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The following article appeared in The Indianapolis
Star's Home & Garden section on March 25, 2006. For
those of you who love to add something new to your garden
landscape each year, these may be just what you are
looking for!
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'Glow' |
'Angelina' |
'Black Lace' |
'Amethyst in Snow' |
'Blushing Bride' |
"5
fascinating flora"
Plant these
and make other gardeners
green with envy
By
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp,
correspondent for The
Indianapolis Star
Plant
envy - or the craze to have the latest and greatest
introductions in the world of flora - is epidemic this
time of year. Rising temperatures and sunny days make us
crave the next craze. To whet your appetite, here's a
sampler of some new (or nearly new) plants for 2006 that
are worth trying in the Indiana landscape. Today's
picks, for the most part, reflect the continuing trend
toward the use of foliage and texture in the landscape,
especially plants that offer visual interest in more
than one season.
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Exotic
Fusion 'Glow'
Impatiens hybrida
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Orchid-like
blooms are a bit shy early in the season, hiding
under the medium-green foliage. But by
mid-summer, this prolific bloomer steals the
show. Terrific for window boxes, in containers
or in the ground. Gets 16 inches tall and wide.
Does best in part sun to part shade. Allow to go
dry between watering; fertilize every two weeks.
Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Other
colors: 'Sunset,' 'Radiance,' 'Infrared' and
'Heat.' More information: Visit
www.simplybeautifulgardens.com
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'Angelina'
Sedum rupestre
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This dramatic, texture-laden perennial
brightens the landscape for four seasons. It has
yellow blooms, but is relished for the foliage,
which turns reddish orange at the tips in
winter. Discovered growing in a Croatian garden
a few years ago, 'Angelina' gets 3 inches to 6
inches tall and spreads to a 12-inch to 14-inch
mat. Use as a groundcover or accent plant or as
a colorful addition to a container or window
box. Does best in part sun and is extremely
adaptable in soil and moisture requirements.
More information: Visit
www.provenwinners.com/whatsnew/awardwinners.cfm
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'Black
Lace'
Sambucus nigra
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This European elderberry
is used in the landscape primarily for its lacy foliage.
It gets 8 feet tall and wide. Lemon-scented, pink
flowers bloom in mid summer on year-old growth. It's
easy to keep this shrub small, if willing to forgo the
flowers. Cut it back to 8 inches to 10 inches tall in
late winter or early spring and enjoy a long season of
'Black Lace' foliage in the landscape. Plant in full sun
to part shade in average to moist soil. Pair with
hydrangeas or yellow foliage plants. Limited release in
2006; wider availability in 2007. More information:
Visit
http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/
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'Amethyst in
Snow'
Centaurea montana
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A very cold- and
drought-tolerant plant, this perennial bachelor
button blooms a beautiful bicolor flower in July
and August. It has silver-green foliage, forming
a dense mat, 14 inches tall and 28 inches wide
at maturity (about two years). Does best in
well-drained soil in full sun. Pinching is not
necessary. Use in the front or middle of the
perennial border. Flowers can be cut for indoor
arrangements. New for 2006. More information:
Visit
http://www.bobna.com/
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Endless
Summer 'Blushing Bride'
Hydrangea macrophylla
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Like its sister, this hydrangea
blooms on year-old and current season growth, only
quicker than the original Endless Summer. 'Blushing
Bride' has full, white flowers that turn a blushing pink
as they age. Deadheading (removing spent flowers) is
essential to keep this plant blooming all summer. Most
hydrangeas do best in part sun to shade. If in full sun,
they must be well watered or they'll wilt. It takes
about three years for this plant to reach maturity, when
it will be about 3 feet tall and wide. New in 2006. More
information: Visit
www.endlesssummerblooms.com
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Photo sources left to right Simply
Beautiful, ImageBotanics, ColorChoice, Blooms of
Bressingham, and Bailey Nurseries. |
(Return
to Garden Potpourri)
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