Top 5 Plant Genera of 2024

As we anticipate what this year has in store, let’s take a quick rewind to 2024—plant edition! We’re highlighting our top 5 plant genera of 2024. Will any of these surprise you? Read on to find out!

The Top 5 Plant Genera of 2024

Happy New Year from all of us at North Creek! We wish you a year full of joy and success. As we reflect on the past year, cherishing the memories and achievements, we thought it would be the perfect moment to spotlight our top five most-ordered plant genera—favorites chosen by you, our loyal customers. Join us as we explore what makes these plants so beloved. Welcome to North Creek’s 2024 Plant Rewind. Let’s celebrate the new year together!

Kicking off the countdown at #5 is the incredible Asclepias! We’re thrilled to offer six stunners of this show-stopping favorite. Loved by gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Asclepias serves as a crucial host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars, playing a vital role in their life cycle. Our customers are passionate about creating beautiful spaces that also benefit wildlife and protect the environment. For a native classic, you can’t go wrong with Asclepias syriaca, an iconic choice for habitat restoration. Looking to enhance your garden with a plant that makes visiting butterflies sparkle in the sunlight? Asclepias incarnata ‘Ice Ballet’ is the perfect choice, with its striking white blooms and dark foliage. Or, if you want to add a vibrant touch to your bioswales or rain garden, Asclepias incarnata is the way to go. No matter which one you choose, you’ll be making a meaningful contribution to the conservation of monarch butterflies. Let’s work together to save the monarchs! 419;

#4

Nothing brightens up a shade garden like a native pop of color! Coming in at #4 on our list is the enchanting Tiarella. Beloved for its lush, lobed foliage and delicate, star-shaped blooms that grace the springtime, this family is a standout choice for woodland gardens and naturalized areas. With five fantastic options available at North Creek, it’s easy to see why this groundcover is a fan favorite. For a classic choice, stick with the straight species, Tiarella cordifolia. Known for its resilience and lack of serious pest or disease issues, it spreads beautifully along border fronts, naturalistic plantings, and among graceful sedges. Craving something with extra flair? Tiarella 'Running Tapestry' is sure to impress. Its deeply lobed leaves feature striking burgundy veining, creating a stunning, tapestry-like effect that transforms the ground into a work of art. If you haven’t discovered the charm of Tiarella yet, now’s the perfect time to fall in love!

#3

Stepping into the world of ferns, Athyrium claims the #3 spot on our list! It’s easy to see why these beauties are so beloved—they bring unique texture, softness, and elegance to any garden, all while being relatively low-maintenance. With a wide array of cultivars to choose from, there’s no shortage of colors and textures to explore. Check out the seven stunning options we offer! For a truly eye-catching choice, consider Athyrium × 'Ghost'. This striking fern, also known as the ghost fern, features silver-white fronds with a graceful upright habit. As the leaves mature to a soft green, fresh fronds continue to emerge throughout the season, offering a formal and luminous presence in shady gardens. Then there’s Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae', aptly dubbed the “Queen of Green” by Dr. John Mickel, former curator of ferns at the New York Botanical Garden and author of Ferns for American Gardens. This remarkable selection boasts pinnae that crisscross to form an intricate ‘X’ pattern, creating fronds that are as distinctive as they are captivating—a true showstopper for gardens or containers. Whether you’re seeking texture, effortless care, or extraordinary foliage, Athyrium is the perfect answer!

#2

Before we crown our winner, let’s give a round of applause to our incredible runner-up! Easy to grow, available in a stunning array of colors and leaf patterns, adaptable to various settings, and celebrated for their long blooming period—is it any surprise that Geraniums are such a favorite? Few plants can match their versatility and charm. With their ability to thrive in containers, both outdoors and indoors by a sunny window, Geraniums are a go-to choice for gardeners everywhere. We’re proud to offer eight gorgeous selections, each more delightful than the last! Craving hundreds of vibrant blooms in late spring? Look no further than Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Karmina'. Its blossoms persist from late spring through early-to-mid summer, with a sporadic rebloom that sometimes lasts into fall! Or does Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' catch your nose? 'Bevan's Variety' is a sensory delight, with aromatic leaves often likened to rosewater. Bonus: it’s deer-resistant! Are you as excited as we are to unveil the #1 spot? Stay tuned!

#1

Are you surprised, or did you see this coming? Taking the crown at #1 is none other than Carex! With an impressive 16 different options available at North Creek, it’s no wonder this versatile sedge has claimed the top spot. Let’s give a round of applause for Carex! Beloved for its adaptability, low-maintenance nature, and ability to thrive in various conditions—including shade—Carex boasts diverse foliage textures and colors. It’s also an eco-friendly alternative to traditional lawns, making it a fantastic choice for natural landscaping and garden designs. Looking for a native sedge that spans from Texas to Quebec and Georgia to New Hampshire? Carex amphibola is a standout! This long-lived perennial sedge is a fantastic native substitute for Liriope and works beautifully in shade gardens, along woodland paths, or as a slope stabilizer. Plus, it’s deer-resistant and serves as a host plant for certain Lepidoptera larvae, adding ecological value to your landscape. And don’t overlook Carex pensylvanica! Native to eastern and central America, its tough, spreading nature makes it an excellent shade groundcover. Over time, it forms a lush, green carpet in challenging areas, providing an elegant solution for tricky spots. These are just two highlights from our 16 incredible options—there’s a Carex for every garden! Congratulations to Carex, our #1 plant genus of 2024!

We’re thrilled to discover what this year’s top plants will be as we continue to grow and evolve over the next 12 months! A heartfelt thank you to each of you for your loyalty, encouragement, trust, and support. You inspire us to keep improving and delighting our customers. Here’s to an incredible year ahead—let’s make it the best one yet!

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