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