The N.C. Nursery and Landscape Association and North Carolina Cooperative Extension kicked off the inaugural year of Showstopper Plants in February at the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show in Charlotte. At the same time, they brought good news to water-conserving gardeners.

Showstopper Plants are promising new cultivars or “iron-clad” plants that thrive across the region. “Most of this year’s selections, when established, are quite tolerant of drought,” said John Vining, director of Cooperative Extension in Polk County. “The selection committee’s goal was to choose plants that should thrive.”

According to Vining, members of the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association nominated a group of plants that perform well in Carolina landscapes and are easy to find across the state. Extension horticulture experts reviewed the list to select the top five plants.

These selections include a showstopper perennial, the Lenten rose; a tree selection, the “Oklahoma” redbud; and three shrubs, the “kaleidoscope” abelia, the “limelight” hydrangea and the “chindo” viburnum. Four of these five promise to be drought-tolerant, once established.

“The lone exception is the Lenten rose, which needs moist soil to excel,” said Vining. “An established plant is one that has been planted for a minimum of three years. Following that time-frame, the roots should be grown into our native soil enough to help resist droughts.”

Visit www.successfulgardener.org to learn more.