Favorite new sun perennial introductions for 2026
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‘Sundial’ false sunflower
(Heliopsis helianthoides)
The centers of these golden-yellow blooms glow red when they first emerge, then mature to solid yellow, so each plant has a mix of colorful flowers in mid- to late summer. This color combination really pops against the burgundy foliage of the smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) at right.
This drought-tolerant native perennial has an upright habit with rich olive green foliage that takes on a deep purple tone when it first emerges. ‘Sundial’ has excellent resistance to powdery mildew.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Vibrant golden yellow flowers with red centers
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 48 to 54 in. tall, 40 to 46 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer: Walters Gardens, Inc.
Source: Bluestone Perennials, bluestoneperennials.com, 800-852-5243
Skyward™ Light Pink speedwell (Veronica hybrid)
More compact than other veronica varieties, Skyward Light Pink has clusters of spikes starting in late spring, and they keep going through summer, enticing lots of pollinators.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Compact plants covered in lilac blooms
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 14 to 18 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer: Darwin Perennials®
Source: Local garden centers
Learn more about Skyward speedwell
Take a look at our tour with Darwin Perennials at their test gardens to learn more about this new perennial introductions.
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‘Passion Hearts’ fernleaf bleeding heart (Dicentra hybrid)
This low-growing perennial is tougher than it looks, putting on quite a show near the front of the border. Its ferny blue foliage is topped off with an abundance of heart-shaped bicolor pink blooms in spring, but it doesn’t stop there. Flowers keep coming through summer, even in the heat.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Bicolor blooms from spring to fall
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 26 to 28 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer: Walters Gardens, Inc.
Source: Sooner Plant Farm, soonerplantfarm.com, 918-453-0771
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Orange Sparkler dianthus (Dianthus hybrid)
Part of the Scent First® series, this fragrant dianthus has unusual orange blooms with hot pink flecks in spring and makes a great cut flower. It reblooms off and on through summer, with silver-blue foliage to keep the garden interesting when the flowers take a break.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Fragrant blooms in a unique color for dianthus
Light: Full sun
Size: 10 to 12 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 5 to 9
Introducer: PlantHaven International, Inc.
Source: Local garden centers
‘Prairie Princess’ ironweed (Vernonia hybrid)
With its smaller size and sturdy stems, this new ironweed doesn’t splay open like the species. Its upright stems are covered in late-summer to early-fall blooms, making it a late-season pollinator favorite.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Small rosy purple asterlike flowers on compact plants
Light: Full sun
Size: 26 to 30 in. tall, 30 to 36 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer: Proven Winners®
Source: Garden Crossings, gardencrossings.com, 616-875-6355
‘Violets Are Blue’ delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
The large blue-violet blooms with a white “bee” in the center will turn heads. The biggest flush of flowers is in early summer, but plants rebloom into early fall. Though the stems are sturdy, staking is still a good idea in windy spots.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Dramatic blue-violet blooms on tough plants
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 30 to 36 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 7
Introducer: Proven Winners®
Source: Sooner Plant Farm, soonerplantfarm.com, 918-453-0771
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
caption
Name (Bot hybrid)
tk
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: A
Light: F
Size: 1
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer:
Source: Local garden centers
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