What’s New for 2008

What are some of the exciting new cultivars to watch for this season?

Proven Winners is sending out dozens of new introductions to businesses across North America including these:

Superbells - You’ve heard of Supertunias and Million Bells, but you’ve probably not heard of Superbells, a line of calibrachoa from Proven Winners. The original plants were found in coastal areas clinging to rocks and surviving in some pretty harsh conditions; they so much resembled Petunias that they were originally referred to as ‘Seashore Petunias’. Sounds perfect for our Maritime conditions! Developed and selected for their large flowers and disease resistance, these plants are well suited to containers, patios, or in the garden. Growth habit is prostrate. Available in some delicious sounding shades including Apricot Punch, Dreamsicle, Saffron, Scarlet, Tangerine, White and Yellow Chiffon.

Impatiens are terrific for the shade and double impatiens take that attribute to an even higher level with fuller blooms. The Rockapulco line has miniature rose-like buds from all shades of white through purple, pink and red to light up any shady area.

Ornamental grasses continue to gain in popularity and you’ll want to add this one to your collection. 'Eldorado', a Calamagrostis acutiflora cultivar has unusual gold variegated foliage. The narrow green leaves have a bright gold center, which radiates out in the sunlight. Attractive tan wheat-like seeds appear in early summer and persist all season. It’s great as a cut flower, dried flower, or for winter interest and is drought tolerant. It grows 48 to 60 inches tall.

The ‘Dalina’ dahlia hybrid produces masses of colour from spring till frost. It attracts butterflies and is available in a wide palette of jewel tone colours growing only 8 to 12 inches tall. If you’re drawn to the unusual, you’ll love ‘Sizzle Scissors', also known as the Copperleaf Plant. It has bold, yet finely diced foliage enhanced with pink edging and hints of minty green. It’s also adaptable as a houseplant when autumn arrives.

Here’s another oddity bound to generate comments - ‘Sunny Zara' is an osteospermum hybrid (African Daisy) that blooms profusely all season. The reddish-purple petals have an unusual spoon shape. Deadheading is not necessary and the plant has a nice mounding habit.