Sneak Peak - New Perennials for 2024
December 17, 2023
Every year we endeavor to introduce or re-introduce dozens of new perennial varieties for Alberta gardeners to try. Here is a sneak peak at some of what is coming to Greenland’s perennials department next year! Be sure to check back on our website for more announcements in the coming months.
Cypripedium ‘Frosch’s Alaskan Beauty’ – Dwarf Lady’s Slipper
- A selected clone of a hybrid between two Arctic species of lady’s slippers, which will have uniform characteristics.
- Unique and rare hardy garden orchid, with bucket-shaped blooms in spring.
- Petite, stoloniferous growth habit: a “groundcover” lady’s slipper!
- For moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a cool, shady location.
- Reaches 4-6 in. tall, eventually forming a patch several feet across.
Dactylorhiza hybrids – Marsh Orchid
- Hybrids between northern European species of orchids are robust, vigorous, and surprisingly hardy.
- Spikes of showy flowers appear in early summer, in shades of pink and purple.
- Clumps of strap-shaped leaves may or may not be spotted with purple-black.
- Plant in moist, well-drained soil in sun to part shade; excellent for rock gardens.
- Reaches 12-18 in. tall and wide.
Iris sibirica ‘Colonel Mustard’ – Siberian Iris
- Early summer blooms in an unusual colour for Siberian Iris, with mustard-yellow falls and creamy white standards that have a blue tinge at the base.
- Bulletproof hardiness and ease of growth.
- Forms an upright clump of grassy foliage that looks attractive all season.
- Plant in average soil in sun to light shade; tolerates wet soil and periods of drought.
- Grows 2-3 feet tall and 18-24 in. wide.
Opuntia polyacantha ‘Dusty Pink’ – Prickly Pear Cactus
- One of a number of cultivars of this hardy, Alberta native cactus that will be available in 2024.
- This one has light pink flowers in summer.
- Produces a low, spreading patch of prickly “pads”; flowers are followed by edible fruits.
- Plant in poor, dry, sharply-drained soil in a hot, sun-baked location; excellent for rock gardens and xeriscaping.
- Reaches 6-8 in. tall and up to 3 feet wide.
Paeonia lutea ‘Souvenir de Maxime Cornu’ – Tree Peony
- A woody version of the peony that grows into a shrub.
- Enormous flowers in early summer are double, in a shade of pale apricot, overlaid with rosy-pink.
- Do not cut back in fall as this is a woody plant; instead; trim off dead growth in spring once the plant starts budding out.
- Plant in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered location and mulch for winter; plant the graft union 6-8 in. deep.
- Grows 3 ft. tall and wide.
Paeonia rockii hybrids – Chinese Tree Peony
- These are the hardiest tree peonies to try on the Prairies.
- Several varieties will be available with huge, double flowers in early summer, including Eagle Wings, Nightsky, Sweet Magic, Vintage, and Noble Crown.
- Do not cut back in fall as this is a woody plant; instead; trim off dead growth in spring once the plant starts budding out.
- Plant in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered location and mulch for winter.
- Grows 3 ft. tall and wide.
Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ – Summer Phlox
- PPA Perennial Plant of the Year 2024
- Masses of fragrant, lilac-pink flowers will repeat bloom from midsummer until fall frosts and attract bees and butterflies.
- Forms a clump of tall, sturdy stems with powdery mildew-resistant foliage.
- Plant in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun and avoid overcrowdin.
- Grows 3-4 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide.
Saxifraga ‘Saturn’ – Kabschia Saxifrage
- A rare and choice alpine plant.
- Soft apricot-coloured flowers in spring.
- Forms a tight cushion of evergreen, needle-like foliage.
- Plant in moist, sharply-drained soil in a cool, shady alpine garden.
- Grows up to 4 in. tall and 8 in. wide.