A Few of My Favorite Things

Southeastern gardeners are lucky--we get a head start in our gardens every spring. Mid-March and April are when the garden centers really get hopping, and new deliveries of plants arrive almost daily. Swarms of shoppers flit from plant to plant, gathering their favorite blossoms, dizzy from the rush of spring. I confess that I know the delivery schedules of my local garden centers, and lunch hours (and lunch money!) are usually spent treasure-hunting and taking advantage of fresh-from-the-nursery stock. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to find several Wine & Roses^® Weigela. They were in my wagon before the price tags were even placed on the pots. With its deep pinot-colored leaves and vibrant pink blossoms, this beautiful award winner is sure to be both a showstopper and an anchor in my new island bed.  A flat of ColorBlaze^® Alligator Tears^™ Coleus made its way into my wagon, too. It will beautifully complement my Sunsatia^® Lemon Nemesia. With its profusion of sunny blooms, it is another new favorite in the garden.

Gardeners are collectors, and there is nothing more exciting than bringing new cultivars home to a freshly made bed, tucking them in and checking them daily.  Although it is challenging to pick a favorite, I am especially delighted with the 2012 introduction of the stunning Summerific^™ ‘Summer Storm’ Hibiscus.  This perennial hibiscus is laden with large, showy pink flowers that have deeper pink throats and burgundy leaves. Easy-to-care for, it is hardy to zone 4, so almost every garden can have a touch of tropical romance and drama. I cannot wait to see it blooming in my yard, and I will spend this morning deciding exactly where to tuck it in.

Enjoy your garden treasure hunts this spring. For inspiration, the Proven Winners website has 15 pages of new introductions that are sure to perform well and look beautiful in your garden. What are you longing to bring home?

^© Proven Winners, LLC