Plant breeders are listening to growers and gardeners, who are asking for low input, drought-tolerant plants that look great. There are some exciting new additions to this year's line up of new plant introductions, including some lovely low-water annuals and tough perennials that perform well all summer.

Look for these plants, and others like them, at your local member garden centre this spring. Keep in mind that plants are a living commodity, and availability depends on more than weather and growing environment. Knowledgeable garden centre staff will be able to suggest similar varieties should the specific one you are searching for be temporarily unavailable.

Lemon Slice Superbells® Calibrachoa Superbells® Lemon Slice The unique colour pattern of Lemon Slice has never been seen in a Calibrachoa. Lemon Slice has a great mounding habit that works well in containers, hanging baskets and in combination with other medium-vigour varieties. Proven Winners Maidera elephant ears Colocasia ‘Maidera’ This fabulous new Colocasia has corrugated green and black leaves, and is hardy to Zone 6 – so may overwinter in parts of Canada. Grows 90 cm (36-in.) tall and wide. Hort Couture/JVK Luscious lantana series Lantana camara Luscious series The Luscious series adds vibrancy and exceptional performance to the continuous blooming that lantanas are known for, as well as being butterfly and hummingbird magnets. New this year is Berry Blend, one of the largest in the series, it grows up to 90 cm (36 in.) tall. Pina Colada has masses of white flowers with yellow centres and will grow to 60 cm (24 in.) tall. Proven Winners Blushing PrincessTM and Frosty KnightTM alyssum Lobularia Blushing PrincessTM and Frosty KnightTM Blushing Princess is a lavender-toned version of Snow Princess®. The fragrant flowers open white and turn to a lavender silver in a day. Exposure to full sun increases the lavender flower colour. Frosty KnightTM has 50 per cent of the vigour of Snow Princess, so is a great choice in combination with other medium-vigour plants. Its performance in the heat equals that of Snow Princess®. Proven Winners Blue ZebraTM primula Primula acaulis Blue ZebraTM Stunning blue and white striped flowers with golden eyes. A great plant to jumpstart spring sales. Best in cool temperatures and requires shade in the summer months. A great choice for a tabletop container mixed with delicate ferns and mosses. Hort Couture/JVK Under the Sea coleus series Solenostemon Under the Sea Bred by students at the University of Saskatchewan, Under the Sea coleus have interesting and complex leaf shape and colours. New additions this year are ‘Electric Coral’ with lobed leaves of chartreuse, red and green: ‘Lion Fish’ with deeply dissected purple leaves fringed with chartreuse; and ‘King Crab’ with huge crab-shaped leaves of red edged with chartreuse margins. Hort Couture/JVK

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