Home » Plants & Animals » Gardening Techniques » New Plants for 2004

New Plants for 2004

© Diana Pederson

Last year I had the privilege of trialing several plants in my garden that are being introduced this spring. These are from the Pan American Seed company will be available in garden centers this spring. We are currently in the middle of a Michigan snowstorm and I am sitting here enjoying the memories of last year's garden. Here are the plants that stick in my mind. You'll want to add these to your garden this year. You'll be glad you did!

Pearl Royal Ageratum

This plant produced prolific blooms all season without necessary deadheading. They withstood high temperatures without wilting or showing stress. Unlike other ageratums, I had no mildew problems even when it was hot and humid. I grew them around the edge of a containerized Japanese Maple.

Guardian Blue Delphinium

These plants were grown in a 12" flower pot. They performed well in a western exposure garden. I appreciated their shorter size since they were the proper height for the 12" high flower pots. They would also do well grown in the middle of a perennial border. I also grew the white form of this Delphinium.

Trachelium - Devotion Series

This is a totally new plant to me. It grows approximately 1 foot tall and is covered with "queens Anne Lace-like" flower heads. I find it hard to describe the colors. These plants were so unusual that many of my neighbors were asking where I got them. I had the privilege of telling them they wouldn't be available until the spring of 2004. I used them in flower pots so I could move them to fill in holes in my newly planted perennial garden. They would make an outstanding border all by themselves. I noticed that butterflies appreciated their nectar.

If I can find it locally by the flat, I will fill in any holes in my perennial garden with this plant. It is showy enough to attract the attention of both my neighbors and the local butterfly population.

AMAZONROSEMAGIC

This is a must-have flower for the middle of your border. Although it is an annual that will have to be replaced each year, it is well-worth the price. Each flower looks multi-colored because the individual flowers in the flower head change colors as they age. I had a hard time believing it was a Dianthus. It should be available in both flats or as individual plants this spring. Look for it by name! It is available from Burpee as seeds.

The copyright of the article New Plants for 2004 in Gardening Techniques is owned by . Permission to republish New Plants for 2004 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.