Pinky Winky™ Hydrangea
(Hydrangea paniculata 'DVPpinky')
I planted one of these late last summer, and I can't wait to see the blooms this year. If it lives up to its PR, it should be a garden classic: 12-16 inch upright blooms (white, turning pink) on strong stems that prevent flopping; 6-8 feet at maturity; takes sun or part shade; and once established, it's drought-tolerant. To Zone 4. Developed by Dr. Johan Van Huylenbroeek at the Flemish DVP breeding station. As a hedge or a specimen, this paniculata would likely be terrific. So let's see if it lives up to its promises.
Weigela florida 'Eyecatcher'
There's always room for another weigela, especially when they're small, like this one. It only reaches two feet in height, so yes, it would be perfect in a container, as in the photo. With chartreuse leaves and dark red flowers, it would also fit well into tiny townhouse gardens, deck planters, or small backyard patios. Weigela don't look like much after they flower, so the yellow-ish leaves are an added attraction. Zone 4, part sun is best, tolerant of most soils. Developed by noted British plantsman David Tristram.
Lil' Kim™ Hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus 'Antong Two')
I'm trying out two of these -- one in Washington DC and the other on the Massachusetts coast. Said to be the first dwarf Rose of Sharon, it reaches 3 to 4 feet at maturity, has white flowers with a red eye, and the blooms remain on the plant longer than usual.
To Zone 5, full sun and tolerant of most soil conditions. Again, a plant this size would make the Rose of Sharon practical for smaller gardens, and a mass of them would certainly look nice in the right sunny border. It also attracts butterflies. Developed by Dr. Shim Kyong-ku, a noted authority on woody plants, at South Korea's Sungkyunkwan University.
Bangle™ Genista (Genista lydia 'Select')
Dyer's Greenwood (or Common Woadwaxen) is not on my radar scope, but perhaps it should be. According to Dirr, it's a good low plant for poor, dry areas, and he says the few he's seen are "quite handsome" and "would make a good addition to the landscape."
This new one is said to produce waves of electric yellow flowers in early spring that make it very showy in the landscape. The branching and texture are supposedly better than others, and since it's only two feet high at maturity, it would work well in containers or massed in front of taller plants. Zone 4, full sun, tolerant of most soils. Native to the Balkans, this is a selection of G. lydia developed by Dick Punnett of Michigan.
images: www.provenwinners.com
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