Year in review: Mark Dwyer, ‘Green Guide’ columnist

Through Mark Dwyer’s familiarity with plants and expertise in landscaping, his column offers a ‘green guide’ for planting perennials, shrubs and more. He’s currently Garden Manager for the Edgerton (WI) Hospital Healing Garden after 21 years as Director of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI). He also operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD, a landscape design and consultation business.

Here are his 2022 columns for Nursery Management, all in one place for your convenience.

1. Physostegia virginiana ‘Variegata' - Consider bringing back this perennial for its long bloom period combined with bold foliage and its value to pollinators.
2. Philadelphus coronarius ‘E.A. Bowles’ - Fragrant, white flowers are the star of the show, but variegated foliage adds more charm to this shrub.
3. Dictamnus Albus - This sometimes ‘precarious’ perennial features pyramidal spikes of lovely and fragrant flowers.
4. Sorbus alnifolia - A delight throughout the year, the Korean mountain ash features a lovely showing of flowers, fruit and fall color.
5. Pinus contorta var. latifolia ‘Taylor’s Sunburst’ - The brilliantly colored new growth of this conifer shines in spring, while the cherry-red pollen cones and brick-red bark offer additional interest.
6. Abelia mosanensis - For a plant with the complete package — fragrant flowers coupled with fantastic fall foliage — consider Korean abelia.
7. Amorpha canescens - The native lead plant offers interesting textural foliage and purple flowers in summer.
8. Chionanthus virginicus - Whether single or multi-stemmed, white fringetree is a showy large shrub or small tree in the landscape.
9. Centranthus ruber - Jupiter’s Beard is a non-fussy perennial that is great for beginners.
10. Eleutherococcus sieboldianus ‘Variegatus’ - The variegated form of this adaptable shrub offers showy foliage even in shade.
11. Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’ - This adaptable, late-blooming perennial shrugs off light frosts.
12. Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum ‘Popcorn’ -  If you want a prolific bloomer, get your popcorn ready.