At the end of March I posted a link to my piece on the Top Ten New Perennials on the website of Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper. The article gives UK sources of these plants but I’ve been asked, in comments to the post and by email, for US sources. So here goes. Not all these plants may be new to the US, of course, and some have not yet crossed the water. I’ve added a few short quotes from my Telegraph piece. Don’t forget you can read the original piece here.
Rather naughtily, I'm tempting you with pictures of two for which I cannot, yet, find US mail order sources! - Geranium pratense 'Laura' (above) and Sedum 'Marchant's Best Red' (below).
Cenolophium denudatum
“resembles a large flowered, perennial version of the annual Bishop's weed (Ammi majus)”
From Thompson and Morgan Seeds
Cortaderia selloana 'Evita'
“superb dwarf introduction from Germany I spotted last year”
Described by Sugar Creek Gardens website, but not yet for sale from them - or anyone else as far as I can see.
Echinacea purpurea 'Green Envy'
“this newcomer from the garden of Mark Veeder in New York State is absolutely unique”
Wayside Gardens
White Flower Farm
Eryngium planum 'Jade Frost'
“dramatic for three seasons of the year”
Wayside Gardens
Euphorbia 'Helena's Blush'
“ideal in permanently planted containers and for sunny corners in good soil”
Garden Crossings
Geranium pratense 'Laura'
“lovely double white form of… meadow cranesbill”
No US source, yet, that I can find. Please let me know if you find a mail order nursery selling this plant.
Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ivory Prince'
“a superb plant for both flowers and foliage”
White Flower Farm
Heuchera 'Rave On'
“for its combination of sparkling foliage and colourful flowers, 'Rave On'… is definitely the pick.’
Great Garden Plants
White Flower Farm
Iris 'Brown Lasso'
“The colouring is exquisite”
Schreiner’s Iris Gardens
Sedum 'Marchant's Best Red'
“the best dark-leaved sedum for all-season foliage colour”
No US source, yet, that I can find. Please let me know if you find a mail order nursery selling this plant.
greeting a spring flower with something like joy....
Posted by: poetryman69 | April 09, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Out of your top ten, perrenials I like the geranium lovely white flower, it should grow okay in my garden and the echinacea is lovely but they just won't grow for me, if i do purchase anotheer echinacea I shall follow your advice to the letter, and keep off with the water can!
Posted by: Digger | April 14, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Yes, digger, the geranium is lovely but that heuchera. 'Rave On', is fantastic. I know some people feel there are just too many heucheras but every so often a really good one appears. The yellow-leaved 'Citronelle' came through the icy and snowy winter here in PA - and the snow melted to reveal it looking as it did in the autumn. It too is a cut above the rest.
Posted by: Graham Rice | April 15, 2008 at 09:13 PM