CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I'm not so old-fashioned after all. Recently I wrote about flowering quince -- one of my favorite shrubs. But many people think they are old-fashioned and aren't interested. A friend told me she likes the look but doesn't like the thorns.

Just last week Proven Winners plant growers announced that thornless, new-and-improved flowering quince bushes will be coming to a garden center near you!

These are just lovely plants. Also known as chaenomeles or Japanese quince, flowering quince is among the first shrubs to flower in early spring. It also flowers before it has leaves, creating an interesting contrast of colorful flowers on bare wood.

A breeding team at North Carolina State University has taken the thorns out of flowering quince. Called the Double Take Series, these new thornless varieties also offer doubled flowers in dramatic red, pink and orange hues.

In addition, the flowers contain higher petal counts, and resemble Camellias more than traditional quince, creating a burst of color in your garden in stark contrast to anything else in the landscape.

They are hardy in zones 5 through 8, like sunny locations and are drought-tolerant when established. They are also fruitless and grow 3 to 4 feet tall.

Another 'Winner'

It's that time of year -- the Perennial Plant Association has announced its 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year. Drum roll, please ...

The association has chosen Amsonia hubrichtii, more commonly known as Arkansas blue star or thread-leaf blue star. It's a plant that grows 36 inches tall and 36 inches wide in a mounded form. This hardy perennial grows in hardiness zones 4 through 9 and is a versatile North American native.

Amsonia offers a variety of features throughout the seasons. From late spring to early summer, 2- to 3-inch-wide clusters of small, light blue, star-shaped flowers are borne above the ferny foliage. The alternate-arranged leaves are bright green in spring and summer, but turn a bright yellow-golden color in fall.

Light: Plants thrive in full sun to partial shade.

Soil: This plant performs best in average, moist well-drained soil but tolerates less moisture. Once established, it can tolerate drier conditions.

Uses: This perennial for the seasons is an asset in borders, native gardens, cottage gardens or open woodland areas. It is best when massed. Arkansas blue star is attractive when mixed with ornamental grasses and plants that have attractive seed heads.

Unique qualities: Light blue flowers in spring are followed by marvelous foliage in summer. Golden-yellow fall color is second to none among herbaceous perennials.

Giving a terrarium another try

As a teen, I was fascinated by terrariums. My dad gave me a large glass bottle with a very small neck and we carefully created a little ecosystem in it. We filled the bottom with soil and put very small plants in it, using long, skinny dowel rods to place the plants. It was a fun project for us -- and the plants grew like crazy, creating a little jungle inside the jar.

I decided this would be a good project for this winter. I'm on the hunt for a jar, and I'll take photos as the project progresses. Any tips?

Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.