This list is from 2007. I added the incredible Paperbush. The one at Hatcher Gardens is a treasure. If i were doing this list today, I would remove Winterberry and Paperwhites and replace them with windmill palm (I have become fascinated with palms) and wild bluets. Also I would substitute the native, understory American holly for the holly cultivar.
Enjoy these chimaphilic flora. And let me know if these Top Plant lists are helpful and/or enjoyable.
Tropical, mild winter, and Chicago winter hardy plants made the list.
|
Plant |
Attribute |
Hardiness |
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|
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Weeping Hemlock (Tsuga) |
Evergreen shrub. Many dwarf and weeping varieties available. |
Cold winters. Northern climates and mountains |
|
Holly (Ilex cultivar)
|
Evergreen tree or shrub with decorative red berries through autumn and winter. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates Meserve holly is the best evergreen for cold climates. |
|
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) |
Deciduous holly with coloful, long lasting, fruit. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates |
|
Arnold Promise witch hazel (Hamamelis) |
Deciduous shrub with clusters of small fragrant, bright yellow, ribbon-like flowers. Close second Carnea witch hazel. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates |
 |
|
Deciduous shrub to 6'. White and yellow tubular flowers clustered into fluffy balls dangling from tips of branches. Fragrance often described as clove-like. Frost sensitive hairy buds open over many weeks. |
Mild to winters. Temperate climates. |
|
Snowdrop (Galanthus) |
Nodding, fragrant white bells in late winter through early spring. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates. |
|
Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta cultivars) |
Fragrant clusters of flowers. |
Mild winters. Subtropical |
|
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) |
Large, coloful flowers. Pot up several rounds of bulbs for successive blooms. |
Mild winters. Subtropical |
|
Voodoo lily (Amorphophallus) |
Large, powerfully rank flower. Spadix smell of decay and the spathe mimics the color of flesh. Mottled foilage is decorative with interesting structure. |
Mild winters. Subtropical |
|
Cally lily (Zantandeschia aethopica) |
Long lasting, creamy flowers with decorative foliage. |
Mild winters. Subtropical |
 |
|
Spikes of tiny, intensely perfumed flowers on common foliage plant. |
Tropical |
