New Perennials for 2009 - Landscape Ontario

March 8, 2009

New Perennials introduced for 2009

‘Moonray’ threadleaf coreopsis Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonray’ A sport of the ever-popular ‘Moonbeam’ discovered at Walters Gardens, ‘Moonray’ produces masses of light creamy yellow blossoms atop airy clumps of fine, needle-like foliage. The plants bloom all summer for three continuous months, and are vigorous growers just like ‘Moonbeam’. Adds a beautiful finely textured element to the garden and combines well with other pastel-coloured perennials. Grows up to 30 cm (24 in.) tall and wide.
‘Petite’ Cheddar pinks Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Petite’ A drought-tolerant perennial with light-gray foliage, this Dianthus fits snugly on the ground and covers the area completely. Tiny, charming, pink flowers bloom on short spikes in late spring and early summer. Bring various levels of height and interest into the garden by planting ‘Petite’ with taller perennials. Needs sharp drainage to succeed and will thrive even under moderate foot traffic. Grows 2.5 cm (1 in.) tall in full to partial sun.
‘Wicked Witch’ border pink Dianthus ‘Wicked Witch’ Border pinks are a group of Dianthus that are a traditional favourite for planting in rock gardens or using as a border edging. This outstanding variety forms a low cushion of grassy blue-grey foliage, with an early-summer display of fragrant single cherry-red blooms. Shear plants back lightly after blooming to maintain a tight, compact habit. Plants require good drainage and are an excellent choice for hot dry sites or gravelly soils. Combines beautifully with other low alpine plants. Attractive to butterflies.
‘Green Envy’ coneflower Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Envy’ This bicoloured Echinacea is an historic first. ‘Green Envy’ flowers in a jade green colour with brilliant magenta veining. The flowers retain their vibrant green hue from the time they flower in mid-July through the fall months. Petals remain round, and the cone a deep green for a considerable period. In later stages of maturity, the petals gradually elongate, taking on a magenta veining, while the cone also turns a dark purplish tone. Grows 75-90 cm (30-36 in.).
‘Mac ‘n’ Cheese’ coneflower Echinacea purpurea ‘Mac ‘n’ Cheese’ Warm 11 cm (4.5 in.) golden blooms cover this new Echinacea. Strong, well-branched stems grow up to 65 cm (26 in.) tall. A perfect complement for E. ‘Tomato Soup’! Full sun.
‘Tomato Soup’ coneflower Echinacea purpurea ‘Tomato Soup’ Warm, tomato-red flowers to 12.5 cm (5 in.) wide stunned visitors to the plant breeder’s nursery. Can grow up to 90 cm (36 in.) tall, showing excellent strength andi covered in flowers until frost. A natural pairing with E. ‘Mac’ ‘n’ Cheese.’ Full sun.
‘Jade Frost’ sea holly Eryngium planum ‘Jade Frost’ Sea holly features open umbels of prickly flowers, which are a favourite for cutting, fresh or dried. This unusual selection has grey-green leaves edged in creamy white, developing pink tones during the cooler months. Stems and flower clusters are a rich violet blue, appearing in early to midsummer. Tolerant of hot, dry sites, and soils high in salts. For drying, pick stems just as the flower clusters open fully, and hang upside down to dry in a warm, dark place. Attractive to butterflies. Found in the Cornwall, U.K. garden of James and Megan Cave.
Commotion® ‘Tizzy’ and Commotion® ‘Frenzy’ blanket flower Gaillardia Commotion® ‘Tizzy’ and Commotion® ‘Frenzy’ ‘Tizzy’ is a a fluted form with deep russet red buds opening to ray petals that range from red to a rosy terra cotta, outlined with yellow. ‘Frenzy’ offers a fluted form with red buds opening to dark red ray petals with distinct yellow tips and a yellow and red centre. A high petal count on both these varieties gives the blossoms a very full, almost semi-double appearance that is set off by a tidy, rounded mound of dark green foliage. Prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Deadheading and regular feeding promotes continuous blooming. The flowers are vibrant and full, and will brighten gardens from May through the first hard frost. Grows 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) tall and spreads 60 cm (24 in.).
Blue Sunrise cranesbill Geranium ‘Blogold’ A long-blooming hybrid cranesbill, a huge improvement on the older types. This forms a low, sprawling mound of deeply cut leaves that start out amber in spring, changing to chartreuse and later green. Clusters of deep violet-blue cup-shaped flowers appear in early summer, continuing for months, especially in cool-summer regions. Excellent for massing or using near the border edge, also in containers. If flowering stops in midsummer, prune plants back to 10 cm (4 in.) to rejuvenate. Could well prove to be hardy in Zones 3 or colder.
‘Dragon Heart’ hardy geranium Geranium ‘Dragon Heart’ A recent introduction from the UK, this is a long-flowering hybrid useful for a flash of colour in the border. It forms a midsized and somewhat trailing mound of very large deeply-cut leaves, holding clusters of exceptionally large black-eyed blooms of glowing magenta purple. Wonderful when weaving among other border perennials, around shrubs or spilling down slopes or walls. Bred by Alan Bremner of Scotland.
‘Starman’ hardy geranium Geranium ‘Starman’ This long-blooming cranesbill has a compact, mounding form that makes it perfect along the front edge of a border, growing from a wall or in the rock garden, as well as in mixed containers. Clusters of flowers are deep pink with purple markings in the centre of each petal that form an interesting star pattern. The plant is truly loaded with flowers in early summer, continuing to bloom for many weeks. Trim back in midsummer if blooming begins to wane. Easily divided in spring or early autumn.
‘Magic Color’ coral bells Heuchera ‘Magic Color’ This hybrid coral bells selection is a terrific choice for adding a touch of colour towards the front of a border. The lobed leaves begin green with red veins and gold edges, ageing to silver with purple veins and red edges. Sprays of creamy flowers appear in early summer. Protect from hot afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. Remove any winter-burned leaves in the spring, otherwise no pruning is required.
‘Pinot Gris’ coral bells Heuchera ‘Pinot Gris’ Lobed leaves are ginger-gold in spring, maturing to smoky-rose with a heavy overlay of silver and purple undersides. Taller sprays of ivory flowers appear in mid to late summer. Sturdy in habit, nice for borders, containers or around shrubs in sun or shade. Remove any winter-burned leaves in the spring, otherwise no pruning is required. Developed in France by plant breeder Thierry Delabroye.
‘Earth Angel’ hosta Hosta ‘Earth Angel’ This spectacular large specimen selection has thick blue-green leaves with a wide and streaky margin of light yellow to creamy white. Lavender flowers appear in June. Clumps may be easily divided in the spring or fall. A tissue-culture mutation of ‘Blue Angel’, discovered by Hans Hansen of Shady Oaks Nursery in Minnesota.
‘Fat Cat’ hosta Hosta ‘Fat Cat’ This large specimen selection has rounded and lightly corrugated leaves of yellow-gold. Near-white flowers appear in June. Given room this can grow to be fairly enormous.
‘Rosedale Golden Goose’ hosta Hosta ‘Rosedale Golden Goose’ This medium-large specimen selection has thick, bright gold leaves with a beautiful corrugated texture. Lavender flowers appear in July. Reported to have good slug tolerance and outstanding sun tolerance. Clumps may be easily divided in the spring or fall.
‘Sugar Daddy’ hosta Hosta ‘Sugar Daddy’ Hosta are among the most popular of perennials for shady areas, with hundreds of varieties now readily available. Plants form sturdy mounds of foliage, topped with lily-like blooms. This midsized specimen selection has very thick, corrugated powder-blue leaves with a streaky creamy-white margin. Near white flowers appear in June. Excellent slug resistance. A sport of ‘Big Daddy.’
Goldwell veronica Veronica prostata ‘Verbrig’ USPP Short spikes of soft violet-blue flowers are a wonderful contrast to the colourful foliage in late spring. Narrow dark-green leaves have a crisp golden-yellow edge, staying attractive all season long. A beautiful edging plant, great when massed or grown in the sunny rock garden. Tolerates heat and drought once established. Clip or mow after flowering to maintain an especially dense and compact habit.

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