Returning Blooms

Echinacea ‘Butterfly Kisses’
Angela Treadwell-Palmer of Plants Nouveau says that compact plants are all the rage, thanks to downsizing and those living in urban areas — particularly young people — where they may have little or no garden. The good news is growers also benefit from the trend, as those who are shipping can squeeze more plants on the racks. Butterfly Kisses from Plants Nouveau is one of those perennials that falls in the compact plant category. From Arie Bloom of AB-Cultivars in The Netherlands, this floriferous Echinacea blooms lime green centers that fade to deep pink, then to a golden yellow as summer continues. Growing no more than 15 inches tall and 18 inches wide, it needs full sun and will bloom from June to September.

For more: Plants Nouveau,www.plantsnouveau.com

Helenium autumnalis Mariachi ‘Salsa’
Salsa is another compact perennial from Arie Blom and can give consumers a mix-up from the orange and yellow palette often seen in the summer. Salsa blooms bright red flowers with dark chocolate-colored button centers. Blooming from June to September, it grows between 18 and 20 inches in height, 20 to 24 inches in width, needs full sun and is hardy to Zones 3 to 9. Its flowers also appear to match Poppy Red, one of the 10 colors listed on Pantone’s spring 2013 fashion color report.

For more: Plants Nouveau, www.plantsnouveau.com

Rudbeckia Little Goldstar
Featured on Perennial.com’s Top 10 New for 2012 list, John Schroeder of Valleybrook Gardens says Little Goldstar from Jelitto is an improvement over Goldsturm. Keeping in with the trend, Little Goldstar is a more compact, proportional plant, with its green foliage and dome of golden yellow blossoms growing knee high. Unlike Goldstrum, it’s also produced by tissue culture, resulting in more uniformed plants. It blooms from midsummer through early fall, and according to Walters Gardens, it coordinates well with fall potted mums and asters.

For more: Jelitto Perennial Seeds, www.jelitto.com

Iberis Masterpiece
This white candytuft is featured on Perennials.com’s Top 10 New for 2012 list, compiled by John Schroeder, co-owner of Valleybrook Gardens. Schroeder says that Iberis Masterpiece blooms from spring through fall, and produces large, flat clusters of pure white flowers with a light pink center. It attracts butterflies and is resistant to deer. It also is drought-tolerant, something consumers may be looking for in the future after experiencing this past summer. Masterpiece has a hardiness of Zone 8, and it grows to 10 inches in height and 16 inches in width.

For more: Pacific Plug & Liner, www.ppandl.net

Salvia Merleau
It’s no secret that in this day and age people want fast and easy. And gardening is no exception. HGTV listed salvia as one of its “Top 10 Easiest Perennials,” due to its long-blooming period and tolerance to drought. The Merleau series from Syngenta Flowers comes in blue, rose and white. It’s also first-year flowering, compact, well-branched and early to flower for reduced crop times.

For more: Syngenta Flowers, www.syngentaflowersinc.com

Gaura Rosy Jane
First-year bloomer, gardeners will be pleased that this delicate-looking plant is deeply rooted, drought-tolerant, and can outdo nearby weeds. It is also versatile in what types of soil it can grow in (bit.ly/Q00ArR). Rosy Jane blooms white flowers with pink edges from June to late September. Suitable for full sun or semi-shade, it grows up to 30 inches and can be used for borders or patios.

For more: Rijnbeek and Son, www.rijnbeek.com

Penstemon Taffy
Birds & Blooms named penstemon one of the top 10 drought-tolerant plants. Combine that with attracting hummingbirds, resisting deer and low-maintenance needs, and it’s easy to see why it would be a popular perennial for the home gardener. Four colors come from Terra Nova Nurseries’ Taffy series, including its latest introduction, Watermelon. Taffy has a fast finish, a flower height of 28 inches, and blooms from June to October. It’s ideal for mixed beds, sun gardens, banks, and even as a cut flower.

For more: Terra Nova Nurseries, www.terranovanurseries.com

Helleborus Merlin
As fall changes to winter, the temperature drops, the days grow shorter, and for some the outdoors can be a dark and dreary place. But a hellebore can bring some life to the garden. Merlin blooms light pink flowers that eventually deepen to ebony purple from late winter to spring. It’ll spruce up a shady area, as it needs partial to full shade. It also has deep green foliage, tolerates inclement weather, and is also resistant to deer and diseases.

For more: Skagit Gardens, www.skagitgardens.com

Lavender Phenomenal
For the grower who is looking to offer a perennial that’s both edible and ornamental, lavender is a good pick. Phenomenal — developed and introduced by Peace Tree Farm this year — has shown tolerance to extreme heat and humidity, and is also resistant to common root and foliar diseases. Deer-, rabbit-, and squirrel-resistant, Phenomenal has a uniform, mounding habit, and grows between 24 and 32 inches in height and spread. Hardy to Zones 4 to 8, it can be used fresh and dried arrangements, or oil or culinary purposes.

For more: Peace Tree Farm, www.peacetreefarm.com

Coreopsis Moonbeam
Better Homes and Gardens listed it as one of its favorite, long-blooming perennials. Winner of Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s “Best Perennial of the Year” for 2005, this North American native is heat- and drought-tolerant, and attractive to butterflies. With dainty yellow flowers, it grows 15 to 18 inches tall, has a mounding habit and can be used as a filler for containers.

For more: Walters Gardens, www.waltersgardens.com

Coreopsis Moonbeam photo courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.