New & Featured Perennials for 2026
'Dre's Dagger' Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)
Lady Ferns are a reliable choice for shade, valued for their fine texture and adaptability. This selection adds something unique, with a distinctive crisscross pattern that forms a subtle dagger-like shape when viewed from above. Light green foliage is set off by reddish stems, adding contrast in woodland settings. Its compact size makes it easy to place at the front of a border or a smaller space.
- Finely divided foliage with a crisscross pattern and pointed tips.
- Dense, clumping growth with a neat appearance.
- Rich, moist, well-drained soil; best with consistent moisture. Part to full shade.
- 30-60 cm (12-24 in.) Sp. 30-60 cm (12-24 in.) Zone 3
'Raspberry Ripple' Coneflower (Echinacea sp.)
Coneflowers are a staple in today’s garden, known for their long bloom time and ability to handle heat and drought. ‘Raspberry Ripple’ stands out with large, fully double raspberry pink flowers up to 4 ½ inches wide with a dark centre, giving it a fuller look than most. It fits well into sunny borders and cutting gardens, with the added benefit of winter interest and attracting both pollinators and birds.
- Large, fully double raspberry pink flowers with dark central eyes from mid to late summer; attracts pollinators.
- Strong, well-branched stems support numerous blooms above a mound of dark green foliage.
- Excellent cut flower. Seedheads provide winter interest and food for birds.
- Average to poor, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established. Full sun.
- 55-65 cm (22-26 in.) Sp. 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) Zone 4
'Perfect Edging' Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
Fescue grasses are valued for their hardiness and ability to handle difficult conditions. This new variety is a departure from the more commonly used low-growing types, offering a taller habit that works well through the middle of the border. Medium green blades edged in creamy white give it a bright, variegated effect. Airy, lightly tinted flowers rise above the foliage in early summer and mature to tan seedheads later in the season, while it continues to perform well in heat, drought, and poorer soils.
- Variegated medium green foliage with creamy white margins; brightest in the spring.
- Upright, clumping habit.
- Tan seedheads appear in early summer and persist.
- Average to poor, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established. Full sun to part shade.
- 75-85 cm (30-34 in.) (Scape height) Sp. 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) Zone 3
'Rays for Days' False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
False Sunflower is a tough, long-blooming perennial suited to sunny locations. Unlike older varieties that grow tall, this new selection stays more compact while forming a dense, well-branched clump. It produces an abundance of large, fully double golden yellow blooms with a zinnia-like appearance.
- Large, fully double golden yellow flowers from mid to late summer; attracts pollinators.
- Dense, bushy habit with sturdy stems that hold up well.
- Excellent cut flower.
- Average, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established. Full sun to part shade
- 60-65 cm (24-26 in.) Sp. 45-50 cm (18-20 in.) Zone 3
'Dark and Handsome' Hellebore (Helleborus sp.)
Hellebores are among the earliest spring perennials to bloom, flowering as soon as the snow melts for over six weeks. ‘Dark and Handsome’ produces striking, near black blooms that stand out in the shade garden. This easy-to-grow perennial is well suited to naturalize in a sheltered, woodland or shade garden.
- 3” near black flowers in early spring; bee friendly.
- Forms a low clump of semi-evergreen umbrella shaped leaves.
- Deer/rabbit resistant
- Fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Partial shade to shade.
- 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) Sp. 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) Zone 4
'Garnet Globes' Hardy Hibiscus
Hardy Hibiscus bring large, tropical-looking flowers to colder climates. This new selection is more compact than older varieties, while still producing an abundance of huge 7 inch blooms. From late summer into fall, deep garnet red colour with dark centres add strong colour just as many perennials begin to fade.
- Large garnet red flowers with dark eyes bloom late summer into fall; attracts pollinators
- Forms a compact clump with broad, dark green foliage
- Average to moist, well-drained soil. Full sun to part shade.
- 90-105 cm (3-3 ½ ft.) Sp. 90 cm (3 ft.) Zone 4
'Iridescent' Coralbells (Heuchera sp.)
With their colourful mounding foliage, coralbells are a perennial favourite for both shady and sunny areas. This new variety features a unique blend of soft, pearly lavender and rose tones, held in a tight, compact mound. Vigorous and more sun tolerant than many, it offers reliable, season-long interest. May prove more winter hardy than noted.
- Low mound of pearly lavender and rose-toned foliage, semi-evergreen.
- Airy stems of light pink flowers appear from late spring into summer.
- Average to fertile, well-drained soil. Shade to sun.
- 25cm (10in.) (foliage only) Sp. 40 cm (16 in.) Zone 4
'Emperor's New Clothes' Hosta (Hosta sp.)
Hostas are among the best perennials for shady locations, known for their versatility and bold foliage. This new variety is especially unique and eye-catching. Leaves emerge nearly white in spring before developing green flecking over time. It forms a substantial clump of broad, coarse foliage and produces near white flowers in early summer.
- Near white foliage in spring, developing green flecking over time.
- Forms a large clump of broad leaves
- Near white flowers appear in early summer; attracts hummingbirds.
- Average to fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Part shade to full shade.
- 50 cm (21 in.) Sp. 90-105cm (36-42 in.) Zone 3
'Fiddles on Fire' Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Siberian irises are valued for their range of colours and how easy they are to use in the landscape. This smaller variety stands out with vibrant mauve-rose blooms highlighted by bright yellow flares and fine veining. Flowers appear in early summer, blooming after bearded irises but before Japanese and Hybrid irises. The grassy foliage remains attractive throughout the season and performs well even in wet areas.
- Mauve-rose flowers with yellow flares and delicate veining in early summer; attracts pollinators and hummingbirds
- Forms a tidy clump of upright, grassy foliage.
- Deer/ rabbit resistant.
- Average, moist to wet soil. Sun to part shade.
- 50 cm (20 in.) Sp. 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) Zone 3
'Catwalk Queen' Catmint (Nepeta sp.)
This impressive new catmint is a garden essential, with lavender-blue flowers more than twice the size of typical varieties. It is one of the longest blooming perennials in the garden, with longer flower spikes that help extend the display. Compact and sturdy, catmint works well along the front of the border and handles hot, dry spots with ease. Occasional deadheading will keep it flowering throughout the summer.
- Large lavender-blue flowers on long spikes from early summer into fall; attracts pollinators.
- Forms a low spreading clump with thick foliage and sturdy stems; aromatic when crushed.
- Deer/rabbit resistant.
- Average to poor, well drained soil; drought tolerant once established. Full sun.
- 25-30 cm (10-12 in.) Sp. 45-50 cm (18-20 in.) Zone 3
'Lemon Purrfection' Catmint (Nepeta sp.)
An improved version of ‘Chartreuse on the Loose’, ‘Lemon Purrfection’ has all the desirable features of other catmint varieties, plus built-in colour contrast with violet-blue flowers against bright gold foliage. A low, tidy habit completes the package with this all-star perennial.
Masses of violet-blue flowers continuously all summer through fall; attracts pollinators.
- Forms a low, tidy clump of bright gold, aromatic foliage.
Deer/rabbit resistant.
Average to poor, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established. Full sun.
Ht. 25-30cm (10-12 in.) Sp. 45-50cm (18-20 in.) Zone 3
'Candy Cloud Blue' Hybrid Phlox (Phlox sp.)
This new hybrid phlox is a great choice for adding strong spring colour to the front of the border. Unlike creeping phlox, it handles more shade while still being smothered in flowers. Bright periwinkle blue flowers blanket the rounded mound and carry a light lilac-like scent. Flowering after creeping phlox for six to eight weeks, it extends colour into early summer and can be cut back for a second flush. May prove more winter hardy than noted.
- Masses of bright periwinkle blue flowers with a light fragrance in spring; attracts pollinators.
- Forms a low mound with a neat, compact habit.
- Average, well drained soil. Sun to part shade.
- 35-40 cm (14-16 in.) Sp. 35-40 cm (14-16 in.) Zone 4
'Prairie Princess' Ironweed (Vernonia sp.)
Ironweed is a tough prairie wildflower that handles a wide range of conditions and adds strong late-season colour. In late summer, clusters of rosy purple flowers cover the plant and really stand out. Compared to the wild species, this selection stays more compact, with sturdy stems that stay upright and improved mildew resistance. Foliage remains attractive throughout the season.
- Clusters of rosy purple flowers in late summer into fall; attracts pollinators.
- Upright clump of dark green foliage with a subtle silver cast.
- Improved mildew resistance.
- Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poorer sites. Full sun.
- 65-75 cm (26-30 in.) Sp. 75-90cm (30-36 in.) Zone 4