New Perennials for 2023

January 15, 2023

Campanula chamissonis (Alpine Bellflower)

China-blue bell-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer will attract pollinators; deadhead to prolong blooming.
Forms a mat of glossy foliage.
Ideal for alpine/rock gardens or as a groundcover; moist, gritty, sharply drained, slightly alkaline soil and sun to part shade.
Ht. 10cm (4 in.) Sp. 30cm (12 in.) Zone 3

Clematis ‘Wildfire’

Large, out-facing, purple flowers with red central bars appear in early summer on last year’s growth, then again from midsummer to fall on the current year’s growth.
Climbing vine that can be grown on a support or allowed to trail along the ground as a groundcover.
Fertile, moist, well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. Plant 15cm (6 in.) deeper than pot level and mulch for winter. Prune to the highest set of healthy buds each spring.
Ht. 2.5-3.5m (8-10 ft.) Sp. 1.2m (4 ft.) Zone 4

Cypripedium ‘Ulla Silkens’ (Lady’s Slipper)

Slipper shaped, white flowers with a variable amount of purple-pink spotting and blushing in early summer.
Forms a clump of fuzzy leaves that gradually increases in the number of shoots and flowers each year.
A hardy orchid that is perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders; loose, fertile, moist, well-drained soil and part shade.
Ht. 30-60cm (1-2 ft.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 3

Dianthus ‘Vivid Cherry Charm’ (Cheddar Pinks)

New reblooming variety with masses of fragrant, intense cerise-red flowers from late spring to fall; will attract pollinators.
Forms a low, spreading clump of evergreen, blue-green foliage.
Ideal for rock gardens or border edging; average, well-drained soil and full sun (tolerates periods of drought once established).
Ht. 10-15cm (4-6 in.) Sp. 45-50cm (18-20 in.) Zone 3/4

Fritillaria imperialis ‘Argenteovariegata’ (Variegated Crown Imperial)

Crown-like clusters of orange flowers atop upright stems in spring.
Forms a clump of stems that are clad in creamy-white striped leaves; goes dormant after flowering.
An unusual lily relative for fertile, moist, well-drained soil and full sun.
Ht. 60-120cm (2-4 ft.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 4

Gentiana ‘Little Pinkie’ (Pink Summer Gentian)

Tubular, up-facing, intense purple-pink flowers in summer to fall.
Forms a low mound of glossy foliage.
Ideal for rock gardens and border edging; fertile, moist, well-drained soil and sun to part shade.
Ht. 15cm (6 in.) Sp. 20-30cm (8-12 in.) Zone 3/4

Geranium pratense ‘Summer Skies’ (Double Meadow Cranesbill)

Masses of fragrant, double, soft violet-blue flowers appear all summer; attracts pollinators.
Forms a mound of divided foliage.mContributes real flower power to any average border; average, well-drained soil and sun to part shade (drought tolerant once established).
Ht. 45-60cm (18-24 in.) Sp. 60-75cm (24-30 in.) Zone 3

Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Intense’ (Cambridge Cranesbill)

Masses of intense magenta-pink flowers in summer; long blooming and attracts pollinators.
Forms a low, mounding mat of divided foliage which displays red fall colour.
Excellent as a groundcover or edging plant in borders and woodland gardens; average, well-drained soil and sun to part shade (drought tolerant once established).
Ht. 20-25cm (8-10 in.) Sp. 45-60cm (18-24 in.) Zone 3

Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Funky Spinner’ (False Sunflower)

Double, golden-yellow flowers with red centres in summer to fall; attracts pollinators.
Forms a compact, upright clump of black-tinged foliage.
Exceptionally long bloom time and easy to grow; average, moist, well-drained soil and full sun.
Ht. 75cm (30 in.) Sp. 60cm (24 in.) Zone 3

Helleborus ‘Rio Carnival’ (Hellebore)

Pale yellow flowers heavily speckled with deep burgundy in spring.
Forms a compact clump of glossy, evergreen foliage.
One of the first perennials to bloom, sometimes when there is still snow on the ground; ideal for woodland gardens with fertile, moist, well-drained soil and shade.
Ht. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Sp. 45-60cm (18-24 in.) Zone 4

Hosta ‘Ki Ren Jyaku’

Double, pale mauve flowers in summer are unusual for a Hosta.
Forms a mounding clump of chartreuse-yellow foliage.
Reliable contrast plant for shady areas; fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Ht. 60cm (2 ft.) (with flowers) Sp. 45-60cm (18-24 in.) Zone 2

Hosta ‘Trendsetter’

Forms a mounding clump of rippled leaves with creamy-yellow margins.
Lily-like, pale lavender flowers on tall stems in summer.
Reliable contrast plant for shady areas; fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Ht. 70-80cm (28-32 in.) (with flowers) Sp. 100cm (40 in.) Zone 2

Iris sibirica ‘Rikugi Sakura’ (Siberian Iris)

Double, lavender-pink flowers with yellow centres in early summer.
Forms an upright clump of grass-like foliage.
Easily grown, reliable plant for any sunny border; also great for wet areas.
Ht. 75cm (30 in.) Sp. 45-60cm (18-24 in.) Zone 2

Iris x pseudata ‘Shiryukyo’ (Pseudata Iris)

Large, rich purple flowers with yellow centres in summer.
Forms an upright clump of grassy foliage.
Vigorous, reliable plant for any sunny border; also great for wet areas.
Ht. 120cm (4 ft.) Sp. 90-120cm (3-4 ft.) Zone 3

Paeonia ‘Love Affair’ (Itoh Peony)

Large, semi-double, white flowers in early summer; white is a rare colour in Itoh peonies.
Forms an upright, bushy clump of deep green, divided foliage.
A reliable plant with huge flowers that does not require support and does not attract ants. Fertile, moist, well-drained soil and sun to light shade.
Ht. 90cm (3 ft.) Sp. 90cm (3 ft.) Zone 3

Paeonia ‘Solange’ (Herbaceous Peony)

Large, double, off-white flowers with a salmon-pink blush in summer; very unusual colouration.
Forms an upright, bushy clump of divided foliage.
Rare collector variety that is a reliable plant for the sunny border with fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Ht. 90cm (3 ft.) Sp. 90cm (3 ft.) Zone 2

Paeonia ‘Shima Nishiki’ (Tree Peony)

Large, semi-double, intense magenta flowers with white markings in early summer.
Forms an upright, bushy clump with woody growth.
Plant 15cm (6 in.) deeper than pot level in a sheltered location and mulch for winter; prune back to the highest healthy buds in spring. Fertile, moist, well-drained soil and sun to light shade.
Ht. 90cm (3 ft.) Sp. 90cm (3 ft.) Zone 4

Phlox paniculata ‘Orchid Yellow’ (Summer Phlox)

Large clusters of fragrant pink flowers with greenish-yellow edges in summer; attracts pollinators.
Forms an upright clump.
Reliable, long blooming perennial for an average sunny border with well-drained soil.
Ht. 60-75cm (24-30 in.) Sp. 45-60cm (18-24 in.) Zone 3

Polemonium ‘Golden Feathers’ (Variegated Jacob’s Ladder)

Fragrant, indigo-blue flowers in late spring to summer.
Forms a clump of divided, gold-edged leaves.
Lends excellent contrast to shady areas; fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Ht. 15-20cm (6-8 in.) 30-35cm (12-14 in.) Zone 3

Primula auricula ‘Crimson Glow’ (Double Auricula Primrose)

Double, deep crimson flowers in spring.
Forms a dwarf clump of succulent, evergreen leaves.
A rare collector variety that is perfect for the shady alpine/rock garden or woodland garden; fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Ht. 10-15cm (4-6 in.) Sp. 20-30cm (8-12 in.) Zone 3

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Shining Star’ (Variegated Little Bluestem)

Ornamental grass that forms an upright clump of blue-green, white striped leaves, which gradually turn smoky red as the season progresses.
Tan flower spikes appear in late summer to fall.
Amazing contrast in hot, dry areas with poor soil; warm season grass that emerges late.
Ht. 75cm (30 in.) Sp. 45-60cm (18-24 in.) Zone 3

Tanacetum coccineum ‘Garden Treasure’ (Dwarf Painted Daisy)

Daisy like, intense magenta-pink flowers with yellow centres appear all summer; attracts pollinators.
Forms a low mound of ferny foliage.
Totally unique variety that is perfect for rock garden or border edging; average to poor, well-drained soil (drought tolerant once established).
Ht. 30cm (1 ft.) Sp. 30cm (1 ft.) Zone 3

Viola pedata ‘Eco Artist Palette’ (Bird’s Foot Violet)

Masses of lilac-blue flowers with purple tips rebloom sporadically from late spring to fall.
Forms a low mound of divided foliage.
Perfect edger for a sunny border; average, moist, well-drained soil.
Ht. 10-15cm (4-6 in.) Sp. 30-35cm (12-14 in.) Zone 4