Great Perennials for 2006 (and other years too!!)
Every year 100s if not thousands of new perennials are introduced to us gardeners.  Some are great, others are not so hot.  I test many new varieties in the garden and also listen closely to feedback from fellow gardeners. From this information I have compiled the following list of ten great plants for 2006.

1.  Geranium ‘Roxanne’ has been around for about 3 years. It has a better upright form than ‘Johnson’s Blue’ and also produces larger blue flowers virtually all summer.  I love how it weaves and jumps through other  perennials.  Try it with a long flowering daisy like Anthemis ‘Sauce Hollandaise’ or Anthemis ‘Susanna Mitchell’.

2.  Nepeta ‘Pink Delight’ is a very recent introduction with tall spikes bearing large, claw-like, deep pink blooms.  It will bloom all summer.  Just cut it back if it starts to slow down.  Definitely a ‘delight’!   A good companion is Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’.  This former Perennial Plant of the Year blooms non-stop from from late May until hard frost.  If you are looking for a long flowering pastel combination for the front of the border this is it!

3.  Echinacea ‘Twilight’ There is no doubt that this will be the blockbuster plant for 2006.  The closest to red, coneflower currently available.  (Please Feature Plant for more on Echinacea.) 

4. Monarda ‘Dark Ponticum’ Wondering what to plant with the ‘Twilight’ and the other new Echinacea.  ‘Dark Ponticum’ is the perfect companion.  It was developed by perennial guru Piet Oudolf and has deep purple blooms and excellent mildew resistance.  I love it! 

5.  Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ This tall perennial with lemon yellow blooms is a great companion for Monarda ‘Dark Ponticum’.  It has a long bloom time from July well into the fall.  Mine was still blooming in October.  I particularly like this variety because the blooms are a softer colour of yellow.  Not at all brassy.  It is also wonderful with tall ornamental grasses like Miscanthus ‘Strictus’.

6.  Phlox paniculata ‘Starfire’  This summer phlox has been around for decades however it still remains one of our most popular plants.  The brilliant, cherry-red colour of its blooms is amazing.  As soon as it is blooming in my garden everyone wants it.  ‘Starfire’ is usually the latest summer phlox with blooms persisting well into September.   Although an older variety it is quite mildew resistant.

7.  Calamagrostis ‘Avalanche’ is a form of Feather Reed Grass.  It was introduced a couple of years ago and is actually an improvement over ‘Karl Foerster’.  ‘Avalanche’ is a bit taller, a bit more upright and has lovely green and white variegated foliage.   It produces large, airy plumes of smokey purple florets in early summer which eventually form attractive wheat-coloured seedheads.  Like all Feather Reed Grass, ‘Avalanche’ is always in motion – undulating, swaying, dancing with the wind.  A beautiful kinetic sculpture for the garden.  You can use it as an accent in the border or mass plant.

8.  New Millennium Delphinium These new tall Delphinium have proved to be hardier, sturdier and much more disease resistant than the old Pacific Giants.   Try one of the wonderful new colours such as: ‘Green Twist’, ‘Purple Pagans’, or ‘Blushing Brides’.  (Please see Vol.1 issue of the Newsletter for more information.)

9.  Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ This is my favourite Heuchera with gorgeous deep chocolate purple foliage.  It is such a great companion plant for some many other varieties.  Following are but a few examples of how you can use this plant to create fabulous combinations;
 Try it with a golden foliage plant like Heucherella ‘Stoplight’ or  Tradescantia ‘Sweet Kate’.
The dark foliage is invaluable for breaking up all that green.  Use ‘Obsidian’ with smaller hosta and ferns near the front of your garden.  ‘Obsidian’ and a Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’) make a dynamite pair.
For contrast combine it with a pink flowering plant like Nepeta ‘Pink Delight’.
It is also lovely with ornamental grasses.  I have planted some with the sedge Carex ‘Evergold’.  It looks great.  Experiment.  Try some of your own combinations.

10.  Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ In my opinion this is one of the best perennial introductions in the last 10 years.  ‘Jack Frost’ is a gorgeous foliage plant for part to full shade -- best kept out of the hot afternoon sun.  It is a clump forming perennial with heart-shaped leaves overlaid with silver and sprays of blue forget-me-not blooms in the spring.  I grow mine with ferns and dark leafed Heuchera.