For most gardeners, there is no off-season. There is only planning out gardens for the next spring.
Winter is one of the most exciting times for gardening because that's when we first find out about new varieties. I have the time to look at the new plants, choose the ones I want and plan where I will put them.
Recently I received an email from the National Garden Bureau with its list of newcomers for 2011. We can't look at the hundreds of varieties on the list, but I'll share with you the ones that catch my eye. Check out the NGB list by going to ngb.org/varieties/index.cfm
Geranium Caliente Orange
I have to confess I've never been a big fan of geraniums, but this one is converting me. One of the new class of geraniums, a cross between ivy and zonal types, this plant features dark-green foliage with brilliant orange blooms. It is a free-flowering type that performs well in both containers and garden beds. The difference is that they are much more heat-tolerant than other geraniums. And the colours just pop with vibrancy.
Begonia New Star Red
Yes, I love begonias. Since I first discovered these lovely plants love to grow in shady spots, they have become the stars of my containers. The non-stop begonia varieties have graced my pots for years. Now it looks like they may have a challenger.
This new variety grows in sun or shade and has double blooms in a rich red colour. The petals are slightly ruffled, adding to the full look these flowers have. The plant is also self-cleaning, meaning there's no need to deadhead. If you have never grown begonias in containers before, I highly recommend giving these a try.
Ornamental corn
I am always on the lookout for new and interesting ways to dress up a container -- and this one is a winner. The leaves are highly variegated in green and white with touches of rose. Think of using this plant to add punch to any container as a background plant or a stand-alone feature.
The plants can reach 1.5 metres in height and produce ears of corn that are just as attractive after the season as during. You can even pop the dark kernels. The plants are tolerant of sun or shade.
Morning Glory Split Second
Another of my favourite plants is the morning glory. My wife will laugh when she reads about another of my "favourite plants" because she'll say that they are ALL my favourites. This may be true, but I really do have favourite favourites.
This morning glory is a stunner. The flowers have a peony-like form with huge powder-puff double blooms. The flowers do not look anything like their single-flower cousins. When they open, they show as a blend of the softest pastel to a deep rosy-pink. Especially interesting is that no two flowers are alike. Even the Heavenly Blue varieties of morning glories I grow never have the same two flowers, as the colours change almost hourly. The plants are great for hanging baskets, window boxes, tall planters or any place in the garden that gets full sun.
Sunflower Coconut Ice F1
Yes, sunflowers are another favourite. This new variety is a beautiful addition.
When mature, the plants stand 1.5 to two metres tall. The single-headed flowers have coconut-brown centres that are 10 to 15 centimetres across.
The petals start out as a creamy vanilla colour that gradually changes to white over time. Plant these in a sunny spot in the garden. They make a fantastic background plant and are also great as a cut flower. You can even dry them. This one is unique and sure to be a winner in any garden.
Many of you write me asking where you can find these new varieties as bedding plants. I cannot answer that because I don't know which greenhouse will carry which variety or if they will carry any. Your best bet is to go to your local greenhouse or garden centre and ask. The alternative is to buy the seeds, if you can find them, and grow your own.
Gerald Filipski is a member of the Garden Writers Association of America.
