A long, long time ago, well before the Salt & Straws of the world existed, ice cream was limited to just 30 flavors.

That is, until Baskin-Robbins came along with 31 — yes 31 — flavors, and the world of frozen confections was never the same.

And now, the passionate plant people at the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon have come up with 30 of what they consider the coolest plants to commemorate the anniversary of their wonderful organization.

They limited it to 30 — many of which you’ll be able to find at the plant society’s Hortlandia plant sale April 14-15 at the Expo Center — because the august group’s sale turns 30 this year.

Given that I did not turn 30 this year — or in any year in more than 30 years — I am not subject to the same constraints.

So, while their list is absolutely fabulous, I have a couple of my own choices I’d like to add, starting with daiquiri ice. Oh wait ... that was my favorite Baskin-Robbins flavor as a kid (and don’t worry, it was alcohol-free — I think.).

As for plants, just looking at our garden, a few that come to mind (and heart) are:

Contorted hardy orange 'Flying Dragon'

Its structure is, as advertised, contorted, and I just love the shape. That, and anyone foolish enough to try to take it would have dozens of nasty puncture wounds from its wicked thorns (Latin name: Poncirus trifoliata).

It was the plant EVERYONE would talk about when they walked by our front garden last year, with gorgeous blossoms and striking stalks (Hesperaloe parviflora Brakelights).

It blooms in mid to late winter and the tight yellow blossoms smell divine, even when there is snow on the ground (Edgeworthia papyrifera).

Or, as I call it, the teeny-tiny-leaved wiry plants we bought at Xera (yes, Xera will be at Hortlandia) on our back deck., although I like the sound of Wiggy-wig. I've been convinced each of the last two winters that these natives of New Zealand have met their doom, only to see the oh-so-delicate appearing leaves show up in March on their strikingly intricate frames (Muehlenbeckia astonii).

Granddaughter Noelle with the "wooly mammoth." (Photo by Marcia Peck)

I have quite a few favorite plants, but I think the one I'm most amazed and obsessed with at the moment is our neighbor Jeanne’s "woolly mammoth."

Driving by it at 25 mph, it seems like an ordinary-enough weeping Norway spruce. But when walking by it with our 5-year-old granddaughter, Noelle, and maybe even a little bit under the influence of Shel Silverstein’s "Where the Sidewalk Ends," it takes on a life of its own.

It looks just like a woolly mammoth, and with no help from pruning shears to boot; just plain old mother nature having a little bit of fun with us humans.

I have shared my observation with passers-by, and everyone is amused. Our granddaughter even pointed it out to Papa (Dennis) on a walk, explaining to him that it was the "mammoth tree," like that was a thing and who knew, maybe there could be a Sasquatch tree around the corner?

Speaking of prehistoric times, to celebrate their 30th anniversary, the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon decided to poll its members and ask them to pick their favorite plants.

An estimated 1,000 members responded, and, in no particular order, these are the 30 plants they picked.

Some are stalwarts of the garden, others unusual. Some of them are tried-and-true and easy to find, others a bit exotic and harder to track down. All of them are a wonderful choice for most any garden and many can be bought at the Hortlandia plant sale or your local nursery. (See the full list below)

I picked out and highlighted a few of my favorite plants from the list. They include:

Beautiful, powdery-blue leaves with nice toothy edges. Full sun, little water, well-drained soil, zone 7. 3 ft. x 6 ft.

Eryngium giganteum, 'Miss Willmott's Ghost'

This silvery blue, self-seeding biennial is a bee and people magnet in the garden. Full sun, low water, well-drained soil, zone 5-9. 30 in. by 18 in.

Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy'

Strappy burgundy leaves sport flower heads that resemble a pineapple. Full sun to part shade, zone 7-9. 18 in. by 18 in.

This silvery blue spurge looks great year-round, with lance-shaped leaves that form a spiral along the stems, topped by yellow flowers in the spring. The sap can cause skin irritation. Full sun, zone 7-11. 2 ft. by 2 ft.

This ornamental grass forms dense, gracefully arching mounds in part shade. Part shade, zone 5. 18 in. by 18 in.

Marrietta and Ernie O'Byrne hand-pollinate these beauties to produce the most amazing colors and form. Full to partial shade, zone 4-8. 18 in. x 24 in.

Many crape myrtles are multi-stemmed with beautiful bark and flowers that range from whites to reds. Full sun, zone 7-10.

Melianthus major 'Antonow's Blue'

This unusual plant has beautiful blue-green toothed leaves with reddish-brown flowers. Partial to full sun, zone 7-11. 6 ft. by 8 ft.

This small broad-leaved evergreen is adorned with long sprays of tiny white flowers in the fall. Part sun to light shade, zone 7b-9b.

Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'

This deciduous ornamental grass turns bronzey-orange with fluffy white seed heads in the fall. Full sun, zones 3-10, 3 ft. by 3 ft.

This architectural yucca is quite large with blue spikey leaves and easy care. Great in pots, too! Sun to partial shade, zone 6-11. 10 feet or more in height.

We’re coming up with a list of 30 Great Plants for Northwest Gardens, and WE NEED YOUR HELP! We already have a list of 20, but we need you to help make the final 10 selections. There’s a link to a poll in our profile — can’t wait to see what you choose! #gardening #hortlandia2018 #horticulture

A post shared by Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (@hardyplantsocietyoregon) on Feb 15, 2018 at 2:00pm PST

What: HPSO's annual plant and art sale When: April 14-15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Expo Center Who: About 60 nurseries will be offering plants for sale, and several dozen vendors will offer garden art, tools, books and other garden-related items. Cost: Admission is free, although the Expo Center charges for parking.

Highlights: Paul Bonine of Xera Plants and garden writer/photographer Amy Campion will be at Hortlandia to talk about and autograph their book, "Gardening in the Pacific Northwest," and Campion will also do a talk on pint-sized plants on April 15. You can read more about them in next week's column.

And now, the rest of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon’s favorite plants

Davidia involucrata 'Sonoma'

Choisya x dewitteana Aztec Pearl

Clematis 'Etoile Violette'

Fothergilla gardenii 'Blue Mist'

Rosa chinensis 'Mutabilis'

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