New Year, New Plants! January is the time when producers across the country showcase their latest selections. They garden in all manner of ways, in beds, in containers, in the sun or in the shade, and are busy breeding plants that add color and vibrancy to the landscape.
Whether you want a tidal wave of vibrant flowers, statement-making foliage, or nectar-producing flowers to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, one of these plants has it. Expand your gardening horizons by trying out some of our introductions.
annual
Granvia ‘Peach Keen’ Bractantha: These straw flowers are large plants topped with large, vibrant flowers. ‘Peachy Keen’ blooms continuously from spring until frost. Flowers can be cut and dried for indoor use. full sun. 30 inches tall and 24 inches wide. From Suntory Flowers.
heart to heart ‘Snow Flurry’ Caladium: The heart-shaped emerald green leaves of this caladium are generously splashed with white water. Whether in containers or on the ground, ‘Snow Flurry’ is a cool and sophisticated choice to brighten up shaded areas. It can be overwintered as a foliage plant. From partial shade to shade. 20 inches tall and 10 inches wide. From a proven winner.
luscious basket tangelo Lantana: Heat-loving pollinator magnet with orange-yellow flowers. Blooming continuously, in heaping form, it’s a hanging basket knockout. No deadhead needed. full sun. 26 inches tall and 24 inches wide. From a proven winner.
Surfinia XXL ‘Toffee Pink’ Petunia: The flowers of this series are larger than ordinary petunias. I grew a ‘Toffee Pink’ last year and I could see the bright pink flowers cascading from the hanging baskets across the street. They bloomed for many months. Only the cold stopped the show. Part sun to sun. 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. From Suntory Flowers.
perennial
“Queen Nectarine” Agastache
“Queen Nectarine” Agastache: This anise hyssop has soft peach blossoms and big rippling habits. Attracts bees and hummingbirds. Blooms from early summer to late summer. This plant prefers soil on the dry side. full sun. 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide. USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9. From proven winners.
Astilbe “Dark Side of the Moon”
“Dark Side of the Moon” Astilbe: With dark chocolate foliage and purple flowers, Proven Winners says ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is the only variety on the market (other dark leaf varieties have pink flowers). ). Blooms in late summer, after most other astilbes. Partial to full shade. 22 inches tall, 28 inches spread, 34 inches when flowering. Zones 4-9. From proven winners.
Love “Titanium” Dicentra: Luscious blue-green foliage covered with pure white flowers that nod to the breeze. It is heat tolerant and blooms from spring to summer. Partial to full shade. 9″ tall, 18″ flower height, 14″ spread. Zones 5 through 9. By Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Panama Red Echinacea: This short, sassy coneflower has bright red flowers with dark centers. Pollinators and birds love it. Suitable for containers. It blooms from summer to autumn. full sun. Up to 14 inches tall with a similar spread. Zones 5-9. from Monrovia.
Seaside Serenade Crystal Cove Hydrangea: A stunning lace-cap hydrangea with unusual ruffled petals that turn purple-blue in acidic soils and deep pink in neutral or alkaline soils. Good at cut flowers. It blooms from summer to autumn. From partial shade to partial shade. They are 36″ to 48″ tall and have a similar spread. Zones 4-9. from Monrovia.
“Rocket Jr.” Kniphofia: A dwarf red hot poker with a compact quirk. This flower firework starts burning red at the top and turns yellow at the bottom. Blooms from late spring to autumn. full sun. 12″ tall, 16″ flower, 9″ spread. Zones 6 to 9. By Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Bling Rose Eau de Parfum: Classic hybrid tea-shaped fuchsia flowers on a lush, disease-resistant shrub. The flowers are fragrant and perfect for bouquets. Blooms from spring until frost. full sun. It has a similar spread up to 48 inches tall. Zones 5-10. from Monrovia.
Proven Winners and Monrovia sell some of the plants through their websites, mail-order nurseries, and garden centers. Suntory Flowers and Terra Nova Nursery sell only to vendors. Terra Nova lists retailer sources on her website. Please purchase Suntory flower varieties at your local garden center.