Every year in our test garden we get to sample new works introductions straight from the plant life breeders . It ’s like Christmas — take out the box to see the treasures inside . And just like brand - new toys , some plants get dress aside to be rediscover after and construe with fresh eyes . After growing these lulu for several season , we wish them more and more and desire you to get it on about them .
Keep clicking to look at a few of our found - again favorites for the garden .
‘ Sweet Summer Love ’ clematis ( Clematishybrid )
If you thought purple clematis were ho - hum , you have n’t see ‘ Sweet Summer Love ’ . tincture with a little cranberry - red , this violet flower ’s almost two - flavor colouration will catch your eye . It ’s loaded with bloom from midsummer to former fall so plant it where you ’ll be able-bodied to bask the cerise - vanillalike redolence . Give it plenty of room to spread and mulch the dirt to keep roots cool in the heat of summer . It ’s in pruning group 3 so cut vine back to about 12 in . from the land in spring and it will blossom on young outgrowth .
TypePerennialBloomsCranberry - purple flowers from midsummer to early fallLightFull sunlight to part shadeSoilMoist , well - drainedSize8 to 15 ft . tall , spreadingCold - hardyUSDA zones 4 to 9Heat - tolerantAHS geographical zone 9 to 1IntroducerSpring Meadow Nursery , 2014SourceBluestone perennial
Opal Innocence ® nemesia ( Nemesia fruticans )
Just like the treasure in its name , Opal Innocence nemesia has an opalescent quality to its hard - to - pinpoint color . Each bloom has a mix of rosy pink , white and lavender with a speck of yellow that works in any combination of bright or pastel colors . develop it as an annual and give this fragrant coolheaded - weather - lover a bit of shade . Trim the flower back if they depart to reckon ratty in the heat of summer . They ’ll be refreshed by cooler weather in the fall .
TypeTender perennialBloomsRosy - pink , white , and lavender peak in bounce to frostLightFull sunshine to part shadeSoilMoist , well - drainedSize10 to 16 in . improbable , 8 to 10 in . wideCold - hardyUSDA zone 9 to 10Heat - tolerantAHS zone 12 to 1IntroducerProven succeeder ® , 2006SourceLocal garden centers
‘ Cheyenne Sky ’ switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum )
The short sibling in the switchgrass family , this cultivar spring a great ball about 2 foot . tall before derive a base of height with over-embellished panicles in late summer to fall . You ’ll want to check as the leaf transforms from risque - greens to wine - redness over the course of the surrender season , set out with the leaf blade wind . It ’s a standout performer in containers , alone or in combination with other dusk bloomers . Though this warm - time of year grass is a bit slow to begin in spring until the ground temps fire up up , it ca n’t be easier to care for — just fleece it off at the background in early spring .
TypePerennialBloomsPurple panicles in late summer to fallLightFull sunSoilWell - drainedSize30 to 36 in . tall with panicle , 15 to 18 in . wideCold - hardyUSDA zone 4 to 9Heat - tolerantAHS zones 9 to 1IntroducerProven Winners ® , 2009SourceBluestone Perennials
