Here is a quick look at some of the great plants you’ll find in our Perennial Department this year.
Interesting times for Heleniums are long overdue, and in addition to the 2005 introduction ‘Chelsey’ by Nic Geerlings, with its thick stems and robust bi-colored flowers, 2006 sees two more introductions worth shouting about. ‘Double Trouble’ is the first ever double, with layers of bright yellow petals, forming large, showy, disc-shaped flowers that just keep on coming. In total contrast, ‘Ruby Tuesday’ has the most delightful little ruby-red flowers that appear in abundance on plants which grow to just about 2’ high.
Helenium ‘Chelsey’
Bi-colored flowers, mostly crimson with bright yellow flecks. The amount of yellow varies from flower according to sunlight exposure. Flowers are large, robust and disc-shaped with over lapping non-dropping petals. Plants are more compact and have very thick stems.
Full sun Zone 4
Helenium ‘Double trouble’
The first ever double-flowered Helenium. Double sunny-yellow flowers on very strong stems. Plants are compact, produce lots and lots of flowers and continues to bloom for a long time.
Full Sun Zone 4
Helenium ‘Ruby Tuesday’
Too cute for words-only20” with small deepest-red flowers appear in masses on exceptionally compact plants. Introduced by Peter Damen.
Full Sun Zone 4 Moist soil. Great for containers.
A few mores great choices include:
Echinacea Purpuria ‘Razzmatazz’
From Hollands’ Jan van Winsen comes this stunning Echinacea Purpura seedling that appeared in his fields in 1997. This unique double pom-pom flower atop 30” stems, stops people in their tracks. When it was first released it was the most asked for new plant we ever had.
Sun Zone 3-8
Echinacea ‘Sunset’
This new cone flower from Richard Sauil of Itsauil Plants combines the best of Echinacea purpura and Echinacea paradoxia into a selection that is topped, starting in June, with large, 4 1/2-5” wide, fragrant blooms on 30” stems. A prolific flower display-thanks to an abundance of side-flower buds. Full Sun Zone 4-8
Selaginella uncinata (Peacock Moss)
Peacock moss (a prehistoric fern relative) is a fabulous groundcover for the woodland garden. Low spreading habit and the metallic aquamarine foliage are sure to stop you in your tracks. Color is best in late Spring. Light Shade-Shade Ht. 6” Zone 6-10
