Variety Notebook

Try Basil

New Try Basil offers three varieties of basil in one pot. Grown from one multi-seed, multi-species pellet, Try Basil is easy and economical. This multi-species, multi-pellet technology offers a balanced blend of three basil flavors: Genovese, serrated and dark red. Great for adding zest to kitchen herb gardens, and beautiful to grow. Available exclusively through the Burpee Home Gardens program of branded vegetables and flowers.

For more: www.burpeehomegardens.com

Diascia Little series

With their masses of bright sherbet-toned flowers and dense, spherical habit, the Penhow Diascia Little series took the Chelsea flower show by storm. Available from Plant Haven International, all four varieties are stems sports, so they are perfectly matched in habit and finishing time. Because the Littles keep their beautiful form throughout the season, without bird’s nesting, they make stunning multi-colored baskets, mixed combo plantings, and garden border additions.

For more: www.planthaven.com

Helenium Mariachi series

The Mariachi series of Helenium autumnale is available through Plants Nouveau. The series is mildew-resistant, doesn’t flop and is easily scheduled for summer or early fall blooms. Bred by Arie Blom of AB-Cultivars in The Netherlands, these new compact, bushy sneezeweed selections are sure to brighten any summer garden. This series offers brilliant tomato red, fiery orange, glowing gold and sunshine yellow. These plants come from the lab POTY virus free, so please replace your stock each year. New for 2014 are: ‘Salsa’ - spicy red flowers with a hint of orange; ‘Fuego’ - like wheels of spinning fire - orange flowers with a bright gold halo; ‘Siesta’ - a deep true red with ruffled edges

For more: www.plantsnouveau.com

Insider Info: Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a natural rabbit repellent.