by Lis Friemoth
Gardeners looking for color, scent, taste of the tropics
With all of the breeding work being done, there really
is no reason for any gardener out there to have any difficulty
finding plants to play with in the dirt.
Whether those plants gardeners are searching for are
the latest and greatest or old standards, check with
the area’s quality garden centers. They are striving
to fill the needs for annual plants.
So what is going to be “hot” this year? Color in foliage.
Color and scent in flowers. And I’m looking forward to
seeing more tropical plants so that we can fill our landscapes
with outlandishly huge and interesting leaves.
Color in foliage
Look for the new Iresine or Perilla plants. These plants
really became popular a few years ago with the mainstream
availability of Perilla Magilla. Some gardeners loved
it, some not so much.
Last year, Iresine Blazin’ Rose was all over the place.
If you were out and about at all, you couldn’t miss seeing
those pretty leaf shades of deep maroon to pink. This
year, the new one available is Blazin’ Lime. The color
is as you would expect — very lime. As an added bonus
to the variegated lime leaves, the stems present a funky
contrast in red. I had an opportunity to see these in
the University of Georgia trial garden setting and they
were spectacular in form and color.
Blazin’ Rose was about 3 feet tall and a bit wider,
Blazin’ Lime was about the same. Up in this neck of the
woods, expect a good 2 feet of height. The color on both
of mine held very well throughout the season. Be sure
to get the pinching-back done early in the growing season
to encourage good, strong branching; otherwise, the plants
have a tendency to develop a rather weak and spindly
branching structure. Full sun to partial shade in well-drained
soil is best.
Another upright lime foliage plant that works very well
is Solenostemon Lime Velvet (coleus). This one has fantastic
coloring, in addition to all of the traditional ease
of coleus. Plant this in sites typical for coleus and
you will be fine.
Check the Acalyphas out because you will find incredible
leaf colors of burgundy, copper, and yellows. This species
has been around for awhile, but is just finding its way
into the greenhouses and our hearts.
Acalypha wilkesiana Kona Coast is a beaut — very bold
and striking yellow-green variegation that can make almost
any plant combination or container pop. Full sun in well-drained
soil is a must for optimal performance.
One of my absolute favorites over the past three years
(that will hopefully be found in the greenhouses and
garden centers this year) is Manihot esculenta Variegata
(variegated tapioca). This tropical plant has an understated
impact within its calming coloration of cream and green
variegation on deeply indented, palmate foliage, with
pretty reddish pink petioles and stems. It is a tropical,
so be sure to put it outside only after temps are above
50 F at night or you will get cold damage. Although Manihot
loves full sun, a bit of shade will be tolerated. If
the shade is too heavy, the leaf canopy will be a bit
thin and weak. Wet feet are not welcome, if you want
it to survive.
Begonias are always a great summer plant for this area.
These plants just get better and better. In the past
few years, one segment of Begonia breeding focus has
been on the development of gorgeous foliage. It’s all
happening — color combinations that make your eyes really
happy, forms that will provide extreme interest in containers
or planting beds, and even some sun tolerance. This year,
some of the phenomenal choices should be more widely
available.
Color and scent
Color first. You know the saying: what’s old is new
again. Well, in the plant world it is no different. A
native from Australia imported into the United States
almost 20 years ago, Scaevola quickly developed some
loyal fans. If you haven’t given this one a whirl, do
so this year; it’s worth a grow.
Scaevola aemula Cajun Blue (fan flower) is one of the
prettiest blue flowers I have seen. And get this — every
time it got really hot — that plant just laughed it off
and grew better. It will do beautifully if given very
well-drained soil and full sun. The only time Scaevola
suffers is when the feet are wet.
Cuphea (Mexican heather) has so many forms that you
can take your pick. Reds, lavenders, soft tones, vibrant
colors, low, and tall; I have tried many and they all
perform wonderfully in our heat and humidity when sited
in well-drained soils and in full sun. Don’t expect much
early in the spring; they really come into full glory
during the summer. My plants will tough out our summers
and look really good until frost.
Heliotropium (heliotrope) has been an on-again, off-again
garden darling, making it another of those wonderful
plants that has been making people happy for hundreds
of years. The name means turning toward the sun, and
yes, it does do that, making it a good plant to “research”
while sipping summer beverages with fellow gardeners.
While we often look to heliotrope for color, I love
it for the wonderful scent. I tried Heliotropium arborescens
Wanda Repp last year at the insistence of my friend,
and fantastic plantsman Allan Armitage. Once again, he
was right to insist that I try it.
Wanda Repp is a winning plant. It has a full, sturdy
branching form, leaves of medium bright green, flowers
that are a very light lavender color, and the scent is
nicely sweet and soft, not overpowering.
In the past 20 years or so, the focus on heliotrope
breeding has been for color improvements. The results
have been some great deep, rich colors, but along the
way, something had to give. In this case it was the scent.
It’s good to see (well, smell, really) that some of the
past is returning. Grow these in either full sun (watch
the moisture) or partial shade; all siting should be
in well-drained soils.
Phlox have endured a love/hate relationship with many
gardeners, resulting in (unfortunately) the selection
of annual Phlox often being ignored. What a shame! There
are two series that have performed very well in high
heat and humidity: Phlox drummondii Astoria and Phlox
drummondii Intensia. Both series have unbelievable flower
colors (white, purples, and pinks), intensity, and vibrancy
in a healthy-looking plant with no foliage spotting or
discoloration. And get this — no powdery mildew! Give
them a try in a full sun, well-drained situation.
Go tropical
If you haven’t used tropicals in your garden, why not?
Often available at ridiculously low prices, they make
great additions to the outdoor landscape and can be brought
indoors if you become attached to them.
I’m not talking about Colocasia and Alocasia only. Consider
all of those big, leafy houseplants; so many choices,
so little room in the garden. After air temperatures
get above 50 F, they can easily be planted either directly
in the ground, or just dig a hole and drop the entire
container right in.
Think exotic and dare to make an interesting architectural
statement.
— Lis Friemoth is a horticulture diagnostician. Contact her at (262) 745-2904, P.O. Box 58, Springfield, WI 53176, or e-mail her at gardenhoe@tds.net. |
