Garden Varieties Worth the Hype
Solutions for Common Garden Frustrations
As gardeners, we're always on the lookout for plants that solve common problems or offer something special. This year, I'm particularly excited about several varieties that promise to elevate our gardens with improved features and unique characteristics.
Catmint Gets an Upgrade
If you've ever been frustrated by floppy catmint sprawling across your pathways, 'Purrsian Blue' Nepeta faassenii is about to become your new best friend. This improved variety maintains its upright habit without the characteristic flop of traditional catmints, while still offering those lovely lavender-blue spikes that pollinators adore.
A Well-Behaved Black-Eyed Susan
'American Gold Rush' Rudbeckia is revolutionizing how we think about Black-Eyed Susans. Unlike its wandering cousins, this variety forms neat, compact mounds that would make any garden designer proud. It's perfect for gardeners who love the cheerful golden blooms but prefer their plants to know their boundaries.
The Iris That Keeps On Giving
Just when you thought iris season was too short, 'Immortality' German Bearded Iris arrives to change the game. This pristine white rebloomer doesn't just offer a stunning spring show – it returns for encore performances throughout the season. As if that weren't enough, its sweet fragrance makes it a must-have for cutting gardens.
Blue Foliage For The Win
'Blue Shadow' Fothergilla major is a shrub that proves flowers aren't everything. Its striking blue foliage provides months of interest, a refreshing departure from standard green. Come fall, it transforms into a spectacular show of autumn colors, making it a true four-season performer in the landscape.
Hydrangeas: When Size Matters
Two hydrangea varieties have caught my attention this year. 'Invincibelle Wee White' (Hydrangea arborescens) is a game-changer for small spaces and containers, packing all the charm of its larger cousins into a petite 1-2.5' package. Meanwhile, 'Bloomstruck' (Hydrangea macrophylla) offers a more refined alternative to the popular 'Endless Summer', with a more manageable size and reliable blooming habit.
Roses With Everything
The Reminiscent Series roses are answering the prayers of gardeners who love the disease resistance of Knock Out roses but miss the romance of traditional varieties. These shrub roses combine the best of both worlds – the easy care we've come to expect from modern roses with the full, lush blooms and intoxicating fragrance of heritage varieties.
A Show-Stopping Hibiscus
The “Cookies and Cream” Summerific Rose mallow is breaking the mold of traditional hardy hibiscus. While many varieties feature pink centers or bright magenta blooms, this stunning cultivar offers pure white flowers that pop dramatically against its dark foliage. It's a refreshing departure from the typical hardy hibiscus palette, proving that sometimes what's missing from a design is just as important as what's included. The absence of the pink center creates a clean, modern look that works beautifully in contemporary gardens.
A Better Butterfly Bush
The new Dapper series of Buddleia is solving a persistent design challenge in compact butterfly bushes. While the Pugster series broke ground with its dwarf habit, the Dapper series refines the formula with more elegantly proportioned blooms. These slender, graceful flower spikes complement the plant's compact size without the chunky appearance of earlier varieties. It's a perfect example of how small improvements in plant breeding can make a big difference in garden design, offering the pollinator-friendly benefits of butterfly bush in a more sophisticated package.
Conclusion
These new varieties aren't just different for the sake of being different – they're thoughtful improvements that solve common garden challenges while adding beauty to our landscapes. Whether you're dealing with space constraints, seeking longer seasons of interest, or just ready to try something new, these plants are worth considering for your garden this year.
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