2022 New Perennials - Sneak Peak
December 19, 2021
Bob and Joe are excited, as always, to talk about some of the new varieties that Greenland is planning to carry next year. They have selected some of their favourites to offer plant lovers a sneak peak of what’s to come.
In part due to challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as recent devastating flooding in BC, the horticulture industry is expecting to experience shortages of plant material once again in 2022. As such, we would like to offer a fair warning that some of these varieties may be in short supply or may end up being unavailable altogether despite our best efforts to secure stock. As of December 2021, all of these varieties are confirmed on order from our suppliers.
Ajuga reptans ‘Pleasant Pheasant’ - Bugleweed
A new entry to the Feathered Friends series of bugleweeds, which itself debuted just this year (2021). This line introduced some incredible new colours to the genus, which allow for spectacular groundcover displays in shady areas. ‘Pleasant Pheasant’ boasts coppery-pink new growth which matures to bright yellow. In spring, deep-blue flowers will contrast against the leaves, but you will have this showy foliage all season.
Plant with darker-leaved plants such as ‘Noble Nightingale’ bugleweed (from this same line) or ‘Obsidian’ coralbells for a really dramatic effect. One of our growers, located on the Sunshine Coast of BC, remarked that these plants were able to withstand 45ºC heat this past summer, so we know these plants will excel in our own hot summers, provided they are in the right location. Bugleweed likes fertile, moist, well-drained soil and partial shade; you will get the best foliage colour with some direct morning sun. These will be 4-6” tall x 18” wide and should be hardy to zone 3 like most other bugleweeds.
Artemisia gmelinii ‘SunFern Arcadia’ and ‘SunFern Olympia’ – Russian Wormwood
An interesting couple of introductions which certainly look like ferns, although they are actually a type of wormwood or sage – related to things like silver mound sage and mugwort.
These plants have aromatic foliage, and many wild species have medicinal uses. These two particular varieties should have a lot of value in xeriscaping and in sunny locations in general with poor soil, since they have the look of a fern which would not grow in such conditions. They will also make lovely additions to annual containers. These are both compact plants growing about 18” x 18”, but Arcadia has tighter growth compared to Olympia. Hardy to at least zone 4, likely zone 3.
Delphinium elatum ‘Red Lark’
With ‘Red Lark’, Bob and Joe are reminded of a Delphinium cultivar that debuted some 15 years ago (when Joe was a teenaged hobbyist) called ‘Red Caroline’, which was the first red Delphinium ever introduced to the mass market. Unfortunately, it proved to be a weak grower and a short-lived plant, and soon disappeared from the market. We have high hopes that this successor will fare better in gardens. If it does, its spires of coral-red flowers in summer will be unlike anything else available.
This is a compact grower, reaching about 2 feet in height, and should not need support. Like all Delphiniums, it will grow best in a sunny location on average soil, and will be hardy to at least zone 3.
Hosta ‘First Blush’
Introduced several years ago, this is the first-ever red-leaved Hosta cultivar, and we have waited until the price came down to a more reasonable level before offering it for sale. The caveat is that the foliage only has a red tinge in the spring/early summer, and later matures to solid green, so temper your expectations! However, this opens the door for future Hosta breeding with the goal of leaves that retain the red colour and is a fun conversation piece and a must-have for Hosta collectors. Of course, it also offers some drama in the spring garden.
It should reach 1′ tall x 2′ wide (without the flowers), and will be just as hardy and easy to grow as any Hosta, preferring a shady location (though it likely has some sun tolerance) and moist, fertile soil.
Hosta ‘Silly String’
We actually have a number of new Hosta coming in 2022 that we are excited about, so it is hard to narrow it down. This one is essentially a blue version of ‘Curly Fries’, which has been a popular variety since its introduction a few years ago. It has super-narrow leaves with very wavy margins, giving it a unique character in the garden. ‘Silly String’ is a larger and more robust plant than ‘Curly Fries’, reaching 14” tall x 28” wide (without the flowers). We suggest growing in a shady position to keep the blue colour from fading.
Iris x pseudata ‘Shiryukyo’
The first “pseudata” type of Iris, called ‘Yarai’, was introduced to the market this year (2021) and we are very impressed with it. This type of Iris results from crossing the yellow flag Iris (I. pseudacorus) with the Japanese Iris (I. ensata). The yellow flag is a vigorous grower – so much so that it is considered a noxious weed in Alberta, while Japanese Iris is revered for its huge, beautiful flowers but is not the most reliable plant in our climate. Combine the two and we hope to see vigorous plants that will endure in gardens and put on a spectacular display, without an aggressive nature.
These should also do well in wet locations or even as a marginal pond plant. As the second of this type of Iris to be released, ‘Shiryukyo’ has large, purple flowers with yellow eyes in early summer. The grassy foliage is attractive when not blooming. For a sunny location with average soil; about 4 feet tall and wide, and we expect it to be hardy to zone 3.
Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Chameleon’ – Little Bluestem
It’s been a while since something truly unique was introduced in the realm of Prairie-hardy perennial grasses, so this is a remarkable one. Little bluestem is a species native to the Prairies, which normally has bluish-green foliage that, in modern cultivars, turns a beautiful smoky-purple colour in late summer to fall. This selection has white-striped foliage that turns reddish-purple later in the season. The look of the plant when the foliage is turning reminds Bob and Joe of Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’, a selection of purple fountain grass that is popular in annual planters.
This will be a good choice for hot, sunny locations with drier, poor soil. It is a well-behaved, clump-forming grass that reaches 40” tall x 20” wide and will be hardy to at least zone 4, likely zone 3. Little bluestem and all its cultivars are collectively named the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial Plant of the Year for 2022.
Sedum ‘Back in Black’ – Stonecrop
The newest entry in the Rock n’ Grow series of stonecrops, which are a collection of beautiful mound-forming succulents. As you might expect, this is a dark-leaved variety, with near-black foliage. Dusky pink flowers will also appear in fall, which are bee magnets at a time when they really need food to prepare for winter. Bob loves the reference to one of his favourite bands!
Stonecrops are invaluable plants for hot and sunny areas and are very drought tolerant. This one reaches 24” tall x 30” wide and is hardy to zone 3.