Proven winners picks

Each year this brand name sends out a whole new family of cultivars to entice gardeners with irresistible colours, more floriferous plants and superior qualities. For 2009 the following have caught my eye amongst the newcomers:

A double flowering clematis - the Belle of Woking, is recommended for container growing. Stretching from six to 12 feet, it has masses of four-inch, silvery mauve, double flowers. It blooms from early to late summer.

The violet tube flower ‘Royal Queen’ belongs to the genus Iochroma hybrid. It’s heat tolerant, attracts hummingbirds and blooms from summer to fall. It grows 36 to 60 inches tall and has unusual clusters of pendulous, tubular blooms that are sure to attract comments.

A skullcap called ‘Scooter’ can be moved inside for the winter and grown as a houseplant after performing outdoors for the summer. With bright red flowers and uniquely shaped petals, this plant is a real showstopper. It grows 10 to 16 in. tall and works well in containers.

The name for one of the new nasturtiums brings a smile - Duckalicious attracts butterflies and has the distinct advantage of not requiring deadheading. Its flowers are fragrant and it has a vine-like growth habit. Colour, as you might expect with a name like Duckalicious, is yellow. This plant will spill over and trail down the sides of containers.

The Infinity series of New Guinea impatiens comes in blushing crimson, cherry red, salmon, white, and lavender. These are vigorous, upright plants with large flowers that will provide great flowering color for shaded areas. Deadheading is not necessary and plants will perform until frost.

There are at least half a dozen new aloe hybrids coming onto the market with speckled, fringed, or tooth-edged foliage. Gardeners with arid, hot conditions will find these will fill the bill nicely to provide a tropical-looking garden.

Black foliage is an eye-catching addition to the landscape and Intrigue, a heat tolerant Canna, brings the added bonus of bright orange flowers. Growing 72 – 96 in. tall, this plant is described as a “thriller” that adds height and drama to the garden or in a large container.

You’ll be able to find these plants and many other Proven Winners on the shelves of your local nursery or garden center this spring.