Cool New Plants for 2009 III

OK, one more "New Plants for 2009" post before spring. We had a good thaw here a few weeks ago, but it's been up and down ever since. It's -8C at the moment, and I would expect that we will get one more good dump of the white stuff before April.

Cypripedium reginae (Showy, or Queen's Lady's Slipper) of course is not new, but I'm so excited that we finally have a decent crop of this exotic beauty, that's is certainly worth the honour. It is native to most of the provinces and states in North America's northeast quandrant, but is endangered or threatened in most of those areas. My crop has been produced via tissue culture -- not harvested from the wild. In the garden, it's not one for the average sunny border, but with an evenly moist, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in partial shade, it is not difficult. For some excellent photographs, click here.














Eryngium planum 'Jade Frost' is a wonderfully variegated version of the Flat Sea Holly, and originated in the Cornwall (UK) garden of James and Megan Cave. Most photographs show off the foliage with a dramatic pink tinge on the cream-edged green leaves -- this trait apparent during periods of cooler temperatures.














Less common are photographs of the plant in a mature state with the "blue" flowers. In either case, this is a definite "must-have" for any serious gardener.


















Heuchera 'Beaujolais' is another excellent introduction from Frenchman Thierry Delabroye -- this one with large, dark leaves overlaid with silver. It is a great intermediate colour between the brighter types like 'Caramel', and the darker ones like 'Mocha'. As with most of Thierry's hybrids, there is significant H. villosa influence which should add to its vigour, especially with our hot, humid summers.



















These are another three new plants I intend to add to my garden this spring. I hope you will too.

Here's to dirt under your nails.

MPD

Cool New Plants for 2009

New plants still make the plant and garden world go around, at least for most that consider themselves interested in gardening as a hobby. Something new is usually something different, and experiencing some of that is half the fun.

This is despite frustrations in recent years, and therefore some current scepticism, and increased wariness. No doubt with current economic conditions, most will be more cautious in there purchase decisions.

For casual or non-hobby gardeners, new plants still provide, at least hopefully, improved forms and more colourful selections to choose from.

Here are a few that my nursery is offering as "new" for 2009:



















Coreopsis 'Red Shift' is another introduction in the Big Bang™ series by Darrel Probst, and comes after eight years of hybridizing many species. Large (5cm, 2") yellow flowers boast an interesting red eye-zone, and in cooler weather, the red colour "runs" to cover most and somestime all of the petals. Plants reach 75-90cm (30-36") in height, and bloom from mid-summer through fall. It has overwintered in zone 5.

Below is a collage of some of the other hybrids that Darrel is working on. WOW!


































Heuchera 'Plum Royale' is a cool new Heuchera (Coral Bells) from Terra Nova Nurseries (Oregon). I've always loved good ol' 'Plum Pudding', and 'Plum Royale' simply looks like an improved version of that classic variety. Terra Nova is promoting the fact that it maintains the shiny purple foliage all summer, and suggests combining it with silver-foliaged plants.




















Hosta 'Rainforest Sunrise' is a cute small variety (45cm wide) with excellent golden-yellow leaves that are edged in dark green. The above photograph shows a plant in our trial gardens a couple years back, and was likely grown in too much sun. In any case, it still performed admirably, and it remains the brightest variety that I've seen to date.

Here's to dirt under your nails.

MPD