Criteria Overview
Plants eligible for Secrest Select designation must exhibit noteworthy performance within Secrest Arboretum’s plant collection for a minimum number of years:
- Trees – 20 years
- Shrubs and Vines – 10 years
- Herbaceous Perennials and Groundcovers – 5 year
The primary criteria determining noteworthy performance are:
- Relative ease of cultivation, management, and care
- Tolerance of drought, heat, cold (minimum USDA Zone 6A) and other adverse environmental factors
- Ornamental characteristics in mutiple seasons
- Useful, functional, or ecological benefits in at least one season
- Non-invasive and showing no potential for invasiveness
- Reasonably available in local horticultural commerce, at Secrest plant sales, or via reputable mail order nurseries