Better-than-ever perennials
By: Garden Gate staff
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Better-than-ever perennials
New plants come on the market every year, but it’s hard to know if their qualities, such as different flower color, more compact habit or improved pest resistance are really worth the investment. There are many, though, that will fit in right alongside your reliable old favorites.
Just click ahead to find 4 improved perennials that stand out in the garden and live up to your expectations!
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‘Bonfire’ cushion spurge Euphorbia polychroma
As it comes up, ‘Bonfire’ foliage is green. Then, unlike a plain cushion spurge, it quickly changes to a dusky red. Later, as the dense mound reaches its full size, each stem is tipped with the bright sulfur-yellow bracts you see here. By midsummer the foliage becomes a deep red, glowing against the green interior leaves. And in fall, the red leaves brighten up a bit before the plant goes down with a killing freeze.
Blooms Gold bracts and flowers in spring to midsummer
Light Full sun
Soil Well-drained to dry
Size 12 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 4 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
Source Bluestone Perennials, Inc.
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‘Happy Days’ perennial sunflower Helianthus hybrid
Many perennial sunflowers are lanky plants best suited to the back of the border. ‘Happy Days’ has sturdy stems that are an ideal height for the middle of the border, as well as for bouquets. And it’s showy enough to use in large containers.
Blooms Golden-yellow in midsummer to early fall
Light Full sun
Soil Moist, well-drained
Size 20 to 24 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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‘Valentine’ old-fashioned bleeding heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Instead of the medium pink flowers you find on common old-fashioned bleeding heart, these are a striking cherry-red. And rather than plain green, the stems are burgundy so they really stand out against the dusky gray-green foliage.
Blooms Cherry-red hearts in late spring
Light Part to full shade
Soil Moist, well-drained
Size 20 to 30 in. tall and wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
Source White Flower Farm
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‘Fire Island’ hosta Hosta hybrid
Hostas are a mainstay of the shade garden, and deservedly so, but it would be nice to get more color from them. ‘Fire Island’ has gold to chartreuse leaves, which remain colorful all summer. Pull them back for a peek underneath and you’ll discover the stems are deep red.
Blooms 20-in.-tall lavender flowers in late summer
Light Part to full shade
Soil Well-drained
Size 10 to 14 in. tall, 15 to 30 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
Source White Flower Farm
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