The gardening season is upon us, and with it, the anticipation of discovering new and exciting plants to grace our outdoor spaces. As an avid gardener and AP columnist, Jessica Damiano has embarked on a mission to test and evaluate the latest offerings from breeders and growers. Her trials and tribulations have led her to uncover a treasure trove of exceptional plants that are set to make a splash in this year's gardening scene.
One of the standout performers is the Digitalis Arctic Fox, a foxglove variety that boasts a unique 'Lemon Cream' and 'Rose' color combination. These old-time cottage garden biennials are not only visually captivating but also serve as a haven for hummingbirds and pollinators. Despite enduring a harsh winter, they have flourished and are currently blooming profusely, a testament to their resilience and beauty. However, it's important to note that Digitalis is highly poisonous, so it should be grown with caution, away from curious children and pets.
Another notable discovery is the Agastache mexicana Summerlong Series, also known as hummingbird mint. This plant comes in a range of vibrant colors, including coral, lilac, peach, magenta, and lemon. It has grown effortlessly, blooming well for a first-year plant and returning nicely in a sunny border. With an expected height and width of 16-22 inches, it is a versatile addition to any garden, thriving in zones 7-10.
The Calibrachoa Superbells 'Magic Double Grapefruit' is a stunning 'million bells' plant that produces double flowers with a mottled pink-and-yellow effect. Its drought-tolerant nature and ability to rebloom through frost make it an excellent choice for hanging baskets in full sun. This plant is a true showstopper, adding a touch of elegance and vibrancy to any garden setting.
Anemone Harlequin 'Cameo' is a perennial that produces joy-inducing, daisy-like pink flowers with uneven petals and bright yellow centers. Its mounded plants reach a height of 14 inches (26 inches including flower stems) and a width of 18 inches, making it a versatile addition to any garden. Suitable for full sun to part shade, it is a reliable performer from early summer through frost.
Echinacea French Tips are a coneflower variety that stands out for its white-tipped pink petals, reminiscent of a French manicure. These mounded plants attract pollinators and bloom nearly nonstop from summer through fall, making them a favorite among gardeners. With an expected height and width of 20-24 inches at maturity, they are considered deer-resistant and a must-have for any garden.
Lobelia Laguna Royal Blue Pearl is an airy plant that remains covered in deep blue flowers with white centers all summer long, filling sunny containers densely. Its versatility extends to edging plants or rock and crevice gardens, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Treated as annuals, these plants are 8-12 inches tall with a 10-12-inch spread, and are more heat-tolerant than earlier Lobelias.
Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud is a petunia variety that blooms continuously through frost as a container or bedding plant. Its ruffled petals and fading white centers provide eye-catching detail against its cotton-candy pink petals. With an expected height and width of 6-12 inches and a trailing length of up to 24 inches in a pot, it is a versatile and eye-catching addition to any garden.
Begonia Hula White is a unique variety with a spreading habit and dense branching that allows cheery, yellow-centered white flowers to completely obscure those stems. With a height of 6-10 inches and a width of 20-27 inches in either sun or shade, it is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any garden.
Light Pink Beacon and Blue Pearl Impatiens are always a great choice for their resistance to downy mildew, a fatal disease that often plagues the straight species Impatiens walleriana. These new varieties produce vibrant yet elegant and understated flowers that perform like champs in full to part shade. With a height and width of 14-18 inches, they are a versatile and reliable choice for any garden.
Spreading Petunia Shock Wave Rose Vein is a bi-colored beauty that spreads while retaining a somewhat mounded shape, making it a controlled and eye-catching addition to any garden. With a height of 7-10 inches and a width of 20-30 inches, it commands attention without clashing with nearby plants, making it a versatile and attractive choice for any garden.
In my opinion, these plants are not just a treat for the eyes but also a testament to the innovation and creativity of breeders and growers. They offer a wide range of options for gardeners, from the visually stunning to the resilient and low-maintenance. As Jessica Damiano's trials have shown, these plants are not just pretty faces but also reliable performers that can enhance any garden.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the diversity of these plants, from the unique color combinations of Digitalis Arctic Fox to the versatile nature of Agastache mexicana Summerlong Series. It's a reminder that there's always something new and exciting to discover in the world of gardening, and that the possibilities are endless. So, as you plan your garden this year, keep an eye out for these exceptional plants and prepare to be amazed by their beauty and resilience.
