Perennials add drama to spring garden
Gardeners are like kids in a candy store when local garden centers reopen in spring. What new perennials will we find to add drama to our gardens? This year offers a wealth of new cultivars to tickle our fancy.
Here are a few of the more unique selections. They may be a little more difficult to find, but each one is worth the search.
• Amsonia "Storm Cloud" is a North American native cultivar that grows in a dense 2- by 3-foot open mound of olive green foliage that remains attractive all season. Clusters of periwinkle blue, star-shaped flowers bloom profusely in late spring to early summer. The emerging stems are what make this perennial a must have for the garden. They rise from the soil near black and stay dark throughout spring. Imagine them showing off their sky blue flowers - stunning!
A low-maintenance perennial, Storm Cloud grows best in part to full sun conditions. It is not fussy about soil and is drought tolerant once established.
• Andropogon gerardii "Blackhawks" is an extraordinary new cultivar of our native big bluestem. Unassuming in spring as its dark green foliage begins its ascent to an ultimate height of 5 to 6 feet tall, it puts on quite a show when the foliage develops deep purple tones in summer. It concludes the performance, deserving of a standing ovation, in fall as it turns dark purple to almost black.
An excellent choice for screening unwanted views and adding height and texture to mixed borders, Blackhawks grows best in full sun. It is adaptable to most soils except soggy sites and prefers to grow without additional fertilizer. It is drought tolerant once established.
• Many years ago, I lost coreopsis tripteris at the hand of an overly helpful weeder. I have been unable to replace it, until now. Coreopsis tripteris "Gold Standard" is even better than the original - a bit smaller and with sturdier stems. It is big - growing nearly 6 feet tall; it is bold - boasting bright yellow flowers; and it is beautiful - displaying its flowers for 6 weeks longer than its parent.
Grow Gold Standard in full sun and well-drained soil. Partner it with asters and ornamental grasses for an early fall frenzy of color.
• Epimedium "Pink Champagne" is an answer to the prayers of shade gardeners. Small, but plentiful, raspberry pink and white flowers float above semi-evergreen foliage splashed with deep purple in early spring. Plants grow up to 2 feet tall.
Pink Champagne is an ideal choice for covering ground in the shade. Once established, it grows happily among thirsty tree roots.
• Gardeners with moist, partly shaded gardens will be seduced by ligularia "King Kong." This beautiful beast features the same rich, dark, leathery leaves as Britt Marie Crawford but nearly twice as large. Golden orange daisylike flowers rise from 3- to 4-foot round mounds of leafy lusciousness in midsummer.
Plant King Kong in part shade for best foliage color and flowering. In full shade, leaves are greener. Its favorite spot is a site with morning sun and compost-amended, moist soil. Be patient. It may take a few years to reach its mammoth proportions. Definitely worth the wait, don't you think?
• Succulents are all the rage and sempervivum Chick Charms' "Gold Nugget" is uprooting the world of succulents. The first of its kind, it is gold with red edges in cool weather, bright green in summer and brilliant red in fall. At just 2 inches tall, it is the winner of the small but mighty category or garden plants.
Plant Gold Nugget in rock gardens, at the edge of perennial borders and in pots with other sun-worshippers. Well-drained soil is a must.
• Gardeners with meadows or natural plantings should check out vernonia lettermanii "Southern Cross." A cultivar of the North American native ironweed, it grows 3 feet tall and wide. Bees and butterflies delight in the nectar of its purple flowers in July and August.
Southern Cross grows best in average, well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought tolerant once established.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager of The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield, IL 60190. Call (630) 293-1040 or visit online at planterspalette.com. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.