As the saying goes, money can’t buy happiness. But money can buy plants, and plants make us happy; therefore, money can indeed buy happiness, as long as you spend your money on plants.
Perennials are among the plants that make gardeners happiest, and new perennials are always intriguing. We are in gardening’s golden age, as plant breeders have never been more prolific.
Brand new, never-before-identified species of garden perennials are rare, as botanists have likely discovered most of the botanical plant types that will thrive in perennial gardens.
But breeders have been energetic in developing new cultivars of existing perennials to bring us vibrant new varieties.
Hearts on Fire Bleeding Heart has deeper red flowers than the traditional pink.
Contributed / Proven Winners
Take daylilies, for example. Modern hybrids have huge flowers, fascinating textures and colors, and are almost unidentifiable compared to older, small, loosely flowered types.
Here is a sampling of newer perennials on my wish list.
Violets are Blue Delphinium – A midsize delphinium for adding height to the middle of a flower garden. Winter-hardy to Zone 3, its flowers are a blend of deep violet, purple and blue, with a white center. Selected for strong stems that support the weight of the spike-shaped flowers.
Violets are Blue Delphinium have deep violet, purple and blue flowers with a white center.
Contributed / Proven Winners
Hearts on Fire Bleeding Heart – A new twist on an old favorite, this cultivar has deeper red flowers than the traditional type’s pinkish tone. Thrives in shaded gardens and is winter hardy to Zone 3.
Knock ‘em Red Coneflower – An echinacea selected for large flowers, well-branched form and fluorescent red color. Winter hardy to Zone 4.
Perfect Edging Ornamental Fescue – An ornamental grass for the middle of a flower border, this cultivar has variegated creamy-white edges surrounding blue-green leaves. Showy seed heads appear in mid-summer.
Pink Lightning Luminary Garden Phlox is resistant to mildew that other tall garden phlox varieties are susceptible.
Contributed / Proven Winners
Athena Gold Heliopsis – This compact false sunflower grows to about 18 inches with sunny yellow flowers on well-branched mounded plants. Winter hardy to Zone 3.
Glazed and Infused Heuchera – A coral bells cultivar with large silver leaves featuring charcoal-black veins and gentle ruffling, forming a dense, mounding habit. Deep rose-pink flowers appear in early summer, growing in either sun or shade with a winter hardiness to Zone 4.
Garnet Globes Summerific Hardy Hibiscus – Growing 3 feet high and wide, the plant produces huge garnet red flowers 7 inches in diameter. These tropical-looking perennials are hardy to Zone 4, or Zone 3 if given winter protection.
Lemon Purrfection Catmint is compact with lavender blue flowers over golden yellow foliage.
Contributed / Proven Winners
Chance Encounter Hosta – Described as a premium hosta, this shade-loving perennial has powdery blue leaves with wide gold margins, turning from apple green to gold as they mature. Growing to a modest height of 14 inches and a width of 3 feet. Hardy to Zone 3.
Catwalk Queen Catmint – The striking lavender-blue flowers are large, twice the size of typical catmints, with extended bloom. Thrives even in hot, dry locations and is fully winter hardy to Zone 3.
Lemon Purrfection Catmint – A compact catmint with lavender blue flowers over golden yellow foliage, growing to only about 12 inches high and 18 inches wide. It has an extended summer blooming period and is hardy to Zone 3.
Gigantosaurus Hosta can grow to nearly 30 inches high and over 6 feet wide.
Contributed / Proven Winners
Treasure Trove Rudbeckia – A black-eyed Susan with large golden yellow flowers on well-branched stems growing to about 36 inches high and wide. It’s highly resistant to disease, which can affect other types and is winter hardy to Zone 4.
Bobblehead Allium is a more robust plant with earlier blooms.
Contributed / Proven Winners
Gigantosaurus Hosta – Growing to nearly 30 inches high and over 6 feet wide, this huge hosta features massive blue leaves with wavy yellow margins. Pale lavender flowers appear in summer, held just above the foliage. This premium hosta is fully winter hardy in Zone 3, and prefers shade or partial shade.
Living Large Big Sky Salvia – A super-sized perennial salvia with violet blue flowers and a dense rosette of large green leaves. Growing to 30 inches high and wide, it’s larger than other salvias and is winter hardy to Zone 3.
Pink Lightning Luminary Garden Phlox – The Luminary series was selected for its resistance to the mildews that can affect other tall garden phlox types. The bright pink flowers have a starburst pattern on plants hardy to Zone 3.
Bobblehead Allium – Larger, light lavender flowers and a more robust plant with earlier blooms make this cultivar a popular choice to replace older types. Winter hardy to Zone 4, or Zone 3 with added protection.
Living Large Big Sky Salvia is a super-sized perennial with violet blue flowers and a dense rosette of large green leaves.
Contributed / Proven Winners
Comments are closed.