Unique and Extraordinary Plants

Make plans for some exciting new plants for your gardens. Tropical Regions of course are filled with amazing plants and flowers. But in the Midwest we are much more limited in choice for hardy plants that are unusual and dramatic. I am always drawn by rare special plants that are not commonly grown. Consider adding something unique to your gardens next season.

Giant Angelica

Giant, or Korean Angelica is a richly colored burgundy architectural backdrop that deepens in color into autumn. This bi/tri-ennial can be grown in zones 3 to 5.

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Jethro Tull Coreopsis

Each deep golden petal is rolled into a fluted tube. So stunning covering the plant in masses. Hardy in zones 5 to 9.

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Fanfare Blaze Gaillardia

Each petal is a blazing red trumpet fanned out around a rich burgundy center. Hardy in zones 3 to 10.

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Gas Plant

This rare and uncommon plant produces masses of delightfully “eyelashed” blooms that give way to star shaped seed pods in autumn. And yes, it emits a light methane gas that can be lit and burned off without harming the plant! Hardy in zones 3 to 8.

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Inula Royleana

This amazing perennial is inexplicably rarely grown. The plant is covered all summer with large flat blooms of spider like petal rays surrounding a golden button. Hardy in zones 3 to 9.

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Gazania

The Treasure Flower is an annual in the Midwest but earns a note here for it’s unique stunning blooms. You may only find this petite annual as seed rather than bedding plants.

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Hungarian Blue Poppy

Another annual that earns a place here for its’ unique coloring. This heirloom poppy will have to be ordered as seed.

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Crown Imperial

Everything about this frittilaria is unique. A tall stalk produces a rare beautiful orange crown of large downward facing blooms, with an unusual scent that is not quite pleasant. Hardy in zones 5 to 8.

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Pasque Flower

This rarely cultivated wildflower is one of the first spring blooms. Unique blooms nod from furry foliage. Hardy in zones 3 to 6.

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Guinea Hen Flower

Also known as Snakeshead Fritillary, these unique delicate blooms are hardy in zones 3-8. The petite flowers are fabulous in masses.

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Harlequin Glorybower

This barely qualifies as a Midwest plant as it is only hardy to zone 7, specifically the ‘Harlequin Glorybower’. But it is worth noting for its’ striking tiny blooms.

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Himalyan Blue Poppy

Any gardener who has ever planted a classic blue and white garden knows right away how unique this true blue bloom is. Hardy in zones 5 to 7, this large plant produces stunning blue blooms up to 5 inches across.

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Perfect Storm Hibiscus

Perfect Storm, as well as a few other hardy hibiscus, produce show stopping enormous blooms framed by dark foliage. Hardy in zones 5 to 9.

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Purple Pitcher Plant

This Northern Pitcher plant matures into an unusual “pitcher” shaped bloom and, it is carnivorous!

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Red Hot Poker

With a flower head that looks like a red hot poker, this plant is becoming more common. Nonetheless, it’s appearance is uniquely interesting in the world of blooms. Hardy in zones 6 to 9.

Turtleheads

These snap dragon like blooms probably grew in grandma’s garden but are not commonly grown until recently. This wildflower is an unusual accent for moist areas. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.

These are just some of the many unique and rare plants. Look around at online nurseries, seed companies and mail order catalogs. Pick one unique plat to learn to grow!

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Sharon Dwyer