New Perennials for 2020 from Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. + Some Old Favourites

It's a gorgeous day here–sunny and warm enough for the snow to be melting. Though it feels like spring has arrived, I remind myself that it is only the first of March and winter may not be done with us just yet.

 You can see the tangled growth at the base of the lilac in this shot from June 2019.

Even though it is just a common lilac, the flowers are pretty and very fragrant.

Despite the pockets of snow, the dogs and I spent a good part of yesterday afternoon out in the garden. The temperature was mild enough for me to ditch my winter jacket and get to work pruning a neglected lilac. While this is not the proper time of year to prune a lilac (you could cut off all this year's flower buds if you aren't confident in what you're doing) I find it helpful to get a headstart on simple tasks like removing spindly suckers before I get overwhelmed with a long list of other pressing spring chores. That and it's nice to be puttering around outside in the sunshine!

Like me, I am sure you are beginning to draw up a spring wishlist. What interests me these days are plants with unique foliage and flowers. With that in mind, I've put together a list of new introductions from Terra Nova Nurseries that have captured my imagination. And as I promised earlier in the year, I'm also going to highlight some older introductions I think are worth seeking out.

A word about Terra Nova® Nurseries. They use tissue culture to propagate and grow both annuals and perennials.  Based in Canby Oregon, they have introduced over a thousand new plants to market.

As a wholesale propagation nursery, Terra Nova does not sell directly to the public. On their website, they have a handy page that will help you locate a retailer in your state or province that sells their plants (Sadly for Canadians on the East Coast and in Saskatchewan, Terra Nova is underrepresented).

Some of the New Plants for 2020

Geum Tempo™ Rose from Terra Nova® Nurseries

Geum Tempo™ Rose has dark rose-pink flowers on short, dark stems. Moist, loamy soil is prefered. Long bloom time. Full sun. Height: 8-21 inches, Spread: 12 inches. USDA zones: 5-9.

Sedum Peach Pearls has burgundy leaves and rose-gold flowers. Even in its first year, this sedum produces multiple flower crowns. 'Peach Pearls' likes soil with good drainage. Drought tolerant and attractive to pollinators. Full sun. Height: 14-20 inches, Spread: 24 inches. USDA zones: 4-9.

Veronica Vespers™ Blue has blueish-purple flowers. A long period of bloom begins in late spring and runs into mid-summer.  It prefers moist soil with lots of organic material and good drainage. Full sun. Height: 9-13 inches, Spread: 11 inches. USDA zones: 4-8.

Heuchera Northern Exposure™ Sienna has green foliage when it first emerges in the spring. In summer, it becomes a mix of sienna and orange with greenish margins. Fall sees it revert back again to green. Rust resistant. Moderately well-drained soil and average moisture conditions. Full sun to part shade. Height: 13-22 inches, Spread: 21 inches. USDA zones: 4-9.

Other Perennials that Caught my Eye:

Of all the perennials on my list, I would love to get my hands on this one the most! I find Thalictrum to be a terrific option for part-shade. This type of Meadow Rue has lovely ferny foliage, dark stems and star-like flowers. I have the mauve flowering variety but would like to add a white flowering version:

Thalictrum Nimbus™ White has clouds of white flowers and fern-like foliage. The flowers age to lavender-pink seed heads. This perennial prefers moist, humus-rich soil but adapts well to average soil with good drainage. Part-shade. Height: 28 inches, Spread: 16 inches. USDA zones: 5-9.

I have a quite number of Bleeding Hearts, but I don't have this cultivar with its combination of golden leaves and white flowers.

I can just imagine Dicentra 'White Gold' mixed in with tulips and daffodils. Beautiful! Again, it's a great option for the shady area of your garden (although, based on experience with similar 'Gold Heart', I would recommend part-shade for the best leaf color).

Dicentra 'White Gold' has heart-shaped white flowers and golden leaves on a vigorous plant. This perennial prefers moist, loamy soil. Part to full shade. Height: 24-30 inches, Spread: 36 inches. USDA zones: 4-8.

When you're a plant collector, it's hard to resist adding more of your favourites:

Geum Petticoats™ Peach has semi-double peach flowers on a compact plant with green foliage. Moist, loamy soil is prefered. Reblooms. Full sun. Height: 10-12 inches, Spread: 20 inches. USDA zones: 5-9.

Every year I try to invest in at least one new hosta with interesting features. Here are two with very attractive reddish-purple accents:

Hosta 'Purple Heart' has glossy lime-green foliage with red-purple at the base of each heart-shaped leaf. 'Purple Heart' has a neat, uniform growth habit and good slug resistance. Full shade. Height: 15-24 inches, Spread: 30 inches. USDA zones: 4-9.

Hosta 'Raspberry Sundae' is a compact hosta with creamy-white variegation through the centre of the leaf. It has deep burgundy petioles, leaf bases and flower stalks. Its flowers are deep lavender-purple. Part-shade to full shade. Height: 9-23 inches, Spread: 21 inches. USDA zones: 4-9.

Yet another personal favourite is Penstemon (I already have Penstemon 'Husker Red' and 'Dark Towers'). Many of the newer introductions aren't hardy here, but I was very excited to see two that are reputed to be tough, hardy perennials:

Penstemon Dakota™ Verde has violet flowers on dark stems. Seed heads are a lovely dark burgundy color and the foliage takes on a purple tinge in the fall. Average, well-drained soil is fine for this perennial. Full sun. Height: 12-24 inches, Spread: 18 inches. USDA zones: 3-8.

Penstemon Dakota™ Burgundy has violet flowers. This penstemon is shorter and more compact than popular 'Dark Towers'. Average well-drained soil and moisture conditions are fine for this plant. Full sun. Height: 12-24 inches, Spread: 18 inches. USDA zones: 3-8.

I thought I would also throw in a few annuals that caught my attention. Some people struggle with Rex Begonias, but I seem to have good luck with them. I keep them as houseplants year-round in an east-facing window. Each spring, I divide them and move the divisions outdoors to fill part-shade containers.

I often take cuttings in the fall and keep Coleus over the winter as houseplants. Last fall I didn't have a chance to take the usual cuttings, so this spring I am definitely in the market for some new plants. Here are a couple I am going to watch for:

I hope this post has inspired you to add a few plants to your own wishlist for 2020. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Photos in this post are courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries. www.terranovanurseries.com

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Heuchera Brighten Up any Spot in the Garden

Gardeners looking for something colorful to brighten up their late summer garden often look to flowers, but flowers aren't the only way to go.

When it comes to adding an infusion of color, I always think back to this amazing garden. Who needs flowers when foliage is this beautiful? The rose and peach colored Heuchera completely transform this shady garden.

Part-shade–Private garden in Campbellville, ON

Here's a fact that may surprise you–Heuchera is actually a native plant and are found in various forms across the North American continent. 

Heuchera forms neat, round mounds and have a woody centre or "crown". The bell-shaped flowers of this plant are often described as "insignificant". Certainly one purchases a Heuchera primarily for the foliage, but the tiny flowers are often quite attractive in their own right:

Light

Not all Heuchera prefer the same light conditions, so it's a good idea to read the recommendations on the plant tag before you set your heart on a particular cultivar. Some like full sun to part shade, while others prefer part-shade to full shade. All varieties benefit from some light afternoon shade– Heuchera foliage may actually scorch in the hot afternoon sun in more southern garden zones.

Soil

Heuchera prefers moist, well-drained soil enriched with some organic matter. If your soil is poor, it is a good idea to amend it with some organic matter before you plant.

Division

A Heuchera's crown loses some vigour over time, so it is a good idea to divide them every 3-4 years. This can be done in either the spring or the fall.

Pests & Problems

Though Heuchera prefers moist soil, they like good drainage. Too much water can cause crown or root rot and make overwintering a Heuchera more difficult.

Winter cycles of frost and thaw can heave the crown of a Heuchera up out of the ground. To prevent this from happening, mulch in the fall. If your Heuchera has already heaved up as a result of frost/thaw, simply lift and re-plating it.

The Cultivars

In recent years, Heuchera has been the focus of frenzied hybridization and can now be found in an amazing array of colors, leaf shapes and textures. 

Here's a look at some of the many cultivars available with suggestions for companion planting:

Shades of Green

Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' is a part of a series of miniature hybrids under the brand 'Little Cutie'. It has bright, lime-colored leaves and sprays of peachy-pink flowers. Part to full shade. Height: 10-15 cm (4-6 inches), Spread: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Part-shade– Private garden, Brampton, ON.

Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade' has lobed and ruffled leaves that are a mix of chartreuse and lime. The flowers are peach on tan-colored stems. Part to full shade. Height: 25-40 cm (10-16 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivar: Heuchera 'Citronelle'

Heuchera 'Winter Joy' has ruffled, lime-green leaves that have a light touch of yellow. The flowers are white. Part to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-18 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivars: Heuchera 'Lime Rickey', Heuchera 'Lime Ruffles', Heuchera 'Pear Crisp'

Heuchera 'Delta Dawn' has rounded leaves with a lime edge and a russet centre. The sprays of flowers are white in color. This cultivar is reputed to be both strong and vigorous. Full sun, part-shade and full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivar: Heuchera 'Miracle'

Heuchera 'Sashay' has dark green foliage with a rust colored underside. Part to full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-21 inches), Spread: 20-25 cm (8-21 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera sanguinea 'Frosty Morn' has lobed and ruffled leaves that are a mix of chartreuse and lime. The flowers are orangy-red on tan-colored stems. Part to full shade. Height: 25-40 cm (10-16 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivar: Heuchera 'Arctic Mist', Heuchera 'Snow Angel', Heuchera 'Shamrock', Heuchera x villosa 'Carnival Limeade', Heuchera x villosa 'Carnival Cocomint', Heuchera 'Helen Dillon'

Full sun– Heuchera and a Dianthus in Chen's garden.

Heuchera 'Crimson Curls' has ruffled, bronze and brown leaves with a crimson underside. Creamy-white flowers appear in late spring/summer. Evergreen. Part to full shade. Height: 20-45 cm (8-18 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera with Dark and Moody Tones

Heuchera 'Cherry Cola' has reddish-brown leaves and cherry-red flowers in late spring/early summer. Full sun or part-shade. Height: 40-45 cm (16-18 in), Spread: 30-40 cm (12-16 in). USDA zones: 4-9.

Full sun–private garden Brampton, Ontario.

Heuchera 'Cajun Fire' is red in spring, black in summer and maroon in the fall. 'Cajun Fire' has white flowers on dark stems. Full sun, part-shade and full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera 'Black Taffeta' has glossy, ruffled almost black foliage. The sprays of flowers are pink in color. Evergreen and reputed to have great vigour. Part to full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles', Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', Heuchera 'Bressingham Bronze'

 Full shade–Private garden in Campbellville, ON

Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' has lobed leaves that are black in spring and lighten in the summer to have a splash of pink. The sprays of flowers are white. Full sun to part-shade. Height: 25-60 cm (10-23 inches), Spread: 40-50 cm (16-20 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Full sun– Mira's garden in Guelph, ON.

Part-shade– Chen's garden, Milton, ON.

Heuchera with a Hint of Autumn Color

Full sun to part-shade–Peach colored Heuchera in a private garden, Mississauga, ON.

Heuchera 'Champagne' has peach and gold leaves with a matt finish. The flowers are light-peach on maroon colored stems. Part to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Peach Flambe', Heuchera 'Vienna'

Heuchera 'Marmalade' has foliage ranging in color from umber to deep sienna. The underside of the leaves is a blend of orange and magenta. The flowers are reddish-brown. Part-shade. Height: 25-40 cm (10-16 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Amber Waves', Heuchera 'Autumn Leaves', Heuchera 'Kassandra'

Full sun–Peach colored Heuchera in Joe's garden, Brampton, ON.

A little reminder that Heuchera works well in containers. Lift them from the container in the late fall and plant them in the garden.

Heuchera  Kira 'Jersey' emerges in spring with lobed silver leaves with dark rose veins. As the summer progresses, it becomes peachy-rose in color with a light silver overlay. 'Jersey' has dark red stems and flowers. Part-shade to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Georgia Peach', Heuchera 'Carnival Watermelon', Heuchera 'Midas Touch', Heuchera 'Paprika'

Full sun–Peach colored Heuchera in Chen's garden, Milton, ON.

Heuchera 'Encore' emerges a deep purple overlaid with silver in spring and becomes peachy-rose overlaid with silver. The sprays of flowers are short and white. Full sun or part-shade. Height: 15-20 cm (6-8 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera 'Zipper' is a smaller sized variety that has large, ruffled leaves that are burnt orange with an amber underside. Full sun, part-shade and full shade. Height: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivars: Heuchera Little Cutie 'Ginger Snap' (smaller), Heuchera 'Southern Comfort', Heuchera 'Galaxy'

Heuchera with a Silver Finish

Heuchera 'Midnight Ruffles' has ruffled brown-black foliage that has a bit of a silver sheen. The maroon underside of the leaves contrasts nicely. In spring, 'Midnight Ruffles' produces tan colored flowers. This hybrid was bred to be both vigorous and heat tolerant.  Full sun or part shade. Height: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches), Spread: 60-65 cm (23-25 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Part to full shade–Heuchera in the foreground– Private garden in the Toronto Beaches.

Heuchera 'Great Expectations' has silver and purple leaves with black veining. Cream flowers appear on dark stems in early summer. This is a villosa hybrid that was bred to tolerate heat and humidity (Heuchera villosa is native to the southeastern U.S.) Part-shade to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera 'Glitter' has shiny, silver foliage with black veins and a grape-colored underside. Sprays of fuchsia-pink flower appear throughout the summer months. Part-shade to full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Part to full shade–Chen's garden, Milton, ON

You may have noticed that there aren't any pictures of Heuchera in my own garden in this post. 

That's because they can be very pricy plants (especially the newer cultivars)! As with hosta, I have started to invest in one or maybe two each year. In my mind, their attractive foliage makes them well worth the expense.

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