As spring creeps in here in the Pacific Northwest and hits other parts of the country with a bang, it’s time to think perennials. What will you plant in your garden this year to delight you for years to come? These top five perennials are forever favorites that come in new colors and sizes for 2012!
1. Hibiscus: The new “My Valentine” variety has less of a tendency to spread, so you can enjoy the lush hibiscus blooms without stressing over its tendency to take over your garden! The Berrylicious hibiscus is a new color variation that features a pink outside and a deep pink center.
2. Echinacea: These coneflowers are popular for medicinal purposes, and they’re also popular for their stunning colors. The Sombrero series of coneflowers features strong colors, while the Warm Summer series features colors that look like a summer sunrise. The Double Scoop Orangeberry is just wild-looking, with a giant center that makes it look quite unlike any other coneflower!
3. Clematis: I love this idea! The Bijou clematis is a patio clematis. While the traditional clematis loves to climb, this one only grows to just over a foot high. Could you use clematis as a garden edge plant? You could use this one!
4. Peony: The Itoh hybrid peony is now becoming more widely available, and it is beautiful. Its orange-cream colors are streaked with fuschia. So lovely!
5. Hellebores: These winter-loving flowers are often the first to bloom in the spring. While hellebores are traditionally green, white, and brown, there are some lovely new shades. Helleborus ‘Cinnamon Snow’ is a clean white with hints of pink. Helleborus ‘Midnight Ruffles’takes the brown hellebore to a new level with its deep, rich coffee tones.
Have you been experimenting with new colors and varieties of flowers? What new delights are you planting in the garden this year?
Image Credit: MojtabaT