Exiting New Plants

Each year new plant introductions are released, each with the promise of some unparalleled characteristic which will make that plant superior to all others. Usually these promises are include unmatched beauty, a new and exciting color, improved disease resistance or new dwarf size. It is interesting to see what new plants are introduced each year. Just when you think there are enough varieties of Heuchera in the world, eleven new ones are released. Not that I don’t like Heuchera, but perhaps there are some other species that would benefit from some research and new breeding. To me, many new plants are such slight variations from earlier plants, that one cannot tell them apart. I think it might be time to call an end (or slowdown) to new varieties of Spirea, Wiegela and Heuchera and perhaps concentrate more on native plant breeding. That’s not to say there aren’t some great plants that are released each year. In fact here are some plants I am excited to try out this year:

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘MinnblueA’
Blue Heaven Little Bluestem

I am really excited about testing out this new cultivar of little bluestem. Though new in 2007, I have not had much chance to use this promising new grass. If Blue Heaven lives up to its promises, this may become one of my favorite grasses. Introduced by the University of Minnesota, they claim it stands upright and has blue foliage, which turns red, purple and burgundy in fall. They refer to it as a “Blue Karl Foerster”.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘DVPpinky’
Pinky Winky Hydrangea

There have been quite a few new Hydrangea introductions in the last couple of years, which have seemed to live up to their promises. Therefore, I am excited for this next introduction. This variety of Panicle Hydrangea is claimed to have fourteen inch blooms, which begin white and fade to pink. It also has strong, red stems to hold those enormous blooms upright. Should this hydrangea live up to its promises of fourteen inch blooms, I may forgive it for its terrible name. I may have to come up with a nick name for this one; I don’t think I can bring myself to call it by name.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
Caradonna Salvia

Okay, so this is not a new release. In fact, I’m not sure when it came out. However, in the last year it has become more available. This Salvia which grows to 30 inches in height has wonderful blue-ish purple flowers which are borne on erect purple - black stems. This variety will also will bloom from May through July, though may require some deadheading.

Winter Landscapes

Many people do not regard the winters of the Midwest to be a time when one can appreciate landscapes. However, is it not the desolate winter months when one would most appreciate a garden? Some plants are at their best in the winter. Though they may be dormant it is the season of their glory.


When imprisoned inside due to frigid temperatures and bone chilling wind, nothing can motivate me to go outside. That is, until I look out the window and see plants covered in snow, ice or hoarfrost. I am compelled to slip on some boots and possible a hat, grab my camera and traipse across the icy snow and photograph frozen plants. More than just the traditional evergreens – pines, firs and spruces – but the ornamental grasses, herbaceous seed heads, and interesting branching. Here is a list of some of my favorite plants for the winter landscape.

Ilex verticillata (winterberry)
Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple)
Hamamelis vernalis (witch hazel)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Ostrya virginiana (Eastern Hophornbeam)
Malus sp. (crabapple with persistent fruit)
Hydrangea sp. (leave seed heads on)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Echinacea (coneflower – seed heads)Sedum sp. (tall sedum – seed heads)
Solidago sp. (goldenrod – seed heads)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass)
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass)