More archives: Opinions Interviews & Advice Features Past News

Can you name the Top 12 up-and-coming plants, as selected by the people who breed and sell them? We can, and we call them Rising Stars! Zinnia Petunia Gaillardia Osteospermum Rudbeckia Echinacea Phlox Grasses Angelonia Dianthus Begonia Coleus Learn to grow Abeliophyllum distichum 'White Forsythia', a simple yet beautiful shrub that heralds the spring season with brilliant white flowers in March. Known for its exceptional color and elegance, white fir - Abies concolor - is a great alternative to the more commonly used large evergreens. This Asian maple - Acer buergerianum - may have a true Western future. Acer circinatum is known as a large shrub or small tree that grows in the understory, but it also adapts to urban conditions with varying moisture and light conditions. Find out how to grow and sell vine maple. Acer x freemanii Celebration is an outstanding compact tree worth celebrating. Here's why. Does Norway maple, Acer platanoides, have a place in U.S. landscapes? Achillea millefolium 'Colorado' is a vigorous growing, long-flowering yarrow that can be used as a fresh and/or dried cut flower and as a bedding plant. Learn about Acorus gramineus, a tough perennial that can be grown in a container, a bog or as a groundcover. Aesculus 'Autumn Splendor' offers everything one could expect from a medium-sized landscape tree: scorch-resistant glossy foliage, cold hardiness, attractive flowers and stop-dead-in-your-tracks fall color. S&G Flowers has bred a vegetative series of ageratum with traits that are improvements over current seed varieties. For an easy-to-grow foliage favorite, try Ajania pacifica. The Alnus cordata's fruit and bark lend winter interest. It's also much tougher and versatile than often perceived. Alocasia 'Aurora' from Agri-Starts Inc. has stunning pink stems and shiny silvery veins that set it apart from other alocasias. Amaranthus is a colorful, variegated plant that thrives in hot weather. Many Amsonia species, known as bluestars, grow well in tough landscape conditions. Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert,' Japanese anemone, provides a dash of fall color. With spring just around the corner, here are three annuals your customers will want to see. Do gardeners in your market look for something a little different? Try these three unusual annuals. Customers love 'em! So don't pass up a chance to look at these amazing annuals, ready to perk up your sales. Help ensure that next year's spring rush comes through your store, by stocking the newest annuals - like these three. Are more-experienced gardeners uninspired by the basics you've been offering? Try these three exotic annuals. The sight and sound of water add welcome life to any garden. Aquatic plants can likewise liven up your sales. Aquilegia 'Remembrance' derives its name from its purpose - to commemorate victims of the Columbine High School shooting. Arachis glabrata - ornamental peanut - is a care-free groundcover for warm climes. Araucaria araucana, the monkey-puzzle tree, makes an intriguing specialty item. Looking for a plant that will satisfy myriad customer whims? You and customers will benefit from Aronia arbutifolia. For a vigorous, yet velvety plant, try Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver Queen'. Looking for a groundcover that nearly anyone can use in a dry landscape? Try the tough Artemisia ludoviciana. From petite, heart-shaped leaves to grandiose leaves that resemble elephant ears, Asarum offers dozens of leaf patterns and colors. Aspidistra elatior, cast-iron plant, is a tough understory plant that puts a finishing touch on landscapes where borders of green are appropriate all year. Get the inside story on growing cast-iron plant. Asteriscus 'Aurelia Gold' from S&G Flowers is a heat- and drought-tolerant plant that produces bright-yellow flowers from mid- to late summer. Charming throughout the growing season, Japanese painted fern -- Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum' -- provides a rare departure from the greens of the shade garden with its seemingly hand-painted, airy fronds. Whether grown for pot plant culture or for use in landscape plantings, S&G Flowers' new Aubrieta hybrida Axcent series offers some major improvements over other varieties on the market. New azaleas, scheduled for wide market release this fall, have been bred to flower in spring and fall. With increased interest in combination planters, baskets and color bowls, bacopa is a good addition to your growing lineup. Baptisia spp., more recently known as redneck lupines, are gaining selections and popularity. Barleria 'Amethyst Lights' would make a colorful addition to any mixed container plant selection. Grow it this way. Beargrass can be a good addition to low-water landscapes. Begonia boliviensis Bonfire has bright-orange, bell-shaped flowers that cover the plant from late spring through summer. The large flowers of tuberous begonias make them a popular plant with multiple uses in pots, color bowls, combination planters, hanging baskets and as a landscape plant. Take a cue from the Society of Municipal Arborists and try Betula nigra 'Cully' in your mix. Betula nigra, the river birch, is a tree with a graceful form and decorative exfoliating bark. Read tips for propagating river birch and learn the best landscape setting for this tree. Biennials, although fewer in number than the annuals and perennials, have some of the showiest flowers. Try these three. Tasmanian climbing shrub - Billardiera longiflora - produces beautiful flowers and fruit. The lowly box elder is a plant only a mother could love. So why are some of the most respected nurseries boldly offering it as a proud street tree? The answer may surprise you. The distinctive Dreamtime strawflowers -- bracteantha -- have crisp, strawlike petals that add an interesting texture to mixed containers, planters, window boxes, baskets and landscapes. One of nearly 100 species in the world, Bupleurum fruticosum is an unusual small shrub especially well-suited to Northwest gardens. By grouping and displaying plants that attract butterflies, you can show gardeners of all skill levels how to add the color and motion of butterflies to their garden. Looking for ornamental grasses to add to your product line? Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' is worth considering. Calathea can be an attractive houseplant alone in its own container or as part of a mixed planter. Get the growing tips for this versatile foliage plant. Campanula medium - common name Canterbury bells - is a long-flowering pot plant with bell-shaped flowers, for inoors or out. Campsis radicans Balboa Sunset is a beauty that attracts hummingbirds. Fragrant Carolina jessamine shines from January to April, growing easily across the ground, in containers, or on an arbor. The castor bean can add a tropical flair to landscapes - a super-fast ornamental plant with bold and striking foliage. Catalpa bignonioides - Southern catalpa - has a somewhat unkempt package, but the foliage and clusters of bell-shaped flowers are striking. Ceanothus is so beautiful in flower, it's hard to believe it's a native. Looking for an underused selection with spectacular vegetation? Try Cercis canadensis 'Silver Cloud'. Chaenomeles speciosa (flowering quince) braves the unpredictable early-spring weather to provide an explosion of color that arrives weeks before that of other spring-flowering shrubs. This series of cheiranthus - which comes in four separate colors - is a cool-weather crop that can be used for spring and fall flowering. What do you get when you cross a desert willow with a catalpa? It's a pleasant surprise - x Chitalpa tashkentensis! Christmas potted plants make a perfect complement to your selection of poinsettias. Try these suggestions. Cimicifuga - a beautiful woodland perennial - adds spice to landscapes. Cineraria provides a compact, rounded habit ideal for sales Jan. to April. Here's how to grow them right. Cascading flowers give American yellowwood, Cladrastis kentukea, an enchanting look. The Novalis network, Raymond Evison and Poulsen Roser plan to win over gardeners with the Clematis viticella Festoon Collection. Clematis Raymond Evison Signature Series features four cultivars of international acclaim. Dwarf citrus trees are the answer for customers wanting trees sized for patios and balconies. Here's a sample of three dwarf citrus species. Even gardeners without much yard space can enjoy container vegetables. Learn to market carrots, okra, tomatoes, blueberries and other food crops for pots. Cordia boissieri, wild olive, is a good source for year-round color in Southwestern landscapes. Find out how to grow and market this medium-sized tree. For that boom-without-bloom look, gardeners are turning to cordyline. Learn to grow Cordyline Festival Grass. Graceful airy foliage and tidy flowers make Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' a dandy patio pot plant as well as a dependable bloomer in the perennial landscape. Learn to grow Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes,' a variegated dogwood that shows brilliant hues seasonally. Cortaderia selloana, pampas grass, may be the most popular ornamental grass and undoubtedly has a meaningful place in the landscape, but in large yards only, please. Here are a few tips for growing and helping consumers use this grass the right way. Are your customers looking for annual flowers to brighten up their landscapes and gardens? The Cosmic series of Cosmos sulphureus might just fill the bill. Old Man Winter brings out the best in Crataegus viridis 'Winter King.' A South African native, Crocosmia provides color and texture. Here's a shrub that's easy to grow, and even easier to sell: Cuphea hyssopifolia. If your customers seek more bang for their gardening buck, heat-tolerant Cuphea purpurea 'Firecracker' could be the plant they need. Looking for the southwestern United States' only native cypress? Meet Cupressus arizonica. Circuma spp. For bold and beautiful landscapes, add a dash of ginger. Dahlias are a flexible crop that can be grown as pot plants or bedding plants and fit into a production schedule between major crops. Dasylirion spp. - a true Southwesterner - needs recognition in the Southeast. Learn how to grow Delphinium elatum, a perennial that produces an elegant, long-stemmed flower spike that can be used separately as a cut flower in bouquets or in combinations as a filler item. The tall stems of Delphinium, commonly called larkspur, make it a suitable fresh cut flower that can be produced as a cool greenhouse or outdoor crop. Try these three Dianthus caryopohyllus pot carnations from Selecta First Class Inc. Dicentra spp., or bleeding heart, is a sure crowd-pleaser with its heart-shaped flowers. Find out how easy it is to grow this plant. The Dictamnus albus is commonly know as gas plant and burning bush for an unusual trait. Here's why. Try Duranta repens, a large subtropical shrub to small tree that is native from Florida to Brazil and the Caribbean islands. Dryopteris erythrosora is a hardy fern that can be a great groundcover for shady locations. Learn to grow and sell autumn fern. Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance' is a hardy fern that adds spark to container gardens. Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'. Get the growing and selling tips you need to get the most from the Perennial Plant Association's 1998 Perennial Plant of the Year. Golden barrel cactus - Echinocactus grusonii - lights up the landscape. Enkianthus offers eye-catching attributes in spring and fall. Eryngium, or sea holly, gives gardens texture and a Mediterranean look. Learn to grow and sell this less than common perennial. Erythrina herbacea - coral bean - is hardly widely known, but it should be. This spiny-leafed leguminous plant puts on a fine show of color in the spring and summer, and remains attractive throughout the growing season. A well-chosen evergreen tree, carefully located, can dramatically change an entire landscape design. Have you been neglecting new plant assortments available for fall season sales? Check these out. Fall plants make sensational season-extenders. Try these selections, and send sales into November and beyond. Tissue culture advances make clumping bamboo Fargesia robusta available to the masses. For a fine-textured accent plant, try Festuca glauca - blue fescue. What's new in flowering potted plants? Try this anthurium, hibiscus and miniature rose. Are you ready with multi-tasking plants? Try these flowering pot plants, equally suited for garden, pots, planters and window boxes. Flowering trees and shrubs take center stage in this report for retailers. Flowering shrubs are always in favor with gardeners. Here are three new plants that caught our eye. Adhering to the garden center maxim, "Anything with a flower on it will sell," plant breeders are increasingly focusing on the "flowering" aspect of flowering shrubs for fall. Meet three flowering trees that are bound to bring your customers pleasure. Try one of these three, new, flowering trees and shrubs. Read how to grow and market these colorful specimens. Forsythia x intermedia 'KolGold' works its early-spring magic in the landscape. Fothergilla gardenii 'Blue Shadow' is a vigorous performer that steals the show with striking foliage. Galphimia gracilis - golden thryallis - packs a heavy payload of color. In recent years, new commercial cultivars of Gaura lindheimeri have brought more choices to the market. Gaura lindheimeri, beeblossom, is a perennial with untapped potential for developing new cultivars. 'Siskiyou Pink' is one example of a sport that was bred into a top performer. Find out how it was developed. The Aristo and Angel Eyes series should help dispel some traditional images of Regal geraniums. Globba winitii is an ornamental ginger native to Southeast Asia. It is a low-growing herbaceous perennial grown from rhizomes. Looking for an evergreen native for the Southwest? Try Gochnatia hypoleuca - Chomonque - a Texas native long since adapted to harsh conditions. Gomphrena is a versatile plant that can be used as a landscape bedding plant, a fresh cut flower and as a dried flower. Ajuga, rose and juniper top our list of must-see groundcovers, new from growers. With the popularity of groundcovers, you'll want to check out these three. Groundcovers are dependable plants that blanket the soil with a uniform canopy of dense foliage, suppressing most weed growth. Here are three new groundcovers we like. Groundcovers have their place - a big place - in the landscape. Help homeowners get started, with these favorites. Here's a Japanese forest grass -- Hakonechloa macra -- to light up the shade. Halloween Plants. Start planning now for what plants to grow and promote for fall '99. We've gotten together a few suggestions to help you get started. Heirloom plants are holding their popularity as nostalgia continues to influence gardeners. Learn about Cosmos bipinnatus, Alcea rosea, Lathyrus odoratus. Strong sturdy stems that don't require staking, a long bloom period, and flowers attractive to butterflies. Maybe you should offer Helenium. Heliopsis, the false sunflower, provides summer-long color in an easy-to-grow plant. Try these cultivars for sure-fire success. Some creative breeding has shown what Helleborus orientalis can really do. Herbs continue to please America's gardeners. Remember these three when you create your marketing mix. Heuchera is gaining popularity among America's gardeners. Learn about several quality cultivars of this plant that is perfect for partial-shade settings. Years of selection have resulted in tough yet beautiful varieties of Hibsicus moscheutos. Poinsettias remain the undisputed floral symbol of the Christmas season, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't make available these other holiday plants that can serve as alternatives or complements. Hot new plants can really make your sales sizzle. Take a closer look at three plants that your customers may not know: elm 'Valley Forge', hydrangea Angel's Blush and scaevola 'New (Blue) Wonder.' Hydrangea serrata 'Golden Sunlight' can be used in the landscape, or as a specimen on balcony, terrace or deck. Hypericum 'Prince Flair', one cultivar of this popular cut flower, can be grown as a container or landscape plant. Learn how to grow and sell this versatile bloomer. Grown more for its unusual foliage colors than its flowers, hypoestes can be used as an accent plant in mixed bowls, window boxes and patio containers. An easy-to-grow evergreen candytuft - Iberis sempervirens - makes a delicious choice. Landscapers might call Ilex cornuta 'Carissa' the ouchless holly. Ipomoea batas - ornamental sweet potato - has become a popular plant for landscapes, large monoculture containers and combination planters. The Blazin' iresine series contains two members that can add color, texture and a tropical look to combination containers. Itea virginica Little Henry brings multiseason excitement and easy care. Itea virginica, sweetspire, is a beautiful and fragrant shrub native to the understory but easy to adapt to other landscape environments. Justicia spp. is a good choice to attract hummingbirds to a landscape in the Southwest. Learn to grow it from stem-tip cuttings. Could kalanchoe achieve the same indoor popularity as some other plants? Kalanchoe blossfeldiana may help! Koelreuteria paniculata - golden rain-tree - has some people excited about durability and attractiveness, while others have dropped it from their catalogs. Decide for yourself! Laburnum x watereri provides a spectacular showcase of yellow color. Consider Goldenchain tree. Lagerstroemia 'Chicksaw' is the first true mini indica x fauriei hybrid. Plants will be available spring 1999-2000. Lagerstroemia fauriei 'Fantasy', a Japanese crape myrtle, is one of the parents of the popular Indian series hybrid crape myrtles, but has its own landscape appeal. Get the inside story on producing this pest-free tree. Patriot lantanas are hybrid cultivars with a winning tradition. Meet the latest release in this series. This Lathyrus' dwarf, bush-like habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets, tubs and patio containers in sheltered, shaded situations. Lavender is the Herb of the Year in 1999. Here's your guide to making it work for you. Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pom,' a South African native, adds an exotic touch to temperate landscapes. Leucanthemum x superbum 'Becky' is a Shasta daisy selected by Perennial Plant Association as 2003 Perennial Plant of the Year. Leucanthemum x superbum 'Crazy Daisy' from Benary Seed produces a high percentage of fluffy, double, white flowers with yellow centers. Leucophyllum frutescens, or purple sage, is a good shrub for drought conditions. With new compact forms on the market, this often leggy plant is becoming more attractive. With colorful rosettes, interesting foliage, Lewisia x 'Little Plum' bodes well for specialty markets. Liatris spicata, blazing-star, is the right plant to draw bees and butterflies this time of year. Get some growing tips and a list of cultivars to try. Lobelia is a good crop for combination or individual plantings. Learn the steps for growing this annual. Lobelia cardinalis, the perennial cardinal flower, likes "wet feet." Although several other yellow-flowering magnolias have been introduced in the last 20 years, 'Elizabeth' holds its own in the market and the hearts of its growers. Leatherleaf mahonia signals baseball's Opening Day. Will you be ready next spring? The new mandevilla cultivar 'Tropical Dreams' is a naturally occurring variegated mutation of a yellow-flowered, solid-green-leaf mandevilla - a very showy plant, even without flowers. Manettia inflata, candy corn vine or firecracker plant, is a bright-flowered, vining, tender perennial that livens up container gardens. Mascagnia macroptera - Yellow Butterfly vine - is a speedy, flowering wonder. In USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7, Matteuccia pensylvanica - ostrich fern - is a great choice that can form large colonies of lush, green foliage. Milium effusum 'Aureum' is a colorful ornamental grass that produces bright-chartreuse straplike leaves. Consider Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra.' Judge this eye-catching grass by its stripes. Zebra grass - Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' - is one of the most fascinating variegated grasses because its yellow-on-green variegation runs in horizontal bands. Molinia caerulea, purple moor grass, moves like a well-choreographed dancer. Try Myosotis sylvatica (forget-me-not) as a biennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8 or a short-lived perennial in protected areas of Zones 3-4. The small size and feathery flowers of Muhlenbergia capillaries Regal Mist is a strong attention-getter. Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low' tolerates drought conditions once established and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Learn to grow Nemesia x hybrida Sachet series from Ecke Ranch. It's part of the company's Fast Crop program, so plants can be produced for quick turnover after peak selling weeks. Nemesia is a cool-season crop that you can grow and sell with spring pansies. Get some tips for propagating these colorful flowers. Are your customers looking for another cool-season crop to sell in addition to pansies, ornamental cabbage, kale and primula? Try Nemesia. For subtropical landscapes, consider the colorful Nerium Oleander. Looking for a novelty groundcover? How about this black beauty, Ophiopogon planiscapus? Opuntia (prickly pear) are easy to grow and highly ornamental. Try 'em! The increasing popularity of Mexican and Tex-Mex foods has raised consumers' interest in products with a Hispanic flavor: Ornamental peppers. Unlike cut flower Ornithogalum, this novel new series of hybrids was bred for container production. Learn to grow Oso Easy roses, a collection of no-spray, no-fuss, worry-free plants. Sourwood -- Oxydendrum arboreum -- rewards growers with high profits. Panicum 'Northwind' is native to North American tall-grass prairies from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, and was one of the most prominent prairie species. The deciduous, slow-growing ironwood tree, Parrotia persica, adds seasons of beauty to gardens. Parrotia persica is an uncommon 30- to 40-foot tree from the Hamamelidaceae family. It's biggest selling point: great fall color. Seldom will you find a more versatile and trouble-free plant than Parthenocissus quinquefolia. More customers are looking for pleasing plants for their patio. We invite you to introduce them to these three winners. Part of the allure of the patio is the ability to decorate an area with plants that lend a tropical feel. These three patio plants can turn any patio or deck into an eye-popping Caribbean paradise. Creating patio partners is a great way to sell multiple varieties of container plants. Looking for an adaptable plant with an easy-going nature? Try Pennisetum alopecuroides. Pentas lanceolata is a durable, nonstop bedding plant or shrub that really takes the heat. Speaking of perennials (and who isn't?), here are three that are proven customer pleasers. Customers are always anxious to plant perennials early in the season. Here are three common perennials that begin their show early each spring. Spring-blooming perennials expand your sales opportunities beyond annuals in the spring. Introduce your customers to Aquilegia, Delphinium and Hemerocallis. Select from these perennials for sun, including one for the customer who insists she can't grow anything! Valued for its foliage, Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon' is a great non-invasive perennial. Learn how to grow a new patented Philodendron cultivar from Oglesby Plants International, Rojo Congo. Phlox drummondii Palona Mix produces well-branched, compact plants two to three weeks earlier than other phlox varieties. Phlox paniculata 'David' is the 2002 Perennial Plant of the Year, selected by Perennial Plant Association. The Volcano phlox series is compact, multibranching and exceptionally floriferous with a high natural tolerance of the powdery mildew that plagues many other phlox varieties. Tired of fraser photinias succumbing to leaf spot? Consider Photinia serrulata. Dramatic new Physocarpus opulifolius - ninebark - cultivars take the shrub spotlight. Physostegia virginiana - Obedient plant - lives up to its name in production, not the landscape. Try Picea glauca 'Pendula' - weeping white spruce - to add formality to landscapes. Pitcher plants are a sure way to stand out from the retail crowd. These uncommon carnivores have appeal to new and experienced gardeners. Platycodon grandiflorus - balloon flower - offers interesting buds and appealing flowers that dance on long stems. Paul Ecke Ranch, Oglevee, and Fischer USA point out some poinsettias that are worth your while. It'll start looking a lot like Christmas, when you try these three new poinsettia varieties. Polianthes has been grown and processed since the days of the Aztecs. This plant's oils have been mixed into chocolate and perfumes. Learn to grow and sell tuberose. Poncirus trifoliata has a scary appearance, but you warm up to it once you see its qualities. Promotion-packed plants. Discover three plants that are available with extensive promotional materials from growers. Looking for plants that will be promoted in the consumer press this year? Try these three. Prunus 'Dream Catcher' has already gained accord, although this ornamental flowering cherry has only been on the market a short three years. Prunus 'First Lady' is a new cherry that answers the call for smaller flowering trees. Prunus mexicana, or Mexican plum, is known for brightening late winter landscapes with white flowers. Learn more selling points and how to grow this specimen tree. Prunus persica 'Late Red' - flowering peach - will dazzle you with flowers, even in frost-prone areas. Pterocarya stenoptera, or Chinese wingnut, is an attractive member of the walnut family which is easily propagated from seed. Punica granatum - the pomegranate - has been grown since biblical times for its delicious fruit and its handsome red, orange or, occasionally, creamy-yellow flowers. Quercus coccinea is an uncommon tree with a long list of great attributes: adaptable to street-tree conditions, hardy to minus 30F, noninvasive and a shade tree that allows turf culture beneath it. Tune in to find out more about scarlet oak. Quercus gravesii is a great red oak from west of Texas' Pecos River. But it's been surrounded with mystery since it was first known. Quercus polymorpha - Mexican white oak - is almost bulletproof against disease and drought. Have you seen the new Raise the Roof series of rhododendrons from the University of Connecticut? It's worth a full-court press. Robinia pseudoacacia 'Lace Lady' makes a great patio or landscape tree. Rosa 'Old Blush' is a dependable, tough pioneer. No wonder it's a favorite of old rose growers. Learn to grow the tenacious Rosa Peggy Martin. A portion of proceeds from sales fund horticulture restoration programs in New Orleans. Sometimes forgotten in the glitter of the current avalanche of small flowering trees is an oldtimer, the venerable rose-of-Sharon. The popularity of rosemary should increase even more this spring, as it enjoys the title 2000 Herb of the Year. Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' is the 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year. Get some tips for propagating, finishing and marketing this durable garden favorite. Mexican petunia - Ruellia brittoniana - is long flowering, heat tolerant, and easy to grow. Ruellia brittoniana, Mexican petunia, is a no-fuss perennial, but watch reseeding. Here's what you need to know for commercial growing. 'Little Spire' is a manageable Russian sage from Walters Gardens. Let's celebrate Sabal minor, a hardy, native palm species. Sanvitalia procumbens 'Orange Sprite' flowers repeatedly and is easy to grow - a gardener's delight. Learn to produce and sell this creeping zinnia. Salvia greggii thrives in sunny and dry locations, making it a valuable addition to any sunny border. Sapindus drummondii or western soapberry is a tree from the Southwest that has great features for all seasons. Many growers are leery of producing bog plants, including Sarracenia. But pitcher plants actually fit nicely into nursery production. Meet Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue,' the Perennial Plant Association's 2000 Perennial Plant of the Year. Schizophragma hydrangeoides -- Japanese hydrangea vine -- is a vigorous, colorful climber, and simple to grow. A versatile annual that enjoys full sun, Scoparia 'Illumina Lemon Mist' is sure to please. Desert cassis - Senna polyphylla - takes abuse, but doesn't dish it out. Find out what's new in shade trees. Meet new introductions of three classic shade trees. Shade trees have an enormous impact on the landscape and on the people who enjoy them. Here are three big hits in the large-tree market. With many communities and customers pushing for natives and drought-tolerant plants, silver buffalo berry - Shepherdia argentea - may be the answer. Today we spotlight three shrubs that are proven winners with garden center customers. When customers start to become jaded with plant selections, it's time to introduce them to specialty plants. Looking for an unusual ornamental pot plant and/or annual? Try Solanum melongena 'Golden Eggs'. Solidago spp., or goldenrod, is available in dwarf varieties that make excellent border perennials. And, despite the myth, this plant is not allergy inducing. When customers start to become jaded with plant selections, it's time to introduce them to specialty plants. Globe mallow - Sphaeralcea spp. -- works well in drought-prone areas. What are the most-planted spring bulbs in the United States? Find out which, and some information worth sharing. Here are three new spring-blooming trees, available from wholesale nurseries, that are sure to captivate customers. As much as he hates lamb's ear, the editor decided to try one of its relatives, Stachys coccinea. He's glad he did! Stachyurus praecox - Spiketail - ushers in spring with strands of winter color. State-honored plants are popular for their beauty in the landscape and their tested regional hardiness. Here's a rundown of three state plant programs. We think more emphasis should be placed on traditional summer-flowering bulbs - those that must compete with annuals and perennials for attention in the bed and border. Symphoricarpss orbiculatus - Coralberry - combines drought-hardiness with a brilliant fruit that adds charm from fall into winter. Adaptability is the calling card for this evergreen, Taxus cuspidata. Tecoma spp., native to warm climates in North and South America, can be a great patio plant or perennial. Learn how to grow and sell Tecoma, also known as esperanza. Once misnamed, Thuja 'Green Giant' now has an identity of its own, and may become an outstanding alternative screening evergreen to Leyland cypress. Foam flowers - Tiarella cordifolia - may be a grower's answer for a niche shade-garden plant. Learn to grow the Terrazza rose series. It lets consumers use the plants in containers for the patio or in the landscape. Tibouchina is bound to become the next great patio plant. Here's the low-down on this up-and-comer. Think there's nothing new in topiary? You haven't looked here. Topiary growers have tried nearly every figure, size and shape to create living sculptures. Here are a few distinctive options. Torenia 'Summer Wave' from Proven Winners loves the sun and will grow and flower throughout the summer. Get tips for producing and selling this trailing plant that can be grown as a hanging basket or groundcover. Despite a funny name like toad lily, Tricyrtis is a great perennial for connoisseurs. Trochodendron - the wheel tree - has numerous stamens that spread like the spokes of a wheel. For some tropical sales, try this anthurium, spathiphyullum and ti. Ready for tropicals? How about these new dracaena, jatropha and hibiscus? Every gardener wants her own little piece of paradise, right in the backyard. Start her out right with these tropical garden plants selection. Caladiums, mandevilla and Hibiscus make a strong 1-2-3 punch for tropicals sales. Looking for tropicals that are sure to be in constant supply from Florida, California and South Texas? Try these three. Tulbaghia, or summer-flowering society garlic, is easy to grow. Find out the steps to produce this exotic-looking flower. Turnera ulmifolia 'El Dorado,' a member of the Athens Select program, loves heat and humidity and has multiple uses. Yellow alder - Turnera ulmifolia - offers spectacular foliage and daily blooms. Triumph (Ulmus x 'Morton Glossy')is one among the selections bringing elms to the forefront. Vaccinium corymbosum 'Sunshine Blue' is a blueberry bush that's finding favor with Southern and Pacific gardeners. Viburnum 'Emerald Triumph' withstands subzero conditions and looks brilliant in spring. This deciduous shrub won't thrive everywhere, but given the right location, doublefile Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum is a landscape standout. Vines and climbers have a strong place in garden center sales. Here are three new varieties to try. Vitex agnus-castus is a plant that certainly has given its all, but for some reason it has lost favor with today's designers and growers. Weigela florida is a quality specimen plant with pink flowers that add vibrant color to focal points in the landscape. Look no further than consumer magazine articles and advertising to see that callas are becoming increasingly popular. Here's one colorful hybrid, Zantedeschia Neon Amour. Zephyranthes is both easy to grow, and fast to naturalize.

© 2006 Branch-Smith Publishing