The BEST New Plants for 2009 !

Thousands of new plants are introduced every year. Some take years to start showing up in local nurseries and others disappear before we have a chance to think about planting them. However, they're so tempting no matter how little space we have left in our gardens we always seem to make room to try one or two.

The plants showcased here will be available at Plants Unlimited in 2009. Some have been on the market a year or so and have proven themselves. The others have been widely tested before being considered for distribution this year. Even so, plants don't always behave the way they're labeled once you invite them into your garden. Experiment and see which new plants will become new favorites.

All American Selections

Viola F1 ‘Rain Blue and Purple’AAS® Cool Season Bedding Plant

Award Winner• Cold and heat tolerant resulting in

flowers throughout spring and summer.

• Flowers change color from purple and white to purple and blue as they mature. Few flowers change colors naturally!

• The plants spread 10 to 14 inches in the garden or container. The trailing habit is perfectly designed for hanging baskets or patio urns.

• Bred by Tokita Seed Co. Ltd., Saitama, Japan.

All American Selections

Eggplant F1 ‘Gretel’AAS® Vegetable Award Winner• The earliest white eggplant!• The glossy white mini-fruit are

produced in clusters and can be harvested in 55 days.

• The pure white fruit are sweet with tender skin even if they mature beyond the ideal fruit size of 3 to 4 inches. This trait means gardeners have a longer timeline to harvest fruit.

• Grows 3 feet wide and tall. Since the plant is small it is adaptable to the popular trend of growing edibles in containers. Use a rather large container about 16 inches deep.

• Bred by Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Oxnard, CA.

All American Selections

Melon F1 ‘Lambkin’AAS® Vegetable Award Winner

• Flavor is the reason to invest your time to grow ‘Lambkin’ in your garden. The oval shaped melon weighs between 2 and 4 pounds with a thin rind surrounding sweet, aromatic, white, juicy flesh.

• Earliness. Most other gourmet melons of this type mature much later than the 65 to 75 days of ‘Lambkin.’

• ‘Lambkin’ can be stored longer than other melons. They should be stored in a cool place such as a refrigerator

• ‘Lambkin’ was bred by Known-You Seed Co. Ltd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

All American Selections

Squash F1 ‘Honey Bear’

AAS® Vegetable Award Winner• ‘Honey Bear’ acorn squash was bred to be

baked and served in the half shell. The honey in ‘Honey Bear’ refers to the sweet squash flavor when cooked.

• The bushy, compact plant will reach 2 to 3 feet tall and spread 4 to 5 feet without vines.

• The plant produces 3 to 5 fruit per bush each weighing about a pound – perfect for two people.

• Powdery mildew tolerance! At the end of the season many acorn squash plants succumb to the mildew and fruit on the plant never matures.

• First squash will be about 100 days.

• Bred at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH. 

All American Rose Selection

Carefree Spirit• Recognizing that consumers want

roses that are easy to care for, in 2004, AARS stopped spraying fungicides on all shrub roses in its nationwide test gardens. Carefree Spirit is the first and only landscape shrub to date to endure this real-world testing and prevail as a Winner.

• A mounding rose with petals that are beautifully set amongst abundant glossy, dark green foliage.

• Hybridized by Jacques Mouchotte, director of research at Meilland International and introduced by Conard-Pyle Co. of West Grove, Penn.

All American Rose Selection

Cinco de Mayo • Endless bounty of multi-colored

clusters sitting among clean, glossy green foliage and dark red new growth.

• The flowers, which hold well and are fast to repeat, radiate the smell of fresh-cut golden apples.

• This floribunda has fantastic disease resistance.

• Ideal for use in a border with mixed perennials.

• Hybridized by Tom Carruth and is introduced by Weeks Roses of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. 

New Annuals - 2009Ptilotus exaltatus, which means

“tall feathers” aka “JOEY”• Joey is a hot new plant from Australia. • Decidedly different because its flowers

have an iridescent sheen of neon pink and silver.

• The silver-green to blue-green color is almost as unique as the blooms.

• A real landscape asset. Tough in the face of summer heat and drought tolerant.

• Joey will reach 16 to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide

• Gardeners are already raving about its use as a cut flower in mixed floral arrangements. Get it backlit by the sun for an extra special “wow” factor.

• Containers or bedding plant.

New Annuals - 2009

The Begonia Bellagio series• Large, showy salmon colored

double flowers that create a gorgeous floral display. A trailing habit that looks stunning in a hanging basket, window box or in a container planter.

• Bellagio Begonias stand apart as a double-flowering plant that has more vigor, better full sun performance, and greater disease resistance than other double flowering varieties.

• Available in several colors.

New Annuals - 2009

The Begonia Mandalay series

• Begonia Mandalay™ produces single flowers (they look like hoop-skirted belles of the ball) and their bright colors and hanging nature are enchanting.

• The Mandalays will thrive in bright sunlight setting them apart from most Begonias.

• Available in several colors.

New Annuals -2009

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Stars and Stripes

• The scarlet flowers are split with a star shaped, distinct white stripe going completely through the center of each of the five petals.

• Features a compact growth habit, medium sized flowers, good branching, glossy foliage AND it's a natural climber.

• Ideal usage as a patio plant, hanging basket, balcony and bedding plant.

• Voted Favorite New Flowering Plant at TPIE 2009.

New Annuals - 2009

The Dahlinova Hypnotica series

• A  series of potted Dahlias, characterized by their radiant colors, large flowers and vigorous growth.

• They flower abundantly and consistently during summer. The flowers are large with shorter stems that do not stretch too far above the foliage.

Begonias - 2009

New Annuals - 2009

Agastache 'Summer Fiesta' • Outstanding dense, spicy

orange red spikes that are weather proof and heat proof. One of the best attributes of this Agastache is an unfading calyx that clasps the flower. The calyx does not brown like other Agastache, giving it a much longer lasting spike. Even without a single flower on the spike, it still appears to be in bloom! All Agastache need good drainage.

New Perennials - 2009

Echinacea purpurea 'Tomato Soup' & 'Mac 'n Cheese'

• Do we need another coneflower? Why not? The new hot colors they keep coming up with are downright fun.

• These newer varieties of coneflower can be very expensive because they're all patented. So when we buy one we tend to love it to death. Remember, these are still prairie flowers and they don't like to be fussed over. It may take a season for them to become acclimated to your garden but give them time.

• Height: 26-28" • Spread: 24" • Zones 4-9

New Perennials - 2009

Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' • Darkest orange

coneflower to date with massive 4 ½" flowers. Retains intense color for weeks rather than days. Spicy-scented blooms sit atop strong upright 36" stems. Use for the border and as cut flowers. Easy to grow!

• 36” tall x 24” wide• Zone 4

New Perennials - 2009

Buddleia Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip’

• It has all the charm of a full size Buddleia but compact enough to plant in a pot on your patio. 20” mounding habit.

• It’s deer resistant, drought tolerance and the only maintenance, besides watering, is removing the spent flowers to encourage more.

• Lo & Behold is intended to become a series, so there should be more colors introduced in the near future.

• Native to Western China and root hardy to zone 5, Buddleia is considered a dieback shrub in Maine.

New Perennials - 2009

Coreopsis 'Red Shift' • Comes after eight years of

hybridizing many species. Large 2“ yellow flowers boast an interesting red eye-zone and, in cooler weather, the red colour "runs" to cover most and sometimes all of the petals. Plants reach 30-36" in height and bloom from mid-summer through fall. It has overwintered in zone 5.

New Shrubs - 2009

Hydrangea Twist-n-Shout • An absolutely extraordinary

reblooming lacecap hydrangea from the creators of the bestselling Endless Summer®.

• Available in limited quantities exclusively to independent garden centers in North America.

• Season-long blooms, vivid color, sturdy red stems and deep green foliage.

• Zone 4 hardiness.• Partial Shade.• Pink blooms in alkaline soil;

blue blooms in acidic soil. • 3-5' tall x 3-5’ wide.

Hydrangea Twist n’ Shout

New Shrubs - 2009

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Incrediball’

• A new and improved 'Annabelle' Hydrangea, Incrediball has beefy stems and massive blooms. The breeding goal was stronger stems to eliminate flop but we got incredibly large blooms too! Each bloom has roughly 4 times as many flowers as 'Annabelle‘.

• 4-5 feet tall • Zone 4

New Shrubs - 2009

Hibiscus Blue Chiffon• The Chiffon series just got

more exciting with the addition of this selection with rich blue flowers. It has the same great Chiffon growth and lacy blooms.

• Large, single blue flowers adorned with a lacy center to create an anemone-like bloom. Bold yet delicate Blue Chiffon is a star in the garden from July through September.

• This is the strongest growing blue cultivar. Each stem is packed with numerous buds giving it superb flower power.

New Shrubs - 2009

Hibiscus ‘Lil’ Kim’• Say hello to the only miniature

Rose of Sharon. A unique little shrub with dainty little white flowers punctuated with a showy red eye. The plant appears to be polyploidy because it has thick, dark green leaves and the flowers last for three days instead of the typical one day before falling. Great for mixed containers, mixed perennial beds or for around decks. Developed by noted plantsman Dr. Shim of South Korea.

New Shrubs - 2009

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Center Glow'

• An easy growing shrub with pretty white, spring flowers.

• 'Center Glow' is an apt name to describe the bright gold in the center of the opening burgundy leaves.

• Plant in full sun, for the most brilliant color.

• Height: 8-10' • Spread: 8-10' • Zones: 3-7 • Developed by Dr. Harold Pellet

and the University of Minnesota.

New Shrubs - 2009

Diervilla sessilifolia variegata ‘Cool Splash’

• The first variegated form of this unique Genus.

• Diervilla ‘Cool Splash’ is well suited for mass plantings and produces a spectacular effect in the woodland setting.

• This densely branched deciduous shrub forms underground suckers developing colonies over time and is tolerant of inhospitable soil types.

• 3-4’ tall x 3-4’ wide• Zone 4

New Shrubs - 2009Spiraea x vanhoutii ‘Levgold’

Firegold• Firegold stands out because of its

brilliant lemon-lime foliage. New growth is soft yellow changing to lemon, and finally to lime-green.

• The color is stable and at its most brilliant in full sun.

• Yellow-orange fall color extends the season of interest.

• White flowers.• height: 4’-6’; spread: 5’-7’• zone: 4-8• Discovered by Denis Levac of

Quebec, Canada and introduced by Bailey Nurseries, Inc. of St. Paul, Minnesota.

New Shrubs - 2009

Rosa 'BAIore’ Polar Joy• Finally, a hardy tree rose

developed especially for the northern garden.

• Excellent disease resistance. Own root.

• May be used in decorative containers to accent a patio or deck. Ideal where space is limited.

• full sun• height: 4’-6’ • zone: 4-7• Hybridized by Ping Lim, three-time

AARS winner, and Rose Research Director for Bailey Nurseries.

New Vines - 2009Celastrus scandens 'Bailumn'

(PPAF)• A revolutionary break through in

bittersweet culture. • The majority of the flowers formed on

Autumn Revolution™ are perfect, meaning that the flower itself has both male and female parts. In other words, you only need one plant to bear fruit.

• The fruit production is absolutely extraordinary and the berry size is twice that of the species.

• Discovered by Rod Bailey and introduced by Bailey Nurseries, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota

• Full sun• Zone: 2-8• AMERICAN BITTERSWEET – NOT

INVASIVE.

2010Hydrangea INVINCIBELLE™

‘Spirit’ • Is the first ever pink flowered, mop-

head form of Hydrangea arborescens. Unlike other selections it continues to produce new flowers right up until frost. It is very hardy and easy to grow. Unlike many Hydrangeas the flower buds are produced on new wood. So it will still produce flowers even if the stems die back to the ground by extreme weather.

• It is useful as a specimen, mass planting or incorporated perennial gardens or into a woodland setting. The blooms are extremely attractive both in the landscape and as a cut flower. It is a durable choice for both fresh and dried arrangements.

2010

Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’• A breakthrough in

Echinacea breeding, the first double orange selection.

• Maturing at 30” in height, Hot Papaya is perfect for mixed borders and makes a lovely statement when placed in the mid border.

• Full sun. • 5 – 9