Some of the new breeding programs have resulted in interesting new colours in flowers and foliage, and greater tolerance to heat and sun.
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One of the nicest jobs about being a garden communicator is having the opportunity to evaluate many new plants sent to me by various horticultural companies. Every year, in exchange for a frank and honest report on their performance, I receive new vegetables, perennials, annuals and shrubs to grow in our region.
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It’s great to see how some of the new breeding programs have resulted in interesting new colours in flowers and foliage, improved plant growth habits and greater tolerance to heat and sun. It’s these evaluations from across North America that provide better information about these new plant varieties as they are introduced to the wider gardening community.
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What’s most important to me is the opportunity to share these new plant varieties and give you some new ideas for next year’s garden.
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Westcoast Homes
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We tried all the new plants in 20 centimetre pots in full sun with quite intense heat during the warmest days. Two new heucheras certainly caught my eye and, wow, talk about contrast. Heuchera Everglow Midnight, new for 2027, is the closest yet to a black-leaf heuchera. Tolerant of both sun and shade it is very hardy, down to Zone 4A, and captures your attention immediately with its glossy foliage. H. Lime Zest just pops with its vibrant lime green leaves and is hardy to Zone 4B. It also does well in either sun or shade for year-round enjoyment, especially in planters.
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I’m a big fan of brunnera for those dry shady spots, but b. Frost King and b. Frostbite were pretty impressive, even in the sun. Their silver foliage and Forget-Me-Not-like blue flowers in early spring will certainly lift those shady spots. They need very little care, and both have silver leaves with green venation, but Frost King has huge leaves, up to 41 centimetres across.
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Kniphofia Glowstick is not as new but deserves attention because its massive yellow flowers bloom from July into November. I love the narrow, upright, grasslike foliage too, which makes it very useful in containers.
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There are so many lavenders today, many of which are unique, but l. SuperBlue is fast becoming a favourite for a couple of reasons. A very deep blue, at only 25-30 centimetres, it stays nice and short but blooms from April to September providing a long period of colour.
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Perennial nepeta, or catmint, continues to grow in popularity because of its long flowering period and serious pollinator attraction. Two of Darwin Perennials’ best are n. Junior Walker, a very rich blue growing only 46 centimetres tall and blooming May to September, and Purrsian Blue, a deeper purple blue coming in at 36 centimetres with a strong summer performance. Both are quite hardy, to Zones 4 and 3 respectively.
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The Marvel salvia series, also from Darwin, have the largest flowers of any salvia and s. Rose Marvel is not only a compact 41 centimetres, it blooms from March to September. It is a vibrant rosy pink, hardy to Zone 4 and tolerates the heat of summer. Widely acknowledged by the industry to be the best blue salvia, s. Blue By You also blooms from early spring into early fall. It also tolerates winter cold down to Zone 4A as well as summer heat and drought.
