14 New Perennials For Containers, Pollinators, Beds And Borders

Heat and drought tolerance, tidy habits and no vernalization are just a few of the benefits you will find in the newest perennials hitting the market in 2016. They are versatile enough for rock gardens, planting beds or containers, and are tough enough to withstand cold temperatures. Some draw in pollinators, some are fragrant and some never flop, but all have one thing in common — they are a great place to start for a garden that turns heads.

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1. Campanula ‘Iridescent Bells’ (Darwin Perennials)

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Light, lavender flowers bloom heavily all summer long on this plant. ‘Iridescent Bells’ is a non-seeding variety that won’t become invasive in gardens and landscapes. Its tidy habit makes it a nice patio container item that is great for smaller beds and mid-borders, too. It is hardy in Zones 5 to 8.

2. Campanula Rapido Series (Kieft Seed)

Rapido delivers good young plant vigor while maintaining a compact habit. It has a very short harvest window. A showy spring perennial with versatile use, Rapido is well-suited to patio planters and gardens, as well as for an indoor potted plant. Ideal for high-volume, bench-run pot-plant programs for 4-inch pots or gallons. Rapido is available in Blue and White and hardy in Zones 3 to 9.

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3. Coreopsis ‘Ladybird’ (Terra Nova Nurseries)

Coreopsis ‘Ladybird’ has a fast growth rate and mounding habit. It is extremely hardy, more compact and resistant to powdery mildew. Red flowers over bright-green linear leaves provide an excellent color-spot for beds, borders, mass plantings, accents or containers. ‘Ladybird’ is Terra Nova Nurseries’ reddest coreopsis. It is hardy in Zones 5 to 10.

4. Coreopsis ‘Little Bird’ (Star Roses And Plants)

This Coreopsis is a true dwarf. At half the size of ‘Zagreb’ in containers and in ground, it has very dense foliage and an even, rounded habit. The bright-yellow flowers are large in size, about 1-inch in diameter. Coreopsis ‘Little Bird’ works well for quarts or trade gallons.

5. Echinacea ‘Cone-Fections Cherry Fluff’ (Plants Nouveau)

Cherry Fluff is the newest addition to our line of compact, double-flowering coneflowers. Lime-green buds unfurl to reveal creamy-white blooms with cherry blush and soft-pink highlights with a lime-green center. As the blooms age, the cherry blush becomes more prominent and contrasts well against the olive-green foliage. Cherry Fluff finishes fast and fills a one-gallon container quickly with lush foliage and a pot full of blooms.

6. Echinacea ‘Butterfly Orange Skipper’ (Green Leaf Plants)

Offered by Green Leaf Plants and introduced by Plants Nouveau, this compact variety has gorgeous, bright-orange flowers. It is easy to grow with excellent branching and a high flower count. ‘Butterfly Orange Skipper’ is easily finished in a 1-gallon pot for first-year flowering and will mature at 15-to 18-inches tall. It is hardy in Zones 5 to 9.

7. Echinacea ‘Sombrero Baja Burgundy,’ ‘Sombrero Blanco’ (Darwin Perennials)

Strong and durable Sombrero Echinaceas promise super-full, compact, tough performance. No vernalization needed to bulk up fast. Gardeners will love its exceptional winter hardiness (Zone 5), its excellent branching, and of course, the standout color. New Baja Burgundy is deep and rich, while Blanco is a crisp, clean white with overlapping petals.

8. Erysimum Glow Series (Cultivaris)

Erysimum is a superb, low-growing and early-blooming spring perennial that provides color from early March to early July in much of the U.S. Hardy to Zone 4, this plant works well in pots small and large and is great in spring combos with pansies and snapdragons. Grow cold all winter long for early spring readiness. New additions include: Bright Gold, Coral and Mango. (Sold under the name Limoncello at Home Depot)

9. Heuchera ‘Red Lightning’ (Terra Nova Nurseries)

This perennial has electrifying dark-red veins that spark over huge gold leaves, with color that holds well throughout the season. ‘Red Lightning’ works well in borders, mass planting, accents, mixed beds or mixed containers and is hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

10. Heucherella ‘Autumn Cascade’ (Terra Nova Nurseries)

‘Autumn Cascade’ is appealing on many levels — the reddish tan leaves, the cute lobing, the great trailing habit and excellent vigor. Compared to other reddish-shaded Heucherella, ‘Autumn Cascade’ has lobed leaves rather than unlobed. It grows great in hanging baskets, mixed containers or even as a ground cover and is hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

11. Monarda punctata ‘Beebop’ (Cultivaris)

Disease resistant and easy-to-grow, this new selection of our native Monarda punctata requires no vernalization and works well in 1 gallon or 6-inch pots for summer sales. The stacked flowers with unusual pink-tinted silver bracts appear on the plant June through September. Plant in early spring for summer sales. ‘Beebop’ is very mildew resistant and popular with pollinators.

12. Nepeta grandiflora ‘Summer Magic’ (Plants Nouveau)

‘Summer Magic’ is a new, free-flowering variety from the United Kingdom that blooms continuously from May to September. Grass-green leaves and a deep-lavender flower color make for a great garden combination. This new catmint is compact and sturdy and never flops, even in the worst rain storms. You won’t attract cats with this selection, either. Compared to ‘Walker’s Low’ and ‘Six Hills Giant,’ ‘Summer Magic’ has a much sturdier habit and misses that ugly, mid-summer phase.

13. Salvia nemorosa ‘Hypnotic Purple’ (Green Leaf Plants)

Offered by Green Leaf Plants from Plants Management Australia, this Salvia is a compact version of S. ‘Caradonna.’ It features the same deep-purple flowers and dark stems, but with a shorter habit. ‘Hypnotic Purple’ is perfect for 1-gallon pots and will reach 14 to 16 inches. Vernalization is beneficial for flowering uniformity, and it is hardy in Zones 5 to 9.

14. Scabiosa Flutter Series (Darwin Perennials)

Darwin offers a new series of perennial Scabiosa. The Flutter Series has a compact habit and shorter peduncles, making it easier to ship and show large, colorful blooms. Deeper flower colors and a better plant habit draws in pollinators. The Flutter Series has a long flowering window and high mildew resistance. Flutter is available in Deep Blue and Rose Pink and is hardy in Zones 5 to 9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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