There's a New Señorita in Town

Only a few seasons ago I fell in love with beautiful Senorita Rosalita^® Cleome. How could I not? I’d always enjoyed standard Cleome blooms and grew the flowers from seed, but by mid-summer I was frustrated with three things: sticky leaves, seeds that slowed down flowers, and thorns. Senorita Rosalita^® had none of these problems, and when she bloomed nonstop all summer, I had to make her mine.

However, this year, her sister rode into town, and my gardens may never be the same. Senorita Blanca^®, due to be released in spring 2013, is already growing in one container and in the new Proven Winners^® bed I created in my front yard. The color is a lighter version of Senorita Rosalita^®, and I mixed her with another newcomer, Superbells^® Lemon Slice, a hearty, yellow and white Calibrachoa blooming its little head off in my containers. Add a couple of Pelargoniums, some silvery plants, a crinum, and . . . Pow! Instant drama.

Even with Senorita Blanca^® growing in sisterly competition, I still hold a special place in my garden for Senorita Rosalita^®. She sings next to purples like Superbells Grape Punch^® Calibrachoa and she is a hot mama jama next to orange and red Luscious^® Citrus Blend^™ Lantana. The fair senorita grows tall in my summer beds and borders, and she produces flowers all summer in a soft purple hue. Now, I get to see what Senorita Blanca^® will do.

Isn’t gardening grand? You get to fall in love again every year. Try either one of these plants, and you’ll swoon too.

 ^© 2012 Proven Winners, LLC.