'New Perennials' - Thumbs up and Thumbs down?

12 years ago

Hello from northern Vermont. I have a greenhouse/perennial business (nope, don't do mail orders, so this is NOT a plug) and next week I am giving a presentation on "New perennials and annuals for northern gardeners."

I seem to be in a particularly cold pocket and many of my customers from 20 minutes away are at least one zone warmer than my place. However - I will only sell plants that do well for me. And I (blush) don't mess around with finding the perfect micro-climate.

This said - I have trialed and failed with the following plants - Kim's knee high echinacea - Endless Summer hydranges - monarda petite delight - orange and yellow echinaceas - splish splash geranium (dreadful mildew/fungi) - etc.

There are plenty of relatively new perennials that I love - 'Jack Frost' brunnera, Brit Marie Crawford ligularia, pandora's box hosta, etc. Others have overwintered, but I am waiting to see performance.

I'd love to hear any of your experiences/suggestions. Thanks! Amanda (Amanda's Greenhouses and Perennials)

Comments (4)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
12 years ago
I guess I'm too late. I was going to say Fatal Attraction echinacea does well for my zone 5.

tj
tcskitten
12 years ago
As you can see Amanda..I am in Z 5b...and all that you mention, do very well here. However, what does POORLY are the Echinacea Sunset varieties! Not so much as a stem is apparent come the following summer. At $25 a pot, the garden centers do NOT guarantee them ... something I discovered after my "Tomatoe", and "Harvest Moon" failed to reappear.

Faye in Nova Scotia
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Amandas Greenhouse
Original Author
12 years ago
OUCH Faye - that's an expensive perennial. What about campanula 'Sarasota' - anyone? It overwintered fine in a pot but was barely there in the garden. I was surprised that the yellow 'proven winner' shasta daisy overwintered, ('Banana Cream?') but it seems to be a total bug magnet compared to the other shastas. All of the blooms are disfigured.

Here is a link that might be useful: (My Place)
diane_v_44
12 years ago
Nice that you posted your blog and gardens here for a look see

Do you have the red lily bug at all affecting any of your plants

THe only plant listed that I have grown successfully in Barrie, Canada, is Endless Summer Hydranges