Trendy New Plants
in 2012

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Fire and Ice’ - This new panicle hydrangea puts on a better show than other varieties from early summer to well into the fall. The large flower heads start out brilliant white, change to pink, and eventually turn a deep red in the fall, unlike previous varieties that fade to a washed out reddish brown. 5-6’ x 4’ (Available summer 2012)

Hydrangea serrata. ‘Tuff Stuff’ - A new Mountain Hydrangea, ‘Tuff Stuff’ really lives up to its name! Its semi-double, creamy centered, pink lacecap blooms appear on both new and old growth making it a reliable bloomer, even after a harsh winter. This true dwarf is also much more compact than all previous varieties of Mountain Hydrangea. The flower color can be changed from pink to blue by applying a soil acidifier, like garden sulfur. 3’x 3’ (Available summer 2012)

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Snow Storm’  - This new mophead hydrangea is earlier to flower than most other hydrangeas and will reliably rebloom until frost, unlike most other white reblooming mopheads that have a weak rebloom. The pure white flowers really stand out against the dark green foliage, and will really brighten up a shady garden bed. 4’ x 4’ (Available summer 2012)

 
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Lemon Candy’ - A new dwarf ninebark that features stunningly bright yellow foliage from spring to fall and white flowers appearing in spring. This diminutive shrub is about two feet shorter and resists greening during the summer better than the old varieties like ‘Dart’s Gold’. 3’x3’ (Available summer 2012)

Lonicera ‘Peaches and Cream’  - This compact, evergreen vine sports huge, tropical looking, fragrant pink and white bicolor florets that makes it a true focal point in the garden. Its small size and compact habit make it a vast improvement over other honeysuckle varieties on the market today. The butterflies and hummingbirds will love visiting this plant, time and time again! 6’ x 3’ (Available summer 2012)

Cornus kousa ‘Lemon Ripple’ - This dwarf Kousa dogwood provides interest all summer long with masses of white flowers in spring, wide chartreuse bordered foliage, and a handsome orange-red fall color. Unlike other dogwoods which are beautiful only in the spring and fall, ‘Lemon Ripple’s variegated foliage gives it great summer interest as well as putting on a stunning show in both spring and fall. Plus, its small size and slow growth rate is ideal for smaller yards and garden beds. 15’x 12’

Viburnum plicatum ‘Kilimanjaro’ - This truly unique viburnum is a narrow upright plant, with white ‘shasta’-like flowers in spring and red fruit persisting into summer. If you love viburnums, but don’t have the space for a full size ‘Shasta’, ‘Kilimanjaro’ is the answer. It also makes a great vertical accent plant! 8’x 2’ (Available summer 2012)

Buddleia ‘Summer Skies’ - A new variegated Butterfly Bush with soft, violet blue flowers and striking yellow, white and green foliage. Unlike some of the older variegated buddleias, ‘Summer Skies’ foliage is scorch resistant in full sun and it is also a very stable variegation with little chance of it reverting to pure green. This plant is also deer resistant. 5’ x 5’

Weigela ‘Spilled Wine’  - This new weigela has dark red, wavy leaves and hot pink-magenta tubular flowers, making it the perfect plant for filling in spaces in a sunny border. It is much shorter than ‘Wine and Roses’, but still tall enough not to get lost in the garden. Hummingbirds and butterflies will be waiting for this gem to start blooming! This plant is also deer resistant. 2’ x 3’

Pieris japonica ‘Katsura’  - This new dwarf pieris is the perfect plant for a shady area. Its bright pink flowers provide lots of early color when few other plants are blooming, and the wine red new growth adds even more color after the blooms have faded giving it more appeal than other pink flowered pieris. It is also an evergreen and deer resistant. 3’x 3’

Cercis ‘Ruby Falls’ - Finally, the red leafed version of the popular weeping redbud, ‘Lavender Twist’ has arrived! This dramatic weeping redbud shares the same glowing pink spring flowers of the native redbuds, but also adds summer long interest and color to the garden with its wine red foliage, making it an excellent choice for small spaces that need some season long color. 10’ x 6’

Thuja plicata ‘Forever Goldie’ - This narrow Western Arbor Vitae has brilliant golden needles, held on reddish brown stems in winter and fall. It also does not shed all at once like other arbor vitae, but gradually replaces its needles over the whole season, eliminating any browning out associated with shedding. This plant is also deer resistant. 20’x 3’

 

Philadelphus ‘Icelandic’ - Everyone loves the intoxicatingly sweet smell of Mockorange flowers in the spring, but after bloom, most just become a mass of green leaves. Not so with ‘Icelandic’! The leaves of this new dwarf introduction are banded with a thick white margin making it stand out all summer long. 5’ x 5’

 

New Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes for 2012:

Apple ‘Wealthy’ - This medium sized apple ripens to pale yellow splashed all over with scarlet when ripe. The flesh is refreshingly crisp and very juicy with a distinctive flavor that carries a hint of ripe strawberries making it perfect for fresh eating, sauces, and baking. This old fashioned, semi dwarf apple blooms profusely over a long period of time, not only putting on a great spring show, but also making it a great pollinator for other varieties of apples.

 
Apple ‘Arkansas Black’ - This beautiful, deep red, late maturing apple tastes even better after a time in storage. They also store amazingly well, allowing you to pick them in October and enjoy delicious apples up to eight months in the crisper. An antique variety, it is best used for fresh eating, sauces, and baking.

 

Fig ‘Chicago Hardy’ - Hardy for northern climates, this fig may die back to the ground but will grow back from the roots in the spring ready to produce loads of sweet purple-brown figs! It is also self-pollinating, so only one plant is needed to provide a good harvest of fruit.

 

Peach ‘Crimson Rocket’ - This colonnade peach grows mainly upwards, meaning lots of peaches in a small space. Mature size is only 15 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Peaches are full sized, yellow fleshed, dessert type with smooth sweet flesh that is perfect for fresh eating, baking, or preserves. It is also self-fruitful, so only one tree will still yield lots of fresh peaches.

Blueberry ‘Pink Lemonade’ - A true oddity, this blueberry is actually pink when it is ripe! They have a mild, sweet flavor, and are loaded with antioxidants. The light pink, bell shaped flowers appear in spring, followed by dappled pink fruit that gradually turn a deep pink as they ripen. The glossy green leaves turn yellow to orange in fall, providing much needed late season interest.

Sea Berry - This striking shrub features narrow and graceful grayish green foliage accented by large sprays of bright orange berries. The fruit is quite tasty and is an excellent source of vitamins C, A, and E, as well as antioxidants. Sea berries are also salt and drought tolerant and very easy to grow and maintain.

Medlar, Breda Giant - This small fruiting tree has been grown for centuries in Europe but is almost unknown in the US. It features long, dark green, tropical looking foliage and produces large white flowers and a striking brown fruit.

The fruit ripens in mid to late October and has the texture and taste of spiced applesauce.

Breda Giant bears large crops of 1 ½ - 1 ¾” fruits, and starts producing at an early age.

After harvest, the fruit should be stored in a cool, dry place and allowed to soften before eating for the best flavor.

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