The horticulture industry is chock-full of plant enthusiasts, and here at Loma Vista Nursery, it is no different. Each day at work, you can find our staff debating various plants. Every day it feels the March Madness NCAA bracket but with plants. And instead of the challenge lasting just one month, this debate goes on year-round. So, we decided to give our employees a space to claim their favorite plants by having a monthly “Top 5 Plants” post.
This week’s feature: Sally
Sally is on of our Section Heads. She’s responsible for growing, weeding, watering, spacing, and pruning shrubs. She is a vital member to our team because she make sure that our plants grow to be beautiful and healthy for our customers. She is a plant expert to say the least and has a passion for certain plants. Here is her Top 5 List below.
Her Top 5
1. Ginkgo biloba: Sally put these on the top of her list for a variety of reasons. She says, “The leaves are unique, and even if you don’t know plants, you can recognize and appreciate how different and unique these trees are.” She also noted that the summer and fall colors on the trees are also pretty. One thing Sally appreciates about ginkgos that others may not are the berries even though some say they stink.
Above is a close-up of a Ginkgo biloba’s leaves.
2. Sunjoy Gold Pillar® Barberry: “Thorny plants are the bomb!” Sally said when naming off these on her top 5 list. She also appreciates that they are a bright pop of color that remind her of rays of sunshine. If anyone is having a gloomy day (or landscape), she thinks these little pops of sunshine can put a smile on anyone’s face.
Sunjoy® Gold Pillar Barberry picture courtesy of Proven Winners®.
3. Grey Owl Juniper: Sally jokingly says that she has to like these Grey Owls because her last name is Gray. However, junipers in general are one of her favorites, and she thinks these in particular have a very soothing color.
Our recent crop of Grey Owl Junipers (above).
4. Delosperma Fire Spinner: When asked why these are one of her favorite plants, Sally said, “Who doesn’t like a carpet of flowers?” She’s obsessed with the flowers on these plants and thinks everyone should appreciate how awesome they are.
An example of a fire spinner flower up-close.
5. Red Sprite Holly: There are quite a few holly varieties out there, but this one is Sally’s favorite because of the berries. The bright, red berries create awesome interest in winter landscapes. Also, Sally is a die-hard Wisconsin Badgers fan, so she appreciates putting a pop of red anyway that she can into her landscapes.
Red Sprite berries (above).
EXTRA: Katy Q Hosta: Sally had to add this hosta to her list because it is the most sentimental plant to her. One of her fondest memories growing up was visiting her aunt who grew tons of Katy Qs. Before her aunt passed away, she said for everyone to take a hosta after she was gone, and that’s exactly what Sally did upon her passing. This hosta is a nice reminder for Sally that plants are more than just vegetation we put into yards to make them look good. Instead, they can also serve as connections to loved ones and beloved memories.
Have Questions About Plants?
We may be a wholesale grower, but our staff are experts in the field. What’s more, is we love helping people learn more and understand more about plants. We grow healthy plants, and we want our plants (and any plants really) to be successful in the landscapes they are planted in. Feel free to email us at sales@lomavistanursery.com or call us at (785) 229-7200 if you ever have plant-related questions.
Connect with us!
Stay up-to-date on our plant recommendations, growing tips, and more by following us on social media.
