PLANT HIGHLIGHTS

PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE YEAR 2006

Dianthus 'Firewitch'

Shocking magenta-pink, upward-facing blooms which exude the scentof oves appear in masses above silvery-blue mats of evergreen foliage. Each of the 5 petals have serrated edges, looking as if they have been trimmed with pinking shears, hence the common name 'Pinks'. If deadheaded, this species will flower heaviest in early summer and again in fall.

Flower Color Pink shades
Foliage Color Blue shades
Height 7-8 inches
Spread 12 inches
Usda hardiness Zone 3-9

Brunnera 'Jack Frost'

A sight to behold! The leaves of 'Jack Frost' are intricately detailed with a crackle-like finish. Though the leaves are dark green, they have a heavily frosted overlay which allows only the green veining to show through. From mid to late spring, baby blue, forget-me-not type blossoms are held in clusters several inches above the shimmering foliage. The effect is breathtaking.

Brunneras are classic perennials that are treasured for their shade tolerance and lovely blooms. They make a fantastic groundcover, though the variegated forms may be slower to spread than the species. Try growing them in containers too so they will be close at hand when you want to snip a few blooms for a spring bouquet

Cimicifuga 'Hillside Black Beauty'

Masses of striking, dark purplish-black foliage contrasted by long, white bottlebrush blooms fascinates the eye and peaks everyone's curiosity. The darkest Cimicifuga to date, 'Hillside Black Beauty' is truly a collector's item.

Though the young foliage tends to be green, it quickly deepens to an almost iridescent purple-black. In late summer, the 4'-7' tall stems are topped with foot-long, fragrant, white flowers blushed with pale pink. Cimicifuga is a wonderfully lacy, airy backdrop in the garden. It is especially attractive when combined with variegated or yellow foliage.

Echinacea 'Big Sky Sunset'

At last, a coneflower that's not purple!!! This brand new selection sports electrifying orange flowers with a prominent, brownish central cone. Their nice wide petals are slightly reflexed and overlap, giving the blossoms a full, substantial presence. Plant this one up close where you can enjoy its delightful rose-like fragrance.

This new Big Sky TM series of echinaceas comes from Itsaul Nurseries in Atlanta, GA. The Saul brothers, who own the company, are going Cone Crazy™!!! This year, they are introducing two new coneflowers: 'Sunset'PPAF and 'Sunrise'PPAF. These new selections are the result of crosses between E. purpurea and E. paradoxa. They have inherited the dominant characteristics of E. purpurea, having fuller, toothed leaves and wider flower petals. They are well-branched and are vigorous growers

Gaillardia 'Oranges and Lemons'

Sure to take the market by storm, this blanket flower is a breakthrough in gaillardia coloring! Rather than the typical bright red and yellow flowers, 'Oranges & Lemons' PPAF looks just like it sounds--large, peachy orange flowers with yellow tips and a gold central cone. The blue-green foliage enhances this warm coloring and the round, chartreuse seed heads extend the interest after the flowers are spent. Unlike many of the older selections, this one has an improved upright habit rather than sprawling. It's simply fantastic!

These perennials require little care once established. They are heat tolerant and actually prefer to be grown in poorer soils. They get their name from the manner in which they used to blanket North American prairies with their blooms. They can still be found in fields and along roadsides in the prairie region and into the Rockies.

Gaillardia 'Fanfare'

This fantastic new introduction is one of the best new flowering perennials we've seen in recent years. Making quite a dramatic statement, the upward-facing, scarlet flowers flare out like trumpets with bright yellow at the ends, creating a vivid medley of color. Its high-powered flowering performance starts in early summer and continues into fall. This cultivar has an especially neat mounded form. A sure-fire winner for containers, they are long-lasting cut flowers too!

Hemerocallis 'Always Afternoon'

This is considered a "Designer" daylily, which means that it has been selected as highly performing plant with exceptional bloom performance, substantive, vibrantly colored flowers, complete winter hardiness in northern zones, and a vigorous habit.

Daylilies can survive many harsh conditions that other plants cannot including: polluted city environments, slopes, poor and dry soils, near pavement that is salted in winter, and under Black Walnut trees (not affected by juglone).

Heuchera 'Stoplight'

A vigorous new selection characterized by glowing yellow-orange leaves with rounded lobes and a trailing habit. As the species name indicates, the foliage is covered with soft hairs. Cream colored flowers appear on 15 inch scapes from early to midsummer. This plant was discovered by Sandrine Delabroye in France

Heucherella 'Caramel'

You'll stop in your tracks when you see the new H. 'Stoplight' PPAF! Radiant yellow leaves have a large, dark red blotch in the center which feathers out through the veins. The foliage of this selection is larger and more yellow with a darker blotch than H. 'Sunspot' PPAF. White flowers are produced on 12 inch tall stalks beginning in late spring.
A Terra Nova introduction.

Leucanthemum 'Crazy Daisy'

No two blooms are alike on this fringed and frilly, semi to fully double Shasta Daisy. Two inch wide, solid white petals surround a small buttery center. This selection is noted for its prolific flowering tendancy. There's nothing quite like this 'Crazy Daisy'!

Shasta Daisies are all-time favorites for the perennial border. The cheery flowers begin to appear in late spring and continue on for several months if faithfully deadheaded. Shastas mix so effortlessly with other perennials that no garden should be without them!