Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Ringing in the new
I just took a look at the 2017 AllAmerica Selections (AAS) flower winners and they’re beautiful. No surprise here; I’m always impressed with the new varieties. But there’s something about the flower colors this year that really caught my attention — a medley of gorgeous purples and pinks, and two striking reds. Dianthus Interspecific “Supra
Purple” (F1) is a “sister” to the “Supra Pink” 2006 AAS winner. Its frilly, mottled-pink petals belie its hardiness. This Zone 4 to 5 plant not only tolerates cold, frost, and wind, but also heat and drought. With a compact, bushy habit, and growing to a height of just 10 to 12 inches, this little beauty is suited to both garden beds and containers. It thrives in partial to full sun and is attractive to bees and butterflies, producing prolific blooms from spring until the first frost.
Penstemon barbatus “Twizzle Purple” (F1) presents a new and unique color in penstemons. Twizzle Purple was judged as a first-year flowering perennial by judges who were impressed with the upright plant habit and superb flowering performance. This North American native blooms profusely with 1-inch tubular flowers on long slender stalks that grow up to 35 inches high. A magnet for pollinators from midto late summer. Can be used to add height to combination planters or in garden beds for high-impact color. Hardy to Zone 5. Needs full to partial sun. Does not require staking.
Verbena EnduraScape™ Pink
Bicolor is described as “tough as nails” because it is the first verbena that can tolerate drought and heat plus survive temperatures down to the low teens. Growing to a height of 8 to 12 inches and with a spreading habit, this verbena is spectacular in the landscape, edging a walk or border, or in large containers and baskets. Flowers from spring to frost with abundant soft pink blossoms that darken in intensity toward the center of the bloom. Best in full sun. No deadheading required.
Vinca MegaBloom “Orchid Halo”
and “Pink Halo” (F1) — Mega Bloom is an exciting new series of vinca bred to withstand heat and humidity without succumbing to disease. Orchid Halo produces huge, bright, rich purple blossoms with a wide white eye, and Pink Halo produces huge, soft-pink blossoms with a wide white eye, creating a striking look
for the garden, even from a distance. Plants maintain a nice, dense habit with flowers staying on top of the foliage for full “flowerpower” color. Both grow to 13 to 15 inches, and are perfect in containers as well as garden beds. Heat-tolerant, these annuals do best in full sun. No deadheading or staking required. Pollinator-friendly. Geranium Calliope Medium Dark Red — With an outstanding, deep velvety red flower color, Calliope® is a beauty! The 12to 14-inch plants have a mounded, semi-spreading growth habit with strong stems supporting flower heads loaded with blossoms that attract pollinators. Great in containers and combination plantings as well as in-ground, blooming from early spring to frost. Drought and heat tolerant. Plant in full sun. Grow as an annual. Deadheading recommended.
Zinnia Profusion Red — Judges raved about the vibrant, perfectly true red color of this zinnia that doesn’t fade in summer’s
intense rays. The compact (8 to 14 inches) form, disease resistance, early and continuous blooms, and ease in growing also impressed the judges. Grow in full to partial sun, in containers or in-ground. Pollinator-friendly. No deadheading required.
If you haven’t tried any AAS plants before, maybe this is the year to make a resolution to add one or two of these new varieties to your planning list.
Note: Both the Penstemon and the Verbena were described as being “tolerant to rain.” I confess I’m a little stumped by this. Isn’t rain required for plants to grow?
Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener who lives in Kimberton. Direct e-mail to pcbaxter@verizon.net, or send mail to P.O. Box 80, Kimberton, PA 19442. Join the conversation at “Chester County Roots,” a Facebook page for gardeners in the Delaware Valley. Go to Facebook, search for Chester County Roots, and “like” the page. To receive notice of updates, click or hover on “Liked” to set your preferences.