I came across these new perennials in an online publication this week.  I’m really interested in the new digiplexis which is supposed to be more winter hardy than the first flashy one, Illumination Flame.  Echibeckia is quite stunning, and who doesn’t like a name like that?  It just rolls off the tongue and is fun to say.  It’s a cross between two daisy-like flowers, echinacea and rudbeckia.  The cone flower and a black-eyed susan.  The colors are terrific, it will be fun to watch it grow.  Another cross is between Stachys and Lamium.  I wonder how this one will grow, as lamium can tend to be invasive.  Lots of fun and adventure in the garden for 2015!

 

 

 

 

Digiplexis ‘Berry Canary’ This stocky, brand new digitalis hybrid is hardier than ‘Illumination Flame,’ to Zone 7. ‘Berry Canary’ has a dense, compact habit, stout spikes and soft-frosted pink flowers all season long.

Digitalis ‘Foxlight Series‘ The new Foxlight digitalis hybrid series offers three bold flower colors (Plum Gold, Rose Ivory and Ruby Glow) with lower input costs. It blooms all summer with flowers that face out for better show, offering a great focal point in gardens and containers.

Echibeckia Summerina A brand new series from an intergeneric cross, Summerina has the appearance of rudbeckia with the hardiness of echinacea. The extra-large, sterile flowers last two months on the plant before dropping and are self-cleaning.

Lavender ‘Laveanna Pink Lollipop‘ These pretty pink flowers are supported by a well-branched plant with leaves and flowers that spread a delicate lavender fragrance. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Lavender Madrid Series (GreenFuse Botanicals)
Lavender Madrid Series The new Madrid series offers the same early flowering as the original Madrid lavender, but with larger florets and bracts and an excellent mounded habit. Three colors — Blue, Purple and the unique Rose — reach 10 to 14 inches in height.

Lobelia ‘Vulcan Red’ This professional-quality cardinal flower makes full, strong-stemmed plants with a controlled habit. Deep red flowers bloom atop striking bronze foliage on this first year flowering perennial.

Penstemon ‘Purple Perfectionist‘ Part of the new Essential Perennials line from HGTV HOME, this purple people-pleaser offers a compact form and longer bloom period, attracting pollinators. It’s deer-resistant and blooms in full sun.

Salvia Color Spires Series The new Color Spires series with three colors blooms from late spring into early summer and forms a dense, rounded clump of aromatic, grey-green foliage. Deer and rabbit resistant, it’s a full sun variety for Zones 3 to 8. Crystal Blue is a unique, light sky blue that’s a Garden Writers favorite.
Salvia ‘Ember’s Wish’ (Sunset Western Garden/Southern Living Collection)
Salvia ‘Embers Wish’ Glowing, bright coral flowers cover these tough plants from spring to frost. This salvia shakes off heat and humidity and attracts pollinators. Root hardy to 25°F, it reaches 3 by 3 feet and is long-blooming for easy care. A portion of the proceeds from this plant will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Stachys/Lamium ‘Lilac Falls’ An interspecific cross between stachys and lamium gives ‘Lilac Falls’ a great branching habit. It flowers continuously with beautiful lavender blooms, looks great in a container or hanging basket and could be an interesting component in containers with annuals or perennials.

Coreopsis ‘Firefly’ Well-formed, compact mounds of dense, thread-like foliage are blanketed with bright yellow and red bicolor flowers. Hardy to Zone 5 and easy to grow with powdery mildew resistance, ‘Firefly’ is a plant for borders or mixed containers.

Information and Photos Courtesy of Greenhouse Growers e-newsletter www.greenhousegrower.com/varieties/california-spring-trials-13-new-perennials-for-2015-slideshow/