Oklahoma Proven has been providing guidance for 27 years

For more than a quarter of a century, the Oklahoma Proven program has been like an ace in the hole for gardeners. With years of research behind each selection, the Oklahoma Proven plants, trees and shrubs have been proven to grow well in Oklahoma’s diverse growing conditions. The 2025 selections are just what gardeners need to help ensure a successful growing season.

As always, Oklahoma Proven selections include a tree, shrub, perennial and annual. This year’s selections are tree, Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar; shrub, allspice or sweetshrub; perennial, narrow-leaf or swamp sunflower; and annual, globe amaranth.

With no serious insect or disease problems, the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar offers striking powder-blue foliage. This tree only grows up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, so it’s perfect for smaller landscapes. Soil should be well-drained in an area that receives full sun. Oklahoma features the 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b USDA growing zones, which is perfect for this tree.

Allspice or sweetshrub is a deciduous native shrub that reaches 6 to 12 feet high and equally as wide. Commonly referred to as Carolina Allspice or Common Sweetshrub, it is native to the southeast. It features showy, fragrant spring flowers that have the aroma of pineapple, strawberry and banana. Several cultivars and hybrids are now available, which makes this plant worthy of growing as an ornamental. Sweetshrubs are tolerant of deer damage and clay soils and looks great in a shrub border, naturalized area or patio planting. It tolerates full sun to deep shade and grows well in USDA zones 4-9.

A native that produces late-season flowers, the narrow-leaf or swamp sunflower loves full-sun exposure and prefers moist to occasionally wet soil. It can, however, tolerate drier soil but will need supplemental irrigation. This perennial is attractive to songbirds and pollinators and provides nectar from mid-summer to frost. It is beneficial in the winter because it produces seeds that songbirds, quail, mourning dove and small mammals eat. This sunflower is well-suited for USDA zones 5-9.

A tough annual, the globe amaranth is known for its globe-shaped flower heads that bloom all summer. It is available in many bright colors, including pink, red, purple, lilac, violet, orange and white. Globe amaranth is heat and drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for Oklahoma gardens, but it grows best with regular moisture. It has no serious pest problems and requires little maintenance. This annual is a great selection for beds, borders and containers. Plus, it attracts pollinators. 

Additional information and photographs of this year’s selections, along with the previous 26 years, can be found on the Oklahoma Proven website.