Blushing Princess built for drought
Distinctive lavender flower can survive the most torrid summer
Three years ago Snow Princess lobularia shocked the gardening world with a dazzling performance through the long hot summer. It became a plant that left many horticulturists scratching their heads in disbelief. Now, after more than 130 awards, Snow Princess appears to be blushing with that success.
In trials across the country, Blushing Princess is showing off with distinctive blushes of lavender, offering gardeners even more options — whether in the landscape or in containers with petunias and verbenas.
The success of Snow Princess has not just led to the Proven Winners release of Blushing Princess. Other companies are now introducing their own selections, many of which look impressive. Danzinger, a leading company from Israel, is introducing three new selections, White Stream, Summer Stream with hints of golden yellow and Lavender Stream.
If you are not familiar with these plants, they are like having a sweet alyssum that blooms all summer. The industry has chosen to refer to them as lobularia, which is probably good to help delineate these rugged performers from the ones we use as pansy partners.
In 2009 when Snow Princess made its debut, everyone was skeptical that a lobularia could indeed survive a torrid summer. I was with Mississippi State University and we planted ours in raised beds that were rich and fertile and watered with a drip-type system.
The beds were out in full sun with absolutely zero shade. To make matters even more challenging, the beds were surrounded with rocks, which no doubt gave off even more heat during the day and into the night. They established quickly, filling out their allotted space and creating a blanket of snowflakes all summer.
Whether you choose Snow Princess, Blushing Princess or one of the Stream series, know that these new lobularia like plenty of light and fertile, well-drained soil. They will let you when moisture is needed and usually respond quickly.
With new plants like these lobularia showing up every year, there has never been a better time to be a gardener.