Some more new perennials that I'd like to try, and why

I said I gave up on writing about new plants, but that proves to have been an emotional outburst. There are always new plants, and its a good idea to look through the lists and the marketing materials and see if there are some that could really work for my design practice. Below are a few more perennials that are new for 2022 - or at least newly on my radar - including information from their Plant Patent for some of them.

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Amsonia hybrid ‘String Theory’ Patent number: PP34419

Date of Patent: July 12, 2022

Assignee: Walters Gardens, Inc.

Inventor: Hans A Hansen

From the Plant Patent:

A new and distinct Amsonia plant named ‘String Theory’ is characterized by winter-hardy, compact, densely-stemmed, clean habit with linear, dark-green foliage that goes dormant in the winter; single, light periwinkle-blue, star-shaped flowers on medium height scapes flowering above the foliage beginning about early-May and effective for about four weeks. T

The most similar Blue Star cultivars known to the inventor are: ‘Blue Ice’ (not patented), ‘Starstruck’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,246 and ‘Storm Cloud’ (not patented).

Amsonia hubrichtii, commonly called “bluestar,” is a native perennial with blue spring flowers and showy fine-textured foliage that turns gold in fall. The main criticism is that some people think it gets a little tall and floppy with its three-foot height. ‘String Theory, is a compact version that knocks a foot off of this plant’s usual height.

“It’s more compact than the species, plus the leaves don’t turn chlorotic (yellowish) in summer,” says Chris Ruger, a grower for the wholesale Quality Greenhouses near Dillsburg who picks ‘String Theory’ as his favorite new perennial of 2022. The variety blooms a little later in spring than the species but still retains the periwinkle-blue flower color as well as the brilliant golden fall-foliage color.

Plants grow just under two feet tall, ideally in full sun. Amsonia is also heat tolerant and not a favorite of deer. 

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Pennisetum alopecuroides Worryfree Hush Puppy - a non-invasive Fountain grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Tift PA5' PP31,027

Bred at the University of Georgia

From the Plant Patent:

Open pollinated seeds from ‘Tift PS989’ plants were irradiated with 10 K of Cobalt 60 gamma radiation to produce a first group of irradiated seeds. These seeds were planted in a field to produce 256 plants. These plants were evaluated and six were selected based on morphologically desirable genotypes with reduced seed set. Open pollinated seeds (a second group of seeds) from these six selected plants was harvested and irradiated with 10 Kr of Cobalt 60. Irradiated seeds from only one of the six selected plants survived the second radiation and were planted in a field to produce 64 plants. Irradiation of seeds usually results in chimeras or sectors on the plants for the trait of interest. Therefore, each of the sixty four plant was divided into four quadrants or sectors (a, b, c, and d) and five or more inflorescences from each quadrant were examined for seed sterility. A highly seed sterile sector a of plant number 60 was selected and asexually propagated to produce ‘Tift PA5’. ‘Tift PA5’ has been tested at Tifton, Ga.

Lower Paxton Twp. PA horticulturist David Wilson, marketing director for Overdevest Nurseries’ Garden Splendor line of plants, picked Worryfree Hush Puppy fountain grass as one of his two favorite new perennials of 2022. He likes it for two reasons : 1.) it’s sterile (meaning no unwanted seeding around), and 2.) it has unusually long-lasting flowering spikes

Wilson adds that Hush Puppy has a “nice, full, and vigorous free-flowering habit with inflorescences that last much longer than conventional varieties like ‘Hameln.’ In our trials, we’ve witnessed displays that last at least four weeks longer than other varieties.”

Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass features long-lasting pink plumes that spray high over rounded mounds of slender foliage. Plants grow three feet tall and four feet wide, ideally in full sun. Drought-tough and deer-resistant. Hardiness Zones: 5-9

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Eupatorium purpureum 'FLOREUPRE1' Euphoria™ RubyPPAF (syn. Eutrochium purpureum 'FLOREUPRE1')

Joe Pye Weed

There are lots of varieties of Joe Pye weed now - it's hard to keep them straight sometimes. Joe Pye Weed can get a bit big for a lot of gardens, topping out at six feet or more. Even recent “dwarf” varieties often grow four feet tall and wide. But its a very valuable native plant that pollinaotrs of all kinds flock to. So having a cultivar that is even smaller than 'Little Joe' is a great addition to the landscape designer's arsenal. Plus its name is a cute and clever play on the word "Eupatorium".

'Euphoria Ruby' grows just over three feet tall, doesn’t flop, and is a heavy bloomer with magenta umbrella-shaped clusters. Bees and butterflies love it. ‘Euphoria Ruby’ will grow in both damp or dry soil, ideally in full sun.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Quedlinburg, Germany in 2011. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Eutrochium cultivars having a compact growth habit.

From the Plant Patent:

The new Eutrochium cultivar is the result of open-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Eutrochium purpureum breeding selection coded 4846-1, not patented, characterized by its medium cream-rose colored ray florets, dark green-colored foliage, and vigorous, upright growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is unknown. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated open-pollination in a controlled environment in Quedlinburg, Germany.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘FLOREUPRE1’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Eutrochium plant:

 1. Medium red-purple colored inflorescences

 2. Medium green-colored foliage

 3. Low growth vigor

 4. Compact-upright growth habit

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent primarily in having a different ray floret color, lower growth vigor, and a more compact growth habit.

Of the many commercially available Eutrochium cultivars, the most similar in comparison to the new cultivar is ‘Little Joe’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,122. However, in side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Little Joe’ in at least the following characteristics:

 1. Plants of the new cultivar are shorter than plants of ‘Little Joe’

 2. Plants of the new cultivar have a darker purple-colored flowers than plants of ‘Little Joe’

 3. Plants of the new cultivar have larger leaves than plants of ‘Little Joe’

Anemone ‘Spring Beauty’

Anemone hybrid 'Spring Beauty Pink'

Spring Beauty Pink comes from the Netherlands and is a hybrid of Anemone sylvestris, with bubblegum pink flowers first appearing in late spring and contining throughout summer. Delicate looking, but extremely tough, its perfectly pink flowers flutter in the wind attracting all the early pollinators with its nectar. Attractive molunded foliage.

It grows 12″ tall and 15″ wide, making it compact enough for smaller gardens, and for the front of the border. Its ideal condition is dappled shade protected from the afternoon sun, yet it will also grow in full shade. It looks beautiful in woodland settings and mixed with other perennials in cottage, cutting, and pollinator gardens. It spreads by underground rhizomes and can be used as a ground cover. New plants may grow near the original plant and can be easily transplanted elsewhere.

Angela Treadwell-Palmer, founder and co-owner of Alabama-based Plants Nouveau plant introduction company, picks this as her favorite new 2022 perennial because it’s the first deep-pink, spring-blooming anemone. Treadwell-Palmer says plants might look delicate, but they’re actually “supersturdy” and seldom bothered by any bug or disease issues. And she notes that early pollinators appreciate the spring blooms.

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Nepeta grandiflora 'Summer Magic' PP27090 (Catmint)

This cultivar is not new by any means, having been on RHS Chelsea Flower show’s Short List in 2013. But its new to the US trade and is an introduction by Plants Nouveau. Their founder, Treadwell-Palmer, likes this new catmint variety because of its exceptionally long bloom time – running non-stop from May until September most years. “It blooms and blooms all summer,” she says. “The upright, deep-lavender blooms are held high above the grass-green foliage and never flop, even in the worst of storms. We admire its ability to ‘keep it fresh’ even in the heat and humidity of summer as other Nepeta varieties tend to fade.” Plants grow 15 to 18 inches tall and do best in full sun.

From the Plant Patent:

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery by the inventor. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘SUMMER MAGIC’, was discovered as a chance seedling by the inventor, Malcolm Spencer. The seed parent is believed to be Nepeta grandiflora ‘Bramdean’, unpatented, and the pollen parent undetermined. This interesting new variety was discovered in the inventor's garden during June 2010 as an individual seedling plant. The plant was discovered in West Sussex, England.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SUMMER MAGIC’

• 1. Compact bushy habit

 2. Improved branch structure on flower stems

 3. Improved plant sturdiness; better resistance to wind/rain damage

 4. Distinctive strong flower color

 5. Large quantity of flowers

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘SUMMER MAGIC’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the presumed seed parent variety Nepeta grandiflora ‘Bramdean’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ however, differ in the following:

 1. The new variety is shorter

 2. The new variety produces more branches.

 3. The new variety has improved resistance to weather damage—parent variety is often broken open by summer storms.

‘SUMMER MAGIC’ can be compared to the well known commercial variety Nepeta faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ are similar to plants of ‘Six Hills Giant’ in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

 1. The new variety is much shorter

 2. The new variety has significantly improved branching on flower stems

 3. The new variety has improved resistance to weather damage

 4. Pinching requirements and or/growth regulator use are reduced

‘SUMMER MAGIC’ can be compared to the known commercial variety Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ are similar to plants of ‘Little Titch’ in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

 1. The new variety produces longer flower spikes.

 2. The new variety produces more flowers per stem, and more flowering stems per plant.

 3. The new variety has improved resistance to weather damage

 4. The new variety produces more branches per plant.

‘SUMMER MAGIC’ can be compared to the known commercial variety Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ are similar to plants of ‘Little Titch’ in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

 1. The new variety produces longer flower spikes.

 2. The new variety produces more flowers per stem, and more flowering stems per plant.

 3. The new variety has improved resistance to weather damage

 4. The new variety produces more branches per plant.‘SUMMER MAGIC’ can be compared to the known commercial variety Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ are similar to plants of ‘Little Titch’ in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

 1. The new variety produces longer flower spikes.

 2. The new variety produces more flowers per stem, and more flowering stems per plant.

 3. The new variety has improved resistance to weather damage

 4. The new variety produces more branches per plant.

‘SUMMER MAGIC’ can be compared to the known commercial variety Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ are similar to plants of ‘Little Titch’ in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUMMER MAGIC’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

 1. The new variety produces longer flower spikes.

 2. The new variety produces more flowers per stem, and more flowering stems per plant.

 3. The new variety has improved resistance to weather damage

 4. The new variety produces more branches per plant.

Plant(s) of the Year 2020

2020 Perennial Plant of the Year™:  Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Common name: Japanese Spikenard)

The Perennial Plant Association has chosen Aralia cordata 'Sun King' as its 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year™.  'Sun King' was introduced by famed plantsman Barry Yinger who found it in a department store in Japan and brought it back to the states.  It has become popular as something “unique and different” to plant in the shade garden.  It has tropical-looking compound leaves that can measure a few feet long.

 ‘Sun King’ emerges mid-spring with bright gold leaves held on nicely contrasting reddish brown stems.  If given at least a few hours of sun a day, the foliage will remain yellow all summer.  In heavier shade, the foliage ranges from chartreuse to lime green.  In spite of its name, too much sun will cause leaf burn.

‘Sun King’ typically dies back to the ground in winter in our area, but quickly re-emerges in spring to form a large shrub-like clump of foliage which resists deer browsing.  It grows about three feet tall and wide.

In mid to late summer, interesting racemes of tiny white flowers are produced followed by deep purplish black, inedible berries. Like most Aralias, the flowers attract honeybees and other pollinators.

I have to admit I’m not fully convinced as to whether we know if this plant will end up being invasive. I have shuddering thoughts of Japanese Knotweed - that was thought to be an ornamental at first too. I’ve planted it at one property - it’s true it does add bold leaves, a big presence and good color to the shade border. Also true that deer don’t seem to be interested in it. We’ll see.

A few other perennials to get to know in 2020

Clematis ‘Rain Dance’ (Common Name: Bush Clematis)

If you’re not familiar with non-vining clematis, its time to try one.  They “read” more like a shrub in the garden, are very floriferous, and can be a groundcover or waterfall over a wall.

‘Rain Dance’ was hybridized by Walters Gardens, and has flowers as large as what you'd see on a vine clematis (flowers on non-vining clematis are usually smaller than those of vining forms).  It has large (2.5-3"), outward facing indigo blue flowers with darker midribs and lighter margins.  

Bush clematis varieties bloom first on new growth beginning in midsummer, and then again on new shoots in early fall.  Although ‘Rain Dance’ is non-vining, the plant will benefit from support, either from staking, a garden obelisk, or from neighboring plants.  The growth habit of non-vining clematis makes them a little difficult to prune.  The upside is that there are no tendrils to get entangled with one another, so its easy to spread out individual stems without breaking them.

‘Rain Dance’ belongs to Clematis Group 3 - Late flowering cultivars – so you can prune them in late winter or early spring.  All shoots can be cut back to the previous year's wood, just above the base of the plant.  This pruning avoids getting bare stems, but spring flowers will be eliminated for that year; late summer flowers will still be produced.  Alternatively, if you don't want to cut the entire plant back all at once, pruning can be done in stages over a period of 3 years.  Each year, prune back 1/3 of the stems to 6-9 inches above a couple of well-developed buds.

That might sound like a bit of work, but bear in mind its positive qualities:

·       Deer & Rabbit resistant

·       Rebloomer

·       Attracts butterflies; bee-friendly

·       Not fussy about soil

The habit of non-vining clematis (though this is a different cultivar called ‘Sapphire Indigo’

Heuchera ‘Toffee Tart’ (Common Name: Coral Bells)

This new member of the Proven Winners® Heuchera collection displays differing shades of ginger caramel throughout the seasons.  In spring, the newest leaves emerge amber with a silver overlay.  Leaves take on a ginger color with silver overlay as they mature. Then in late summer, leaves mature to green.  This variety has an interesting color that blends easily with most other perennials.  It’s not as “loud” as purple-leaved varieties, “softer” than ‘Caramel’ and “reads” better than ‘Dale’s Strain’.  Since ‘Toffee Tart’ has a lighter leaf color, grow in partial shade (preferably afternoon shade) (do not plant in full sun).

Heucheras are semi-evergreen in our area.  Depending on winter conditions, the plants can look a little tattered by early spring.  In that case, just shear off any damaged leaves to make room for the vibrant new foliage which will fill in quickly.

Heucheras can be grown under Black Walnut trees because they are resistant to the toxin Juglone which the trees emit from their roots.  Heucheras are also salt tolerant. They are useful along pathways which are salted in winter or for people gardening in coastal regions.  

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Blue Paradise’ (Common Name: Little Bluestem)

This variety of Little Bluestem was bred by Walters Gardens, Inc.  Its habit is very upright and columnar, and it maintains its upright habit through fall.  At 3½ feet tall, this grass can be the perfect backdrop to a garden.  ‘Blue Paradise’ has striking silvery blue stems in summer.  In the fall, this grass takes center stage as the leaves develop a deep wine purple color. 

Schizachyrium is a great choice if you are looking to restore an eroded site, or for a plant that will grow in hot, dry areas where other plants have a hard time surviving.

Nepeta faasennii ‘Cat’s Meow’  (Common Name: Catmint)

‘Cat’s Meow’ has everything you’re looking for: a low maintenance, drought tolerant, deer resistant, long blooming perennial that looks great all season.  Unlike most Nepetas that have a bit of a wild, unkempt look, this first class selection keeps its tidy, dense, rounded shape all season long. 

Its small, grey-green, aromatic leaves are topped with well-branched stems carrying spikes of sky blue flowers with purple calyxes from early summer into early fall. 

Sedum X ‘Pure Joy’ (Common Name: Stonecrop; Ground Cover Sedum)

This plant is a relatively new introduction in the ROCK 'N GROW®  series (trademark is owned by Walters Gardens, Inc.).

In spring, small serrated leaves emerge in a cool shade of blue green.  They form a perfectly rounded, low mound perfect for edging the front of the border.  As the plant matures through the season, the leaves expand and turned lighter green, forming a short, semi-upright clump. 

When ‘Pure Joy’ flowers in late summer and early fall arrive, the flowers form a massive dome of bubblegum pink,  completely covering the foliage.  Deeper pink seed heads follow later in fall. 

Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’ (Common Name: Bluestar)

Amsonia is the classic North American perennial, and ‘Storm Cloud’ is an improved selection that is worth planting for its black-asparagus sprouting stems in spring, if for no other reason.

New stems emerge in spring that are near-black with leaves that are very dark green with silver veins.  The stems stay dark throughout spring.  Light periwinkle blue, star-shaped flowers completely cover the foliage in late spring, and rebloom for many weeks afterward. Although the main interest of this plant is in spring, it maintains a great garden presence throughout the summer and fall.  Its wide, mounded habit lends itself well to be used in place of shrubs in the landscape.  

In the fall, it puts on a memorable show with shades of bright gold, red and copper.  It is easy-care, heat and humidity-tolerant and deer-resistant.  What more could you ask?!

American Gardener Magazine New Plants 2016

Excerpted from "The American Gardener" magazine - Jan/Feb 2016

New Plants for 2016

For Dendranthema fans (otherwise known as Korean mums or Hardy mums – these are the ones that come back every year but can be quite floppy and really should be pinched at least once) there’s a new, lower-maintenance cultivar.  Dendranthema ‘Pumpkin Igloo’ has a “non-fading vibrant orange flower color on a compact branching plant that doesn’t need to be pinched”.  Does well down to Zone 5.  If you’ve not used these, they bring amazing flower power to the late summer/early fall perennial border - plants are covered in orange daisy flowers for over a month.  They attract masses of late-season pollinators and are deer-resistant.

Dendranthemum 'Pumpkin Igloo' flower color really pops with other early-fall flowers and foliage.

'Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant but can be a little too wild for some gardens.  ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ is a new cultivar with shorter upright stems that won’t flop over. 

Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Denim 'n Lace' is more compact and makes a bigger flower statement than the species - but it reads more purple catmint-colored than the bluer color of the species.

Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra (False sunflower or Oxeye Daisy) also has a sturdier new cultivar called ‘Prima Ballerina’.  This is a native perennial for the back of the border with bright yellow daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators.  Heliopsis flowers from July to October and is surprisingly deer-resistant in most locations I’ve used it.  It’s a drought-tolerant native (once established) and can tolerate clay soil.  ‘Prima Ballerina’ tops out at only about 40 inches tall and does well to Zone 3.

Heliopsis is perfect for the back of a border - it even works in front foundation plantings.

If you’re looking for something different to put in annual containers this year, look into Echeveria gibbiflora Wildfire™.  This is a 10-inch tall rosette-forming succulent with ruffled, red-edged foliage serves a dramatic visual punctuation and and would look great with ground-cover sedums in a dry, desert-y full-sun container.

This Echeveria will make the blue-toned varieties pop!

Don’t be afraid to try some of the new roses – they really are much easier to grow and maintain nowadays if you choose the disease-resistant repeat-blooming varieties.  Knock-Out roses are in every median strip nowadays – we need a step up from them in our gardens!  There’s a new David Austin rose in 2016 called Rosa ‘Olivia Rose Austin’ which David Austin has called “possibly the best rose that we have introduced to date.  It is also one of the most disease-resistant roses we know.”  It’s a 3-ft tall shrub rose that blooms prolifically with double/full old-rose style flowers and a strong fruity fragrance.

Rosa 'Olivia Rose Austin'

I hope everyone has discovered the wonderfulness of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum).  For those without deer, blueberries are practically an ideal shrub.  They stay fairly compact (about the size of boxwood or spirea) with an interesting branching pattern.  They have delicate and beautiful flowers in spring, followed by berries that birds love (you can eat them too if you want) and then show-stopping red-orange-burgundy fall foliage color.  They don’t mind a bit of shade, and they tolerate wet feet.  And they’re native – what’s not to love?!  There’s a new series of compact shrubs called BrazelBerries® that includes blueberry varieties.  The new variety for 2016, ‘Perpetua’, is described as “a true double-cropping blueberry, setting fruit in midsummer and then again in fall.  ’Perpetua’s dark green leaves grow in a twisted form and are flushed deep red in fall, while the new canes turn bright yellow and red”.  Does well to Zone 4. 

Brazelberry 'Perpetua' is a compact blueberry cultivar that is self-pollinating.

The wonderfulness of high bush blueberries! This is the 'Perpetual' Brazelberry cultivar. Here you can see the flowers for the fall berry crop together with the fall-colored foliage.

2015 Perennial Plant of the Year - Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'

Geranium X cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' in flower

The Perennial Plant Association membership has voted and the 2015 Perennial Plant of the Year™ is  Geranium X cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’.

 ’Biokovo’ is a naturally occurring hybrid of Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum found in the Dalmatia region of present-day Croatia.  It blooms in late spring with masses of 5-petaled white flowers, about ¾” diameter, that are tinged pink at the base of each petal and have darker pink center stamens.  An interesting feature is that the sepals that are redder than the petals, so that when the flower opens the lightly tinged pink flowers provide a nice contrast to the sepals and stamens.  It blooms from mid-May to late July.

G. X cantabrigiense has aromatic foliage and rounded leaf edges and is semi-evergreen in most climates.  It has a spreading habit and is rhizomatous, i.e. it spreads by sending out runners.  It grows to 6-10 inches high, with a spread of about 2 feet.  It can be used as a ground cover that spreads fairly rapidly through the perennial bed or as an edger in the front of the border.  It also does well in rock gardens.  It tolerates full sun to part-shade conditions.  Its foliage turns scarlet and orange in the fall. 

Another G. X cantabrigiense variety is 'Karmina', because sometimes it matters what color the flowers are!

Geranium X cantabrigiense 'Karmina', seen below, has carmine-red flowers.

The general qualities of Geranium species (commone name "cranesbill") include: 

• Deer Resistant (OK, yes, nothing is completely deer-resistant; it is in many places I've planted it)
• Many varieties tolerate some shade
• Bloom for 4 weeks or more 
• Rabbit Resistant (again, it depends, but in general they leave it alone)
• Flowers attract butterflies
• Can be used as groundcovers (low spreaders) or bed-fillers (taller varieties)
• Need little care and no division
• Excellent mounding habit as they first start in spring, and some varieties maintain that habit.  
• Deeply cut foliage; flowers with interesting veining patterns. 
• They can be deadheaded after blooming, or the tops of the plants can be sheared back to new growth to stimulate re-bloom and freshen foliage.  
• Many varieties have beautiful red, burgundy or orange fall color that is a stand-out if the plant has been allowed to weave intself throught the garden bed.

Other types of geranium that are useful in different garden contexts, are hardy and fairly care-free include:

• Geranium macrorrhizum (Bigroot Geranium), Z 3-8, 15-18" in height, native to southern Europe, large laromatic leaves.  Varieties include 'Bevan's Variety' and 'Ingwersen's Variety', seen in the series of pictures below:

G. macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'

G. macrorrhizhum 'Ingwersen's Variety'

G. macrorrhizum fall foliage color

• Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill), Z 5-7, 24-36" tall, purple flowers from reddish veins on dark blue petals, native to northern Europe, may need staking.  Some cultivars have dark foliage; need sun for optimal foliage color.   Clump-former; blooms May – July.  Cultivars include 'Dark Reiter',  'Midnight Reiter', 'Summer Skies', 'Purple Haze', 'Mrs. Kendall Clark', 'Splish Splash'.  G. praetense does spread by seed, so it can pop up here and there throughout the garden - that may be a desirable trait if you're trying to get it to fill in, or an undesirable trait if you only want it in a certain place.

G. praetense 'Midnight Reiter'

• Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Cranesbill) Z 3-8, 9-12", magenta flowers in spring, native to Europe and Asia, tolerates heat and drought; deeply divided leaves, bright red fall color, blooms in spring.  Varieties include 'Striatum', 'Max Frei', 'Ankum's Pride'.

G. sanguineum 'Max Frei'

• Geranium wlassovianum Z 5-8, 18-24" tall; One of the first hardy Geraniums to bloom and one of the last to stop. Dusky violet flowers with deeper veining and a white eye. Fall brings outstanding deep red tones. Trails gently.  Will adapt to most soil conditions provided there is good drainage and some moisture. Nice massed as a groundcover, in rock gardens or as an informal edger. Completely carefree.

G. wlassovianumG. wlassovianum fall foliage color

•  And, of course, Geranium X 'Rozeanne' seen below.  Unbelievable quantities of large, violet-blue blooms from June until frost; hardy to Z5; 20" tall with a 2 foot spread; bluish-purple flowers are heightened by black anthers, magenta veins and a radiant white eye. Fiery red leaves in autumn; withstands sunny, hot sites and is happy just about anywhere, from an exposed border to a container.  'Rozeanne' is a naturally occurring sterile hybrid of Geranium himalayense and Geranium wallichianum ‘Buxton’s Variety’.  Lynden Miller says "No garden should be without Geranium 'Rozeanne'."

Some of Mike Ruggerio's Favorite Perennials

Mike Ruggerio, one of my favorite teachers from NYBG, basically knows everything about anything related to trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs.  His talks are always both funny and fascinating – you never fail to learn about a million new things.  And you long to see what his own gardens are like!

This particular talk was on new perennials – new cultivars that fit his definition of a perennial – “a plant that comes back after more than two years”  - meaning they are cold-hardy, adaptable, easy, beautiful and for the most part long-blooming – many also deer resistant.

I’ve chosen a few that I love too, or that I’m definitely going to try.

• Achillea ‘Oertel’s Rose’ (yarrow) is a lavender-pink, gentle form of yarrow – a nice alternative to golden yellow that fits in well with the purple/white/pink/chartreuse/burgundy garden.  I love the fresh foliage of yarrow in the spring – it’s one of the earliest.  BUT it’s a dry meadow plant – it won’t be nice if you don’t have the right conditions.

• Actaea ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ and ‘Black Negligee’ (bugbane) are dark-foliaged cultivars of the green-leaved species.  Bugbane is wonderful in shade, with mounds of almost-black foliage and fragrant white wand-like flowers rising up several feet above the foliage in autumn.  It’s an excellent back-of-the-border choice for your shade garden.  The newest cultivar ‘Black Negligee’ has foliage that is more purple than black – we’ll see if we can get better photos this season that show it’s purple-ness.  ‘Black Negligee’ typically grows to 4-5’ tall and is a noteworthy addition to the garden for its deeply-cut, dark purplish-black leaves on branched, dark stems.  The foliage has a lacy effect, hence the cultivar name, and makes an effective accent throughout the growing season.

Black Negligee

• Corydalis lutea (yellow corydalis) seems to have it all if you’re in the market for a self-seeding spreading deer-resistant ground cover for shade that flowers from May till frost.  It’s easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Corydalis doesn’t tolerate wet feet, and wet soils in winter can be fatal.   It forms a mound of ferny, medium green foliage to 15" tall and 18" wide and produces bright yellow flowers.   It’s great for shaded rock gardens or border fronts and forms a nice ground cover in shady woodland areas.  Wear gloves – the sap is very irritating.

• Echinacea purpurea ‘Fragrant Angel’ (coneflower) has taken over as “best white coneflower”.  It’s a pure white color that stays white and it’s also quite fragrant.  Don’t plant it if you have groundhogs – they’ll come from far and wide and eat every bite on the first day.

• Hemerocallis X ‘Barbara Mitchell’ is his favorite daylily – a “true pink” flower 6” wide.  He also enthused about H. X ‘Bill Norris’, a golden daylily that grows 4 ft tall.

Hybrid daylily 'Barbara Mitchell'

Hybrid Daylily 'Bill Norris'

• For those of you who don’t already know about Geranium macrorrhizum (bigroot geranium), here’s another shade plant/groundcover that is deer-resistant, has either white or pink flowers, spreads enthusiastically by runners, has a nice fall foliage color and is semi-evergreen in our area.  It flowers in May – June, and after that is just a mound of foliage.

• Another geranium that he mentioned in passing is one of my new favorites – Geranium X ‘Midnight Reiter’ (cranesbill) – it has purplish-black leaves and dusky blue-violet flowers.  It goes with everything, and, like most cranesbill, spreads nicely.

• His favorite new aster cultivar, Aster tataricus ‘Jin-Dai’ (tatarian aster), a full-sun standout that blooms in October when basically nothing else is flowering.  ‘Jin-Dai’ is a compact cultivar (believe it or not!), typically growing 3-4' tall.  (The species may reach 6-7' tall).  Distinctive almost tobacco-like basal leaves are up to 18" long and 5" wide – interesting foliage for the spring garden. Dense and abundant blue flowers with yellow centers appear in autumn on rigid stems. This late bloomer doesn’t need pinching to control height and doesn’t flop (i.e. doesn’t need staking) as long as it’s in full sun and usually blooms until the first frost.  Added bonus - attractive to butterflies!