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.**

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.**

Gaillardia Fanfare Blaze by Midwest Gardening.jpeg — Fanfare Blaze Gaillardia

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

Gas Plant by Midwest Gardening.jpeg — 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.

Inula Royleana by Midwest Gardening.jpeg — 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.**

Gazania by Midwest Gardening.jpeg — 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.**

Hungarian Blue Poppy by Midwest Gardening.jpeg — Hungarian Blue Poppy

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

Fritillaria Crown Imperial.jpg — 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.

by Midwest Gardening.jpeg — 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.**

Guinea Hen Flower.jpeg — 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.**

Harlequin Glorybower.jpeg — 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.**

himalayan blue poppy.jpeg — 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.

Perfect Storm Hibiscus.jpeg — 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.**

Purple Pitcher Plant.jpeg — Purple Pitcher Plant

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

Red Hot Poker.jpeg — 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!