 20 inches in height and 12 to 24 inches in width. It prefers sun to partial shade and grows in most soils. It is hardy to zone 5b and best if cut back in spring.

Silverton bluemat penstemon (Penstemon linarioides var. coloradensis) has evergreen silvery leaves that are attractive year-round. The lavender-blue flowers in May and June are an added attraction. The plant grows 8 to 12 inches in height and 12 to 15 inches in width and prefers full sun to part shade. It is hardy to zone 4 and prefers moderate to dry soil moisture. It performs best in a well-drained or sandy soil.

Mock bearberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos coloradoensis) is a selection of a native, broadleaf evergreen shrub with waxy white to pink flowers that produce red berries. The plant grows 10 to 15 inches tall and 35 to 60 inches in width. Flowers appear early in February through April. It is xeric once established and prefers a well-drained garden loam or sandy soil. It is hardy to zone 4b and prefers sun to partial shade.

For more information on Plant Select, visit www.ext.colostate.edu/psel/index.html.