GardenDesignOnline: New Plants for 2012: II

The following -- just a short selection -- of new plants from Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, MI.

Pinky Bells™ Abelia
(Abelia 'Lynn')

I've always been a great fan of abelia, particularly because it blooms away well into fall. The problem has always been the smallish flowers -- maybe until now. Pinky Bells is said to have the largest flowers of any abelia, and new growth on the leaves and the stems takes on a reddish hue in spring and again in fall. Easy maintenance, to Zone 6, 2-3' tall by 3-4' wide. Sounds like a very promising groundcover, and it's deer resistant to boot. Available in retail centers in spring 2013.

Calycanthus 'Aphrodite'

Don't know why more people don't plant sweetshrub, and now they have no excuse. Aphrodite has large flowers reminiscent of magnolia blooms, it is extremely fragrant, and it's a re-bloomer. Five to six feet tall and wide, to zone 5. Developed by Dr. Tom Ranney of NC State. Available spring 2013.

Bobo™ Hydrangea
(Hydrangea paniculata 'ILVOBO')

This dwarf panicle hydrangea is just 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, but it has huge white flowers that lengthen as they bloom, and they're supported on strong stems. In fall, the flowers take on a pinkish color. To zone 3, seems like a terrific showy plant for small gardens. Available spring 2013.

Sonic Bloom™ Pearl Weigela (Weigela florida 'Bokrasopea')

The chronic problem with weigelas has always been that short season of bloom, but this new series promises lots of flowers in May, as usual, followed by waves of blooms until frost. If so, it's a real breakthrough. Four to five feet tall and wide, to zone 5, and the plant comes in red and pink, as well as white. Available spring 2013.

Red Wall™ Virginia Creeper
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'Troki')

Yeah, I know ... nobody is supposed to like this native plant, but I love it for its fall color. When it pops into my back yard, I just let it ramble away. This particular cultivar was developed to hide stockade fences, and at 20 feet tall, it just might do the job. To zone 3, it's a perfect candidate to hide ugly fences that sometimes are on your neighbor's side of the property line. Available summer 2012 in garden centers.