| Common Name |
Sun King Aralia |
| Botanical Name |
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ |
| Plant Type |
Herbaceous perennial |
| Hardiness Zone |
3-9 |
| Mature Size |
3-6 ft tall, 3-5 ft wide |
| Sun |
Part shade to full shade |
| Soil |
Moist, humus-rich, well-drained |
| Bloom Time |
Late summer (white umbels) |
| Foliage Color |
Bright gold to chartreuse |
| Deer Resistant |
Yes |
Why Sun King for Wisconsin
Shade gardens are dominated by green. Sun King changes that. This perennial emerges each spring with bright golden-yellow compound leaves that look almost tropical. It reaches 3-6 feet tall by mid-summer, creating a bold focal point where most shade plants are low and subtle. Hardy to Zone 3, it’s bulletproof in Wisconsin. The gold color holds through the season without burning, which is unusual for a yellow-leaved plant in shade.
Planting Instructions
When: Spring after last frost.
Where: Part shade to full shade. Some morning sun is fine and keeps the gold color bright. Avoid hot afternoon sun which can scorch leaves.
How: Enrich the planting hole with compost. This plant likes moisture and organic matter. Mulch generously.
Care Throughout the Season
Spring: Gold shoots emerge from the ground in mid to late spring (it’s slow to start). Do not plant anything on top of it in winter thinking it’s dead.
Summer: Reaches full size by mid-summer. White flower clusters appear in August. Keep soil moist.
Fall: Foliage stays attractive until frost. Small dark berries may follow flowers.
Winter: Dies to the ground completely. Mark the location so you don’t accidentally dig into the roots.
Common Problems in Wisconsin
Sun scorch: Too much direct sun, especially afternoon sun, will brown the leaf edges. Shade is this plant’s natural environment.
Slugs: The large leaves can attract slugs in wet conditions. Good air circulation and not overwatering help.
Companion Planting
Hosta (blue varieties for color contrast). Astilbe for feathery texture below. Brunnera for blue flowers in spring. Ferns for a lush woodland composition. Heuchera in dark tones at the base.
Design and Landscape Uses
Shade garden focal point, woodland border, or massed under trees. One of the few perennials that provides height AND bold color in shade. Plant it where you need a “wow” moment. Pairs well with dark-leaved plants like black Heuchera for dramatic contrast. Also works in large containers on a shaded patio.
Fun Fact
Aralia cordata is native to Japan and Korea, where the young shoots (called “udo”) are eaten as a vegetable. Sun King was selected for its unusually bright gold foliage, which is much more vivid than the typical green species. The compound leaves can reach 2-3 feet long, giving the plant its tropical appearance despite being one of the hardiest shade perennials available.
| Common Name |
Diamond Rouge Hydrangea |
| Botanical Name |
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Rendia’ |
| Plant Type |
Deciduous shrub |
| Hardiness Zone |
3-8 |
| Mature Size |
5-6 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide |
| Sun |
Full sun to part shade |
| Soil |
Moist, well-drained |
| Bloom Time |
Mid-summer to fall |
| Bloom Color |
White aging to deep cherry red |
| Deer Resistant |
Moderate |
Why Diamond Rouge for Wisconsin
Diamond Rouge produces the deepest red color of any panicle hydrangea. The flowers open white in mid-summer, then shift through pink to a rich cherry red by September. The color is darker and more saturated than Pinky Winky or Vanilla Strawberry. Compact at 5-6 feet, it fits residential landscapes without getting out of hand. Zone 3 hardy, so Wisconsin winters are no concern at all.
Planting Instructions
When: Spring or early fall.
Where: Full sun for the deepest red development. Part shade produces lighter pink tones.
How: Standard hydrangea planting. Amend clay soil with compost. Keep consistently moist for the first season.
Care Throughout the Season
Spring: Cut back to 12-18 inches in late winter/early spring. Blooms on new wood, so pruning promotes larger flower heads.
Summer: Flowers open white starting in July. Keep watered. Mulch to retain moisture.
Fall: Peak red color in September. Leave dried heads for winter interest or cut for arrangements.
Winter: Fully dormant and hardy. Dried flower heads look good with frost.
Common Problems in Wisconsin
Color disappointment: The red color needs sun and cool nights to develop fully. Plants in too much shade may stay pink rather than turning red.
Stem strength: Large flower heads can weigh stems down after rain. Hard spring pruning to a low framework produces sturdier stems.
Companion Planting
Boxwood for evergreen winter structure. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ for complementary fall color. Grasses for texture. Catmint at the base.
Design and Landscape Uses
Foundation plantings, mixed borders, or specimen use. The compact size works in smaller gardens. Plant where you can watch the color transformation through the season. Outstanding in a white garden that gradually turns red as summer progresses.
Fun Fact
Diamond Rouge was bred by Pepinieres Renault in France. The name refers to the diamond-shaped florets and the rouge (red) color. It holds the record for the deepest red color among panicle hydrangeas tested in controlled conditions.
| Common Name |
Golden Spirit Smokebush |
| Botanical Name |
Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ |
| Plant Type |
Deciduous shrub |
| Hardiness Zone |
5-8 |
| Mature Size |
8-10 ft tall, 8-10 ft wide |
| Sun |
Full sun to part shade |
| Soil |
Well-drained, average to poor |
| Bloom Time |
Summer (smoky plumes) |
| Foliage Color |
Chartreuse-gold, turns coral/orange in fall |
| Deer Resistant |
Yes |
Why Golden Spirit for Wisconsin
Most smokebush varieties have purple foliage. Golden Spirit flips that with bright chartreuse-gold leaves that practically glow in the landscape. In fall, the foliage shifts through coral, orange, and red tones. The feathery “smoke” plumes appear in summer, giving the shrub its common name. Hardy to Zone 5, it handles our winters and comes back strong.
Planting Instructions
When: Spring after frost danger passes.
Where: Full sun for the brightest gold. Part shade works but color will be more lime-green. Avoid wet sites.
How: Don’t amend the soil much. Smokebush actually performs better in lean, well-drained soil. Rich soil produces lanky growth.
Care Throughout the Season
Spring: New gold foliage emerges. Prune to shape if needed. You can cut back hard to a low framework each spring for more compact growth and larger leaves (but you’ll sacrifice the smoke plumes).
Summer: Feathery plumes develop on unpruned plants. Low water needs once established.
Fall: The color show. Gold turns to coral, orange, and red.
Winter: Bare branch structure. Can die back to the roots in severe winters but typically resprouts vigorously.
Common Problems in Wisconsin
Winter dieback: In harsh Zone 5b winters, stems may die back partially. Prune dead wood in spring. The plant typically recovers from the roots. A sheltered location helps.
Verticillium wilt: Smokebush is susceptible. Avoid planting where tomatoes, peppers, or other Verticillium-susceptible plants have grown recently.
Companion Planting
Summer Wine Ninebark (dark purple against the gold is striking). Blue Star Juniper for year-round blue-green contrast. Catmint at the base. Ornamental grasses for movement.
Design and Landscape Uses
Specimen plant, mixed shrub border, or grouped for a colorful screen. The gold foliage makes it a focal point wherever you put it. Plant against a dark background (evergreens, dark fence) for maximum impact. Can be coppiced (cut to 12 inches annually) for a compact, multi-stemmed form with extra-large leaves.
Fun Fact
The “smoke” in smokebush comes from the fine, hair-like filaments on the spent flower clusters. These create a fuzzy, smoke-like appearance that’s most visible in mid to late summer. Golden Spirit was selected in the Netherlands by Piet Cuypers and introduced under the cultivar name ‘Ancot.’
| Common Name |
Denim ‘n Lace Russian Sage |
| Botanical Name |
Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ |
| Plant Type |
Herbaceous perennial |
| Hardiness Zone |
4-9 |
| Mature Size |
28-32 in tall, 34-36 in wide |
| Sun |
Full sun |
| Soil |
Well-drained, lean to average |
| Bloom Time |
Mid to late summer |
| Bloom Color |
Lavender-blue |
| Deer Resistant |
Yes |
| Drought Tolerant |
Yes |
Why Denim ‘n Lace for Wisconsin
Standard Russian sage gets tall and floppy. Denim ‘n Lace was bred to fix that. It tops out around 30 inches, holds itself upright without staking, and produces heavier flower coverage than the species. The silvery foliage and lavender-blue spikes create a haze of cool color from July through September. Deer and rabbits leave it alone. Once established, it handles drought without blinking.
Planting Instructions
When: Spring, after last frost.
Where: Full sun, hot spots. The hotter and drier the better.
How: Space 30-36 inches apart. Do not amend the soil or fertilize. Lean soil produces sturdier stems. Good drainage is essential.
Care Throughout the Season
Spring: Cut back to 6-8 inches in late spring once you see new buds on the stems. Do not cut back too early in spring; it’s one of the last perennials to show new growth.
Summer: Blooms mid-summer. No deadheading needed.
Fall: Leave the stems standing. The dried seed heads have winter interest.
Winter: Leave stems intact. They protect the crown from frost and look good with snow.
Common Problems in Wisconsin
Root rot: The number one killer. Avoid wet, heavy soil. Never overwater. If your soil is clay, plant in a raised bed or amend heavily with gravel.
Late emergence: Don’t panic in spring when it seems dead. Russian sage is always the last thing to wake up. Wait until late May to see growth.
Companion Planting
Coneflower for warm-tone contrast. Black-eyed Susan creates a prairie meadow effect. Sedum picks up the fall color baton. Ornamental grasses like Karl Foerster for vertical accents.
Design and Landscape Uses
Hot, sunny borders. Gravel gardens. Mass plantings along driveways. Mixed with ornamental grasses for a naturalistic look. The silver foliage softens any planting combination. Works beautifully against dark-foliaged shrubs like ninebark.
Fun Fact
Despite the name, Russian sage is not actually related to culinary sage (Salvia) and it’s not from Russia. The genus Perovskia is native to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The common name stuck because the foliage looks and smells somewhat sage-like. Denim ‘n Lace was a Proven Winners introduction.
| Common Name |
Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea |
| Botanical Name |
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Renhy’ |
| Plant Type |
Deciduous shrub |
| Hardiness Zone |
4-8 |
| Mature Size |
6-7 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide |
| Sun |
Full sun to part shade |
| Soil |
Moist, well-drained |
| Bloom Time |
Mid-summer to fall |
| Bloom Color |
White aging to pink to strawberry red |
| Deer Resistant |
Moderate |
Why Vanilla Strawberry for Wisconsin
Vanilla Strawberry was one of the first panicle hydrangeas to show strong color change through the season. The flower heads open creamy white in July, then transition through shades of pink to a deep strawberry red by September. Each panicle shows multiple colors at once because the flowers at the bottom age faster than those at the top. Hardy to Zone 4, it blooms on new wood, so Wisconsin winters never cost you a year of flowers.
Planting Instructions
When: Spring or early fall.
Where: Full sun for the most intense color development. Part shade is fine but pinking may be less dramatic.
How: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Amend heavy clay with compost. Water deeply and mulch.
Care Throughout the Season
Spring: Cut back to 12-18 inches in late winter or early spring. This promotes strong new growth and larger flower heads. Blooms form on new wood.
Summer: Flowers start appearing in July. Keep soil consistently moist for the best blooms. A layer of mulch helps.
Fall: The color show peaks in September. Leave the dried flower heads on for winter interest or cut for dried arrangements.
Winter: Hardy and dormant. The dried panicles look striking with snow on them.
Common Problems in Wisconsin
Floppy stems: Heavy flower heads can cause stems to lean, especially after rain. Hard spring pruning to a low framework helps. Staking individual stems is another option.
Leaf scorch: In full sun during heat waves, leaf edges can brown. Consistent moisture and mulch prevent this.
Companion Planting
Catmint at the base provides blue contrast. Sedum carries the fall color theme. Ornamental grasses add movement alongside the heavy flower heads. Boxwood provides evergreen structure in winter when the hydrangea is bare.
Design and Landscape Uses
Specimen plant, mixed shrub border, foundation planting, or cut flower garden. The multi-color blooms make a single plant look like an arrangement. Plant where you walk past it daily to watch the color transformation. Makes an outstanding cut flower, both fresh and dried.
Fun Fact
The color change in Vanilla Strawberry is triggered by the pigment anthocyanin, which develops as the flowers age. Cooler night temperatures in fall accelerate the color shift. This is the same pigment responsible for fall leaf color in maples. The name Vanilla Strawberry refers to the two-tone appearance: vanilla (white) at the top and strawberry (pink-red) at the bottom of each panicle.
