Paul Bongarzone

Shortly after I assumed my role serving Acadia Parish, a mentor with multiple decades of experience in horticulture extension service told me that there are two types of gardeners: clean and dirty. Clean gardeners appreciate the aesthetics, social capital, perhaps the techniques, and to a lesser extent, the actions associated with planting and the like. Dirty gardeners appreciate the actions associated with planting, experimenting, functionality of selections, likely the techniques and aesthetics, and perhaps social capital.

I have learned since that there are two further types of gardeners: tiger and laissez-faire. Tiger gardeners tests their soil every season, use a tape measure for plant spacing and depth of fertilizer application, scout for insects and disease daily, view weather forecasts multiple times daily, strictly monitor their compost, and may select plants with little to no regard for environmental suitability and susceptibility to pests. They take all actions they deem necessary to ensure the success of their garden.

Laissez-faire gardeners may test their soil every few years, if at all, “eyeball” plant spacing and fertilizer applications, hope for rain and the absence of frost, likely observe insects and disease and take little to no action, and likely select perennial plants that require little to no care. They take the minimum actions they deem necessary to facilitate the success of their garden.

Clean or dirty, tiger or laissez-faire, gardeners of any ilk can benefit from the Louisiana Super Plants program. Louisiana Super Plants are selections that are buff! The LSU AgCenter biannually promotes three to five plants that thrive in Louisiana’s heat and humidity. Once deemed tough enough and beautiful enough, the Louisiana Super Plants of the fall and spring, respectively, are highlighted in an educational and marketing campaign to generate interest and awareness.

To be eligible, candidates are evaluated rigorously for at least two years in both North Louisiana and South Louisiana growing conditions. If superior performance is consistently recorded in replicated plots and demonstration trials throughout the state by research and extension personnel, further evaluation is conducted by an advisory committee that includes industry entities to assess landscape ability and marketability.

By the time a seasonal Louisiana Super Plant campaign begins, each recommendation has been “university tested and industry approved.” The 2024 spring selections are no exception!

Magnolia ‘Jane’ is, indeed, a magnolia, beloved here. This hybrid is a cross of two Asian cultivars, part of the “girls” series of magnolias released by the USDA over 50 years ago. The pink to purple cupped blooms reveal a white interior. It reaches up to 20 feet in height with an equal width. This magnolia is cold hardy and will perform in full sun or partial shade. ‘Jane’ tolerates our heavy clay soil. It grows slowly, approximately one foot per year, however, the silvery bark and prominent blooms are worthy of your patience!

Tiger gardeners may treat another 2024 spring selection, porterweed, as an annual, and laissez-faire gardeners may treat it as a perennial. While this selection may be sensitive to freezes, it should return to your landscape. Thus, a tiger gardener may manage it as an annual and replace it and a laissez-faire gardener may leave it and wait for its return. LSU AgCenter and green industry professionals are not the only ones appreciating porterweed. This prolific producer of nectar attracts butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. They are drawn to the long flower spikes displaying small flowers in pinks, reds, blues, and purples. Porterweed can be expected to grow to three to five feet in height and can also be expected to have little pest pressure.

Zinnia ‘Zesty’ is properly named! This 2024 selection is a Mexican hybrid of the known and appreciated genus Zinnia. Large, doubled flowers in yellows, reds, blues, and those in between, may be deadheaded, encouraging new blooms to follow the old. These annuals should be direct-seeded and with full sun and good drainage, produce what we and the pollinators adore through early fall.

Bright, glossy foliage is capable of pulling our gaze in its direction, as well. Anise ‘Florida Sunshine’ is proof! The elliptical golden leaves stretch their three to six inches in length upward and outward. Though dulling and developing a red tinge as temperatures cool, the appeal does not diminish. Identify a growing location in partial shade that is moist. Know that this 2024 selection is also properly named, emitting an anise fragrance. No matter your palate’s fondness of licorice, do not consume this plant, as it is poisonous!

Clean or dirty, tiger or laissez-faire, Louisiana Super Plants are for all gardeners!

To learn more about the Louisiana Super Plants program and the 2024 spring selections, visit the LSU AgCenter Louisiana Super Plant program website by clicking the following link: lsuagcenter.com/superplants. Follow the activities of the Hammond Research Station, and consider visiting our regional demonstration bed at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center in Lafayette.

Article for publication March 18, 2024