Variety Notebook

Alcea rosea Halo Blush
Bred by Thompson & Morgan, the Alcea rosea Halo Blush series blooms large white flowers that feature yellow centers and fuchsia-colored halos. With a rapid growth rate, expect it to reach 5 to 6 feet in height and 18 to 24 inches in spread. This hollyhock forms a bushy clump of foliage with tall spikes and blooms in early to mid summer. Blush is hardy to Zones 3 to 8 and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

For more: Walters Gardens Inc., waltersgardens.com

Lavender Superblue
This Lavandula angustifolia has good winter hardiness and is persistent in the landscape. Blooming late spring to late summer, it free-flowers in heat and humidity and is weather tolerant. With a mounded plant habit, it grows between 10 and 12 inches tall and wide. Superblue is hardy to Zones 4a to 9b and needs fertilizer once a month.

For more: Darwin Perennials, darwinperennials.com

Petunia Marvel Beauty Blueberry
Dark yellow centers stand out from the red-purple veins on this petunia’s medium-sized flowers. Compact with a semi-trailing habit, Blueberry has an early bloom time and can be produced for 10- to 13-centimeter sized pots or for hanging baskets. Petunia Marvel Beauty is also available in Raspberry, which has rose-colored veins on smaller flowers.

For more: Danziger, danziger.co.il

Insider Info
Lavandula Angustifolia is native to the western Mediterranean.