More plant picks for 2015 from nurseries, plant breeders and wholesalers, and seed companies.
New plants
Wasabi coleus
Wasabi holds its bright colour without fading or spotting. Makes a dynamite combination when planted with Sultana coleus. Plants don’t produce flowers. Key facts for growing Wasabi coleus 21 in (54 cm) tall, 26 in (65 cm) wide Shade to full sun Bright chartreuse foliage compliments many flower colours. Try this with deep burgundy petunias, […]
Casino Light Yellow melampodium
The breeder, Takii Seed, says this cultivar is slightly taller and more vigorous than Lemon Delight. Although perfectly suitable for growing in a container, they would also make a good knee-high patch of colour in a garden bed. The plants are full of bright, cheerful daisy-type flowers that thrive in heat and humidity. Key facts […]
Superbells Cherry Star calibrachoa
This calibrachoa is from Proven Winners, the newest colour combination in their Superbells collection. Although known for their vigor and heat tolerance, the plants are susceptible to rot if watered too frequently—wait until the top few inches of soil is dry before watering. Calibrachoas look a bit like miniature petunias, to which they’re related. But […]
Rockapulco Coral Reef impatiens
Key facts about Rockapulco Coral Reef impatiens 13 in (33 cm) tall, 18 in (45 cm) wide Part shade to part sun Double impatiens blooms remind me of mini roses. This new introduction has an exceptionally vibrant colour, and the plants stand up to heat and humidity. —Beckie Fox, Garden Making More info: The Rockapulco Series […]
Sunpatiens Carmine Red
Key facts about Sunpatiens Carmine Red 20 in (50 cm) tall, 24 in (60 cm) wide Part sun This dark red New Guinea impatiens has a vigorous growth habit with a noticeable spreading habit, making it an excellent choice for landscape applications. —Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph More info: The Sunpatiens Series comes in other […]
Cool Wave Series pansies
Key facts about Cool Wave Series pansies 8 in (20 cm) tall, 24-30 in (60-76 cm) spread Part to full sun This mix of white, blue blush and yellow pansies has a strong trailing habit—a new trait. It’s also winter hardy, like many new pansies. —Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph More info: These are perfect […]
3D Silver osteospermum
20 in (50 cm) tall, 34 in (86 cm) wide Part to full sun The 3D series of osteospermum has excellent heat tolerance and unique double flowers that are long lasting. —Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph More info 3D Silver is one in a series of new osteospermums, also called African daisies. The other colours […]
Magnum Fire New Guinea impatiens
Magnum Fire New Guinea impatiens 8 in (20 cm) tall, 14 in (35 cm) wide Part sun Super-sized flowers in a vivid, striking shade of scarlet—definitely an attention getter in a flower bed or in a container. —Beckie Fox, Garden Making More info: Enormous flowers that sit just above the foliage cover the plants. Bred […]
XXL Veracruz dahlia
Key facts about XXL Veracruz dahlia 22-60 in (55-60 cm) tall, 35-26 in (64-66 cm) wide Part to full sun The two-tone flowers on this mid-height dahlia would tie in well with white and violet colour schemes. Remove flowers as they fade to keep plants blooming throughout the season.—Beckie Fox, Garden Making More info: Bred […]
Simply Salad Global Gourmet Mix
Key facts about Simply Salad Global Gourmet Mix (lettuce, brassicas and Asian herbs) Harvest when 6 in (15 cm) tall Part to full sun Each multi-seed pellet contains five to seven seeds of different salad greens. Harvest when leaves are six inches tall, cutting back to one inch above soil level. The plants will put […]
Sultana coleus
Key facts about Sultana coleus 20-23 in (50-58 cm) tall, (64-72 cm) wide Shade to full sun Sultana doesn’t flower and has a good compact growth habit in sun or shade. —Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph More info: Similar in vigour to Henna, but with large, scalloped burgundy leaves with a chartreuse netting pattern at […]
Vertigo purple fountain grass
Key facts about Vertigo purple fountain grass 45-50 in (115-127 cm) tall, 48-57 in (122-144 cm) wide Part to full sun This didn’t produce flowerheads in the 2011 trials, however, the foliage is a deeper colour than most other purple fountain grasses. —Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph More info A new addition to Proven Winners’ […]
Confetti Garden Bee Happy
Key facts about Confetti Garden Bee Happy (Queen Bee petunia, yellow bidens, white verbena) 10-12 in (25-30 cm) tall, 24-32 in (60-80 cm) wide Part shade to full sun A new trend with three different plant species grown together from the beginning to create an instant mixed planter. —Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph More info […]
Field of Dreams ornamental corn
Key facts about Field of Dreams ornamental corn 60-70 in (150-180 cm) tall, 12-18 in (30-45 cm) wide Full sun “Plants have tricolour foliage and look best when grown in a sheltered area, away from high winds. Raccoons and other critters like the small corn cobs produced in late summer.” —Rodger Tschanz, Trial Garden Manager, […]
Dragone Sunset begonia
Key facts for Dragone Sunset begonia 9-12 in (24-30 cm) tall, 10-12 in (25-30 cm) wide Shade to part sun Hiemalis types of begonias are usually grown indoors, but this hybrid grows exceptionally well outdoors. It’s resistant to powdery mildew and blooms well until frost. —Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph More info: The plant’s most striking […]