New Plant Pavilion 2008

Once again, this publication highlighted outstanding selections at the NMPRO New Plant Pavilion. This year the event was Feb. 8-11 at the American Nursery & Landscape Association Management Clinic in Louisville, Ky., featuring 42 plants from 23 companies. All plant information was provided by the companies.

(For a PDF version including pictures, click here.) 

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Astilbe

Plants Nouveau is offering ‘ Delft Lace,’ which was bred by AB-Cultivars in the Netherlands. Deep-blue-green, waxy foliage is covered with a lacey silver overlay, like ‘Visions.’ Soft-peach flowers are held strongly above the foliage on candy-apple-red stems. Plants reach 12-15 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide. Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-7.

Aster

Blooms of Bressingham is introducing aster ‘Vibrant Dome,’ which was discovered by Bobbie Schwartz in Ohio. This vigorous sport of ‘Purple Dome’ has the same tough, compact, disease resistance and heavy flowering. Star-shaped flowers are hot raspberry and completely cover the foliage. Foliage is dark green and lance shaped. Plants reach 19 inches tall and 30 inches wide in a season. ‘Vibrant Dome’ is shorter and more garden friendly than most asters. Staking isn’t necessary. Plants can be divided every third year. Hardy in Zones 3-8.

Banana

Hort Couture is offering Siam Ruby, a rare banana variety found in Papua, New Guinea. Leaves are very dark red and may have chartreuse coloring. It is a diploid variety with a double sets of chromosomes. Plants reach 8 feet tall. Hardy to Zone 10.

Bougainvillea

Golden Jackpot (‘Monsam’) is a discovery by Monrovia craftsman Sam Huang as a branch sport of Purple Queen. It has the same intense-purple bracts, but Golden Jackpot has chartreuse and yellow to golden foliage. Plants have a dense, mounding habit and prefer dappled shade. It is a slow grower with fewer thorns than its parent. Growth rate is medium at 4-5 feet per year. It is a Monrovia exclusive. Hardy in Zones 10-11.

Buddleia

Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip’ is a Buddleia davidii that is part of the Proven Winners ColorChoice program from Spring Meadow Nursery. It’ll be a Gold Key plant for two years. Lo & Behold was discovered by Denny Werner at North Carolina State University. It’s the only blue-flowering, dwarf buddleia on the market. Plants are fast growers with a mature height of 3-4 feet and a width of 3 feet. Hardy to Zone 5.

Canna

‘Tropical White’ is the fifth member of American Takii’s Canna x generalis series. Plants have single flowers clustered in terminal spikes. It is a dwarf, seed-propagated, daylength-neutral variety. Plants are well-branched and can be used in water gardens.

Cherry

Prunus x ‘Snofozam’ Pink Snow Showers is a weeping-form flowering cherry from Lake County Nursery. This tree reaches 25 feet tall with a 20- to 25-foot spread. Flowers are double and the color of a blushing pink pearl. Foliage is polished mint green. Fruit is few, but black and 1/3 inch long. Pink Snow Showers is a strong grower with a great graft take. Hardy to Zone 4.

Coneflower

Plants Nouveau has three new Echinacea purpurea. All were bred by AB-Cultivars breeder Arie Blom in the Netherlands.

‘Pink Double Delight’s pompon flowers are truly double. Plants have a compact habit and multiple flowers per stem. Flowers are bright, clear pink fading to mauve. Plants reach 18-24 inches tall. Hardy in Zones (4) 5-9.

‘Coconut Lime,’ also from Plants Nouveau, is the first double, white coneflower. Flowers begin leaf-green, maturing to lime-green. Cones develop into tubular, greenish-white ray petals. Plants are well-branched and floriferous. They produce many straight, sturdy flower stems. Hardy in Zones (4) 5-9.

‘Avalanche’ is a dwarf Echinacea with crisp, white flowers, also from Plants Nouveau. Plants have a uniform habit that makes them perfect for smaller spaces. They’ll flower from July to September. Plant height is 15-18 inches. Hardy in Zones (4) 5-9.

PlantHaven is offering E. purpurea ‘Elton Knight,’ which was bred by Anthony Brooks in England. Its habit is improved. Plants are compact and completely stake-free. Unlike most coneflowers, plants are multistemmed. Flowers are brilliant magenta with petals that don’t droop. They can reach 6 inches in diameter. Bushy plants produce flowers that can be used as cuts. Hardy in Zones 3-8.

Daylily

Mean Mr. Mustard is a reflowering Hemerocallis from Centerton Nursery. Flowers are rich mustard-golden yellow with a maroon eyezone, a double edge of maroon and gold and a chartreuse to green throat. Sepals will also show blushes of pink after cooler nights. Well-branched flowerscapes and solid reflowering provide more than 75 days of flowers. So far, Mean Mr. Mustard has shown no susceptibility to daylily rust. Plants are hardy in Zones 4-9.

Dianthus

PlantHaven is introducing Raspberry Surprise, which was bred by English plantsman John Whetman. It was bred for its intense fragrance, long-lasting, double flowers and compact habit. Plants flower prolifically and are double pink with a raspberry center. Foliage is blue-green, fine and narrow. Plants reach 6-10 inches tall. Hardy to Zone 6.

Elm

J. Frank Schmidt & Son is offering Ulmus propinqua ‘JFS-Bieberich’ Emerald Sunshine. This tree was discovered by Steve Bieberich of Sunshine Nursery from plants grown from seed collected in China. Its leaves are strongly textured and dark green. Emerging growth has a reddish tint and white pubescence that turns green with maturity. Fall color is rich yellow. This upright, vase-shaped tree matures to 30 feet tall with a 25-foot spread. Plants are resistant to elm leaf beetle feeding, phloem necrosis and Dutch Elm disease. Hardy to Zone 5.

Euphorbia

Skagit Gardens’ Euphorbia ‘Nothowlee’ Blackbird was selected for its compact, bushy habit and foliage color. New growth is dark red, maturing to deep purple. In full sun, it’ll darken in late summer and fall to almost black. In spring, yellow-green flowers provide nice contrast. Plants reach 16-18 inches tall with a 20-inch spread. Plants are fairly drought tolerant. Hardy to Zone 7.

Gaillardia

PlantHaven is offering Oranges and Lemons, which was selected by U.K. plantswoman Rosemary Hardy. Plants are more floriferous and hold flowers far longer than others on the market. Flowers are large and peach-orange with yellow tips and a gold central cone. Round, chartreuse flower heads appear after the flowers are spent. Foliage is medium green. Overall plant height (18-24 inches) and habit are more upright and erect than other gaillardias. Hardy to Zone 5.

Novalis is offering Skagit Gardens’ Commotion Tizzy, which was bred by John Dixon. Flowers are fluted with higher petal counts that make them appear semi-double. Early in the season, flowers are russet-red and burgundy with hints of yellow. At the end of summer, hints of orange appear giving flowers a red to rosy cotta color. Plants reach 18-24 inches tall. Hardy to Zone 5.

Helleborus

‘HGC Silvermoon’ is a member of Yoder Brothers’ Gold Collection, which was bred by Heuger-Blumen. Flowers are snowy white that fade to dusky rose. Flowers appear in January on this very hardy perennial. Plants have a short, compact habit, and they are very uniform. They reach 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. Plants have two sales windows -- in fall as perennials (green plants) and in spring as potted plants in flower. Hardy in Zones 5-9.

Heuchera

Moonlight is an exclusive introduction from Monrovia. Plants were bred by Charles and Martha Oliver. Moonlight has very large, showy, pale-green flowers and purple and silver foliage. Stems are dark purple and strong enough to hold the large flowers. Hardy in Zones 4-9.

Garden Splendor is offering ‘Peach Flambe,’ a selection from Terra Nova Nurseries. Foliage is ever-changing, ranging from creamy mango, cantaloupe and apricot in spring to bright peach and amber in early summer. Mature leaves have flame-red veins. Spikes of white flowers are borne above the foliage in early to midsummer. Summer foliage is rose, caramel and bronze-green. Winter gives it tints of avocado and plum-purple. Hardy to Zone 4.

Walters Gardens is offering ‘Tiramisu’ PPAF, a Heuchera villosa hybrid developed by Thierry Delabroye. In spring and fall, chartreuse foliage has a heavy smattering of brick red that radiates from the midrib of each leaf. In cool fall weather, leaves are almost completely red. In summer, leaves lighten to chartreuse with a light-silver overlay. Cream flowers top the clump in midsummer. Plants reach 8-10 inches tall with a 10-inch spread. Hardy in Zones 4-9.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Strawberries & Cream’ is a Flemings hybrid offered by Monrovia. Flowers are bicolor and measure 10 inches. They are hot pink fading to pale pink with a glowing red center, which gives an illusion that flowers are double. Plants flower over a very long season. Foliage is lance-shaped and shiny green and measures 4 inches. Plants have increased disease resistance and can withstand drought, wind and flood. They have a compact growth habit and reach 4 feet tall. Hardy in Zones 4-9.

Holly

Ilex crenata ‘Drops of Gold’ is a gold Japanese holly found as a branch sport of ‘Hetzii’ in Geneva, Ohio. Liners are being offered by Conard-Pyle Co. Plants have an upright, broad, spreading habit that makes them wider rather than tall. It’s a female cultivar, but fruit isn’t particularly ornamental. Foliage is evergreen and glossy medium-green with a golden-yellow splash when exposed to full sun. Foliage needs full sun for the best coloration. Plants respond well to shearing after new growth hardens. Hardy in Zones (5) 6-8.

Honeysuckle

Conard-Pyle is offering Lonicera nitida ‘Briloni’ Edmee Gold, which is from Andre Briant Jeunes Plants in France. This dense, leafy, mounding shrub is valued primarily for its foliage. Plants cascade down slopes and root in where they touch down, creating a golden blanket. This mutation of Maigrun keeps its yellow foliage in the shade. Flowers are 1/4 to 1/2 long and are produced in axillary, short-stalked pairs. Fruit is bluish-purple and appears in summer. Shrubs reach 3 feet tall and wide and are noninvasive. Hardy in Zones (4) 5-8.

Hydrangea

Mini Penny is a Hydrangea macrophylla licensed to McCorkle Nurseries. It was developed by Michael Dirr and is named to honor “The Hydrangea Queen” Penny McHenry. It is a compact, reflowering mophead with very large flowers. Flowers appear from spring through fall if spent flowers are removed. They are pink or blue, depending on the soil. Leaves are dark green and leathery. Plants are very mildew resistant. Plants are consistently dwarf varieties, and average plant size is 3-4 feet wide and tall. Mini Penny is part of the Woody Plant Introduction Program from the University of Georgia’s Department of Horticulture and the Center for Applied Nursery Research in Dearing, Ga. The plants are patented by the University of Georgia’s Research Foundation and royalties gathered are used to support cultivar development. Hardy in Zones 5-9.

Libertia

Libertia ixioides‘Goldfinger’ is a selection from Naturally Native New Zealand Plants that’s being introduced by PlantHaven. Plants have elegant, weeping foliage with a prominent, golden-yellow central stripe. Profusions of pure-white, starlike flowers are produced in clusters just clear of the foliage from midspring. Large, yellow berries appear in fall. Plants reach 24 inches tall and wide at maturity. Hardy to Zone 8.

Loropetalum

Loropetalum chinense ‘Shang-hi’ Purple Diamond is part of the Southern Living Plant Collection from PDSI. Plants reach 4-5 feet tall and 4 1/2 feet wide and have a compact habit. Vibrant-pink flowers appear in spring with occasional summer and fall flowers. Foliage is burgundy on both sides.

L. chinense ‘Shang-lo’ Purple Pixie is part of the Southern Living Plant Collection from PDSI. This truly dwarf evergreen reaches 1-2 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Its groundcover nature adds rich, deep-burgundy color and vibrant-pink flowers to landscapes. Plants have a weeping habit.

Lychnis

‘Rolly’s Favorite’ is a Future Plants introduction available from Garden Splendor. Plants are smothered in single, pink flowers with white centers. Growth habit is bushy, compact and freely branching with upward and outwardly spreading stems. Flowers continuously appear from late spring to summer. Plants reach 15 inches tall with a 12-inch spread. Hardy to Zone 4.

Penstemon

Pacific Plug & Liner is offering Red Ridding Hood. This hardy selection is a basal-branching form with deep-watermelon-red flowers. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants are very grower friendly to produce in 1 gallon or larger containers. They reach 18-24 inches tall. Hardy in Zones 5-8.

Planetree

Chicagoland Grows is offering a new London planetree named ‘Morton Thornhill’ that’s trademarked as Encore. It was bred to resist anthracnose and powdery mildew. Encore is a hybrid selection of Plantanus orientalis x P. occidentalis developed by George Ware at the Morton Arboretum. The parent tree is fully winter hardy with no frost cracking. It exhibits a vigorous growth rate with a strong central leader and uniform pyramidal growth habit. It id densely branched with light fruit production and attractive exfoliating bark. This planetree works well in urban areas, parking lot islands and median strips. Encore grows 60 feet tall and 45 feet wide. Hardy in Zones 4-8.

Raphiolepis

Calisto is a Raphiolepis indica that’s part of the Southern Living Plant Collection from PDSI. Its lustrous, deep-green leaves have a signature curl. Dark-pink flowers are larger than other members of the genus. In winter, foliage is burgundy. Plants reach 30 inches tall and 4 feet wide. They are also salt tolerant.

Rose

Conard-Pyle Co. is offering breeder Bill Radler’s Carefree Celebration (‘Radral’). This landscape shrub rose has 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-inch, ovoid, brick-orange buds that open to 2- to 2 1/2-inch, coral-salmon flowers. There are three to five flowers per stem. Foliage is medium green and new foliage is bronze red. Plants have excellent disease tolerance, especially for blackspot and mildew. Carefree Celebration has the same superior disease resistance and flower power of Radler’s other creations. Hardy to Zone 5.

Sunny Knock Out (‘Radsunny’) is the latest addition to the series, which is available from Conard-Pyle Co. This Bill Radler creation has the same dark foliage as the series, but it has a slightly more upright habit. This landscape shrub rose has 2-inch, pointed, bright-yellow buds that open to 3-inch, cream-white flowers when they are fully open. Plants are very vigorous with very good disease tolerance. Sunny Knock Out flowers year-round in mild climates. Hardy to Zone 4.

Pink Supreme is the eighth member of Anthony Tesselaar USA’s Flower Carpet series. Plants exhibit superior resistance to leaf diseases that plague roses, such as blackspot and mildew. Buds are deep cherry. Blossoms open bright pink (sometimes with white at the heart) and mature to warm pink. These double flowers appear in clusters up to 11 inches across. Foliage is dark, glossy green and medium sized. Hardy in Zones 5-11.

Schizachyrium

Schizachyrium scopariumCarousel is a little bluestem available from Chicagoland Grows. It was developed by Don Boehm of Boehm’s Garden Center in Rushville, Ill. This compact selection of a native grass resists winter lodging. Summer foliage is blue-green with streaks of pink. In fall, there are copper, pink, beige and mahogany hues. Plants reach 2 1/2 feet tall and wide. Hardy in Zones 3-8.

Smoketree

Cotinus coggygria ‘Old Fashioned’ is a selection from the Netherlands offered by PlantHaven. This deciduous tree has striking foliage. It’s blue in summer, while new growth is dark pink in spring. In fall, older leaves take on pink tones with orange and red tips. Plants reach 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Bright yellow-green flowers appear in spring for just a few days. It is a quick grower. Hardy in Zones 5-8.

Sweet potato vine

Ipomoea batatas Chihuahua is new from Hort Couture. This dwarf variety grows fast enough to be profitable for growers, but slow enough for retailers and consumers to have manageable plants for mixed containers and baskets.

Veronica

Veronica prostrata ‘Goldwell’ is a Blooms of Bressingham introduction available from Garden Splendor. Plants form a spreading, noninvasive mat of variegated foliage with gold edges. Spikes of bright purple-blue flowers appear in late spring and early summer. Plants reach 4 inches tall with a 18- to 24-inch spread. Hardy to Zone 5.

Wax flower

Cascade Mist is part of the Honey Bunch Wax Collection that’s available from the Plant People. Flowers are blush pink that fades to white as they mature. Plants reach 5 inches tall as a bush flowering plant and 6 inches as a standard one. They can grow 6-8 feet tall if allowed. They can be shaped as needed.

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium Pomegranate is the newest member of the Tutti Frutti series, which is available from Blooms of Bressingham. It was bred by K. Sahin in the Netherlands. Plants have a fuller, more branching habit than the genus. Flowers are rich, velvety red. They appear from June through August. Foliage is reliable and disease resistant, even in the heat. Plants reach 29 inches tall and 28 inches wide. Hardy in Zones 4-8.

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Zelkova

Gold Falls (‘C Creek I’) is a trademarked Zelkova serrata developed by Charlie’s Creek Nursery. It is very upright in habit with weeping, interweaving branches. It is ideal for narrow spots in the landscape. Foliage is green to dark green, except in fall when leaves turn vibrant yellow. Leaves are alternate, simple and ovate to oblanceolate with serrated margins. Gold Falls is a moderate grower, reaching 30-35 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. Trees are upright and vase shaped. They will adapt well to many soil types, but prefer well-drained soil in full sun. Liners are available from John Holmlund Nursery. Finished plant material is available from Bold Spring Nursery and Charlie’s Creek Nursery. Hardy in Zones 5-8.

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Two perennials tied for the Favorite Plant Award at the NMPRO Plant Pavilion during the ANLA Management Clinic.

‘Coconut Lime’ from Plants Nouveau is the first double, white coneflower.

Skagit Gardens’ gaillardia Commotion Tizzy flowers are fluted with higher petal counts that make them appear semi-double. It is being offered by Novalis. 

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American Takii, (831) 443-4901; www.takii.com.

Anthony Tesselaar USA, (310) 349-0714; www.tesselaar.com.

Blooms of Bressingham, (800) 321-9573; www.bobna.com.

Charlie’s Creek Nursery, (864) 348-7849; (877) 805-6168; charliescrk@wctel.net.

Centerton Nursery, (800) 533-1132; www.centertonnursery.com.

Chicagoland Grows, (847) 835-8301; www.chicagolandgrows.org.

Conard-Pyle Co., (800) 458-6559; www.conard-pyle.com.

Garden Splendor, (856) 451-3179; www.gardensplendor.com.

Hort Couture, (866) 955-HORT; www.hortcoutureplants.com.

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., (800) 825-8202; www.jfschmidt.com.

Lake County Nursery, (800) 522-5253; www.lakecountynursery.com.

McCorkle Nurseries, (800) 572-2874; www.gardenersconfidence.com.

Monrovia Growers, (800) 999-9321; www.monrovia.com.

Novalis, (888) 845-1988; www.novalis.com.

Pacific Plug & Liner, (831) 722-5396; www.ppandl.net.

PDSI, (888) 922-7374; www.plantdevelopment.com.

PlantHaven, (805) 569-9179; www.planthaven.com.

Plant People, (559) 592-1681; www.honeybunchwax.com.

Plants Nouveau, (410) 858-0577; www.plantsnouveau.com.

Skagit Gardens, (800) 334-1719; www.skagitgardens.com.

Spring Meadow Nursery, (800) 633-8859; www.springmeadow.com.

Walters Gardens, (888) 925-8377; www.waltersgardens.com.

Yoder, (800) 233-0285; www.yoder.com.

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