by Sara Begg, Executive Editor

Today's post is inspired by a press packet that came to Horticulture a few weeks ago. We receive alot of press packets and alerts about new plants, tools, and really, any product that might remotely qualify as garden-related (reusable cement anyone?). The packet I was leafing through this morning was from Terra Nova Nurseries, one of the big breeders, growers, and plant introducers (is that a word?) in this country. They first became known for owner Dan Heim's heuchera breeding and until recently, I thought of them as rather heuchera-centric. But now, things seem to have changed. Of the 41 new perennials they are releasing in 2008, I've picked out five that particularly made me swoon on this cool, grey, dark November morning (NB: I have grown none of these plants, so cannot advise anyone on the quality, vigor, or hardiness of these plants)(NB part deux: These particular plants appealed in part because I'm planning for a pale lemon yellow/blue spring palette evolving into a hot orange/purple scheme by late summer).

Bergenia 'Solar Flare'

The variegation of this bergenia is nuts and gorgeous. This is a genera I cannot get enough of. If they die in my garden, I plant more.

Echinacea 'Tiki Torch'

There are so many gorgeous new coneflowers out there. This crazy orange (and the name) screams summer to me.

Coreopsis 'Moonlight'

Can't resist the pale lemon yellow color, even if it will be blooming when my hot orange/purple combo will be supposedly in full swing. I usually don't get that psyched about coreopsis, but I'm trying to break through my prejudice. We'll see if 'Moonlight' can do it.

Campanula 'Summertime Blues'

The printed picture looks super-blue, but I'm guessing it tends more towards a purpley-blue, which would work well for me if it really blooms for as long as they claim.

Heuchera 'Midnight Rose'

Had to include one of these guys. And this hot pink-flecked-burgundy-leaved heuchera looks really beautiful. I love using heuchera leaves in little bouquets, you appreciate their details better that way. This color combo really gets me pumped. Have you ever seen Hemerocallis 'Midnight Oil'. Ridiculous.

And that is it. Photos will be posted by noon today (and are courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries).

Read Meg Lynch's blog

Read Nan Sinton's blog

Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:33:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [2]