One of the most exciting aspects of gardening at this time of year can be the planning, scheming and dreaming about what you want to do in your garden this season.
There are always hundreds of new annual and perennial introductions or improvements made each year, many of which go unnoticed. Certain plants, though, will always stand out and catch your attention and a few may even cause you to rethink some of your plans.
Space only allows for just a few picks so I've chosen what I think are some of the best of the best, all of which you'll be able to find at your local garden centres and greenhouses this spring.
Paint it black
Arguably the biggest introduction of plants this year is the new selection of black petunias from Ball Flora Plant.
Black Velvet, Phantom and Pinstripe are sure to garner a lot of attention. Black Velvet is the world's only black petunia and is the key introduction in this series. They say black goes with anything, and Black Velvet will certainly add a new dimension for design in your containers. Phantom shows an all-black base colour with a distinctive yellow star pattern. Pinstripe shows a dark purple bloom with a creamy white star pattern.
All three plants exhibit an upright mounded habit making them perfect to use in containers or in bedding situations.
Gryphon begonia
Last year, when I first saw this as a young seedling given to us as a sample plant for trial, I must admit I overlooked it and pretty much forgot about it until it started to grow. Gryphon begonia grows into a stunning plant which I would compare to a miniature version of a castor bean.
A foliage plant only, it features large glossy green, deeply lobed leaves. It's a large plant able to grow, 46 centimetres high and wide, making for a bold impact if needed or supplying a great backdrop to the plants around it.
Simply Salad
How about an easy way to grow your own salad mixes? Simply Salad is a multi-pelleted seed containing a mix of 10 attractive-looking greens that can be grown in containers right on your patio. The greens are cut-and-grow types so three weeks after harvest you are ready to cut again. The variety of colours and textures make this an attractive container combination with great taste.
Purple Wave Improved
Purple Wave petunia may not be on everybody's list of new plants. When Purple Wave first appeared on the market 15 years ago it simply blew everybody away. The huge plants cascading out of hanging baskets, just covered in blossoms from its stem to its crown, made it a very popular plant. Over the years this workhorse seemed to get a little tired as it just didn't seem to have the spark it once had -- until now. From the moment I first saw the Purple Wave Improved, it made me feel 15 years younger as it had the same impact on me as it did when it was first introduced. Look for Purple Wave Improved to reclaim its crown once again.
Zinnia Zahara Doubles
My love for zinnias stems from memories of my mother collecting her own seed in Edwards coffee tins each fall and then simply broadcasting them over large areas of her garden the following spring. Zinnias are once again a hot choice for the garden.
Look for the Zahara Doubles in either Cherry or Fire. At a great mid-sized height, these plants can be used for bedding and massed planting or for containers.
There are also many new perennials from which to choose this season. Two of my favourites are especially noteworthy for their long bloom times making them as versatile as any annual.
Pow Wow Wildberry
Lots of sturdy stems giving way to loads of beautiful colour describes this new, slightly shorter introduction of echinacea. The intense rose flowers with a dark rose centre make it a great new addition to any perennial bed. Pow Wow Wildberry works well in containers for the summer and can be replanted into your garden in the fall.
Dianthus Red Beauty
A sport of Dianthus Firewitch that is fast becoming a favourite is the Dianthus Red Beauty displaying dark red blooms on silvery blue foliage. It's a repeat bloomer but deadheading the spent blossoms will help promote better reblooming throughout the summer. The texture and colour of the foliage make it a great container plant as well. Simply replant into your garden in the fall for next summer's blooms.
So there you have it, a quick look at some of the new plants waiting for you and the warmer weather this spring. For more information on these plants and more, visit your local garden centre or greenhouse or go to www.ballseed.com
Duayne Friesen is the sales rep for the Ball Seed Company and also hosts a weekly gardening show, The Lawn and Garden Journal, heard throughout Manitoba each Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. on the Goldenwest Radio Network.
