New Perennials for 2009

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Violet Intrigue Lavendula has one the deepest and richest colors we've seen in lavenders. As with most perennials the best color occurs the second or third year.

Vivid Colors and Long Lasting Flowers

It is always challenging to pick 5-6 perennials to writer about when there are many, many new perennials that are introduced each year. When we were looking over this year's options we focused on color, flowers that we believe will provide the longest flowering period and will also tolerate our Zone 5 growing conditions.

New perennials for 2009 include:

Jethro Tull Coreopsis – This summer bloomer boasts brilliantly golden yellow fluted daisy like flowers. Once established, it is a tough plant and is drought tolerant. It produces large amounts of flowers and grows 12-15" tall and takes full sun to light shade.

Summer Sky Echinacea – This summer to late fall bloomer is truly unique in that it is a multicolored Echinacea. Each petal of Summer Sky is colored shades of coral, orange, gold and rosy-pink, with considerable variations in color occurring as the plant ages. The plant produces flowers for up to five months and each flower can be 5" wide. The plant grows 2.5-3' tall and takes full sun to light shade.

Oranges & Lemons Gaillardia – This summer to late fall bloomer consists of a yellow centered orange cone surrounded by orange and sunny yellow petals that can be 2.5" wide. It grows 12-18" tall and needs full sun. This newer variety can also produce flowers for up to five months.

Violet Intrigue Lavandula – The color of Violet Intrigue knocked us out. It by far, is one of the deepest violet colored Lavandulas we have seen. This compact plant also has a strong fragrance and reaches 18-22" in height and needs full sun.

Wendy House Phlox – This Phlox is unique in its compact habit and true deep purple flowers. It holds up well in hot and humid weather and displays good mildew resistance. It blooms mid summer through fall and reaches 20" in height. It needs full sun.

Henry Eilers Rudbeckia – This variety displays all the hardiness of Rudbeckias but has a different and striking type of flower. They have gold-quilled petals surrounding chocolate-brown button centers, like bright yellow pinwheels. They reach 3-4' in height and take full sun to light shade.

Elizabeth van Veen Astilbe japonica – This June to July bloomer has deep raspberry colored plumes that contrasts well with its glossy, emerald-green , red-stemmed foliage. It is truly unique. It reaches 2' in height and prefers light to moderate shade.