Contact Heath DeYoung at hdeyoung@agribiz.org in the INLA office and we’ll try to highlight it for you. 

Contact Bob at 319.398.5899 x5127 or Bob.Smith@kirkwood.edu

COMMON NAME: Lesser Catmint

BOTANICAL NAME: Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta

USDA ZONE: 4-7

SUNLIGHT: Full Sun

SOIL CONDITIONS: Prefers dry and tolerates moist soils.

HABIT: 18”-24” x 18”-24”

FEATURES: Abundant small white blooms cover the plant from June-October. Its spring leaves (shown above) are also an appealing light green and remain in an attractive spherical form for the first couple growing months. In late fall, the white blooms start to take on a lavender hue as nights begin to cool. Its size makes lesser catmint a suitable plant for front and middle of the garden locations.

Pollinators! Although lesser catmint is not a native species, it fills the garden role of provider for pollinators. This bloom period also extends well into the fall providing for pollinators until the end of the season. Aesthetics! This is a wonderful plant for fine textured blooms in a neutral color. Non-aggressive! Unlike most plants in the mint family, lesser catmint does not take over the garden. It stays where planted and doesn’t readily reseed in the garden (I have found one sprout from seed in 8 years of planting). Winter interest! Leave lesser catmint standing in your garden to enjoy a fine textured silver accent through the winter months. Award winning! Lastly, lesser catmint was selected as the Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year in 2021 increasing its visibility and demand in the industry.

Silver Falls Dichondra

COMMON NAME: Silver Falls Dichondra

BOTANICAL NAME: Dichondra argentea

SUNLIGHT: Part Sun to Sun

HEIGHT: 2” to 6”

SPREAD: 18” to 3’

SOIL CONDITIONS: Well drained soil

FEATURES: Silvery foliage with fan-shaped leaves and silver stems. Vigorous grower in pots or in ground applications.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Silver falls dichondra is an excellent component for baskets and planters. It grows aggressively to hang beautifully in those pots or cover the ground exceptionally well. The silver foliage intensifies in the sun and is a great contrast to other bright flowers in an annual display. It also doesn’t require the water that most ‘spilling’ plants do. It performs beautifully with minimal effort required. Its color is pretty on its own but also blends well with virtually any other plant.

COMMON NAME: Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen

BOTANICAL NAME: Populus tremuloides

USDA ZONE: 4-9

SUNLIGHT: Full Sun

SOIL CONDITIONS: Moist well-drained

HABIT: 25’ -45’ tall and 15-25’ wide

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