Sunday, March 30, 2014

What's New?

I attended a workshop with the Garden Writers at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show and enjoyed hearing about new perennial introductions.  Many years we become very excited about new plants only to become quickly disappointed when we can't find them in the nurseries.  This time it was different in that all of these new introductions are available online or at your local nursery.

Kickin Asters
Forms a full, bushy dense mound of mildew resistant foliage, very floriferous from late summer into fall, replacement for Woods Asters
 

Summer Sparkles Baby's Breath
Forms a dense bushy mound that does not go summer dormant, blooms from late spring to early fall
 
 
Winter Thrillers Hellebore
50-100 blooms per mature plant, outward facing, keeps color long after they are spent, 3 - 4 inch flowers
 
Nepeta Cat's Meow
Keeps its neatly mounding shape all season, does not split open like Walker's Low, can be sheared to promote rebloom
 
Glamour Girl Phlox
A tall phlox that does not have to be staked, disease resistant foliage
 
Modern Daylilies
El Desperado
High bud count, foliage remains attractive all season, does not have to be cut back until late fall, more sunfast, some bloom 16 hours or more, some recommendations:  Pewter Pink, Cherokee Star, Erin Lea, Blackthorne, Marque Moon, Midnight Raider, Mighty Chestnut, Monterey Jack, Stolen Treasure
 
 
Pure Joy Sedum
Perfectly mounded, edging for front of border, bubblegum pink flowers