New varieties

Acer saccharum ‘Hiawatha 1’ Oregon Trail^®

This maple is a prairie-tough Kansas native, selected from local populations of sugar maples growing along the Oregon Trail in northeastern Kansas. A tree with a story, this regal cultivar was chosen from hundreds of brightly colored sugar maples planted in Hiawatha, Kansas, known as “The City of Beautiful Maples.” Dark green, heat and tatter-resistant foliage, brilliant fall color, and strong, storm resistant branch structure recommend it for prairie landscapes and beyond.

For more: jfschmidt.com

Achnatherum calamagrostis Undaunted^® Alpine Plume Grass

Alpine plume grass is a spectacular long-lived grass from high mountain meadows in central and southern Europe. A mature plant makes a dramatic specimen, with several dozen flower heads waving above a graceful fountain of fresh green foliage. The flowers persist from summer until the following spring when the entire plant should be cut back to make room for the new season’s growth. Unlike many other ornamental grasses, the foliage doesn’t die out in the clump’s center over time.

For more: plantselect.org

Amsonia hubrichtii ‘Butterscotch’^™

Amsonia hubrichtii ‘Butterscotch’™ an Emerald Coast Growers exclusive, stands out from the species and other Amsonia for its resistance to tip die-back. ‘Butterscotch’ stays strong and colorful from stem to tip, even in maturity. Vivid reddish stems contrast against rich, golden leaves for gorgeous fall color. Forming upright, graceful mounds, it provides constant movement and texture in gardens and containers and has superior disease resistance as well. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

For more: ecgrowers.com

Anemone hybrid ‘Dreaming Swan’ PP#27384

Bred in Southwest Scotland by Elizabeth and Alasdair MacGregor, “Dreaming Swan” is a pinkish-tinged, semi-double addition to the Anemone Swan Series. The large flowers are given pizazz by a center circle of yellow stamens, and the pretty violet/purple banding on the reverse of the sepals that like to nod when the sun goes down! Dreaming Swan is a non-invasive hybrid and very unique among herbaceous perennials with an early bloom start, continuous prolific flowering from late end of June late October, much longer than Japanese anemone hybrids.

For more: prideofplaceplants.com

Berberis thunbergii Sunjoy Sequins^™

Neat, clean, colorful variegation makes Sunjoy Sequins™ barberry a standout in the landscape. Leaves are splashed white and green, and develop very showy pink tones as the season progresses, making the plant a patchwork of pink by autumn. More shade tolerant than other foliage barberries, yet has never shown any burn in trials. USDA Zone 4-8, height 2-3’, width 3-4'.

For more: springmeadownursery.com

Camellia japonica Early Wonder^®

Blooming very early in fall, sometimes earlier than its sasanqua cousins, this remarkable Camellia japonica introduction covers with stunning lavender-rose formal double blooms through winter. Lush dark green foliage grows in an upright habit to 6-8 feet tall by 4-6 feet wide. Hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.

For more: southernlivingplants.com

Clematis ‘Blue Jeanne’

The clear blue color is like no other in the clematis world. Very rich and free-flowering and non-stop from May to September. Flower diameter of 4½ inches. Flowers are a sunny sky blue, with pastel yellow stamens. Cold hardy, Zone 3-9. Introduced by German breeder F.M. Westphal. Available to finishing growers from Roseville Farms.

For more: prideofplaceplants.com

Clematis ‘Fuchsia Flash’

This new clematis from Swedish breeder Kjell Bolinder features a large shocking cerise pink flower, like no other on the market. Its flower size reaches 6” diameter and is a heavy bloomer. Fuchsia Flash has a compact height of 5 feet, making it a good fit for containers or gardens. Large flowering variety and a very heavy bloomer growing on a short vine habit. It offers early-season start, fantastic for peak season sales. Hardy to Zone 3-9.

For more: prideofplaceplants.com

Coreopsis hybrida PPAF ‘Super Star’

With the largest blooms of any Coreopsis on the market, the petals on Super Star can grow as big as the palm of your hand! Super Star features long-lasting color and a star pattern in shades of cream and red. It demands attention on the shelf and in the landscape. Hardy in Zones 5a-9a, it performs at its best in sunny locations. This low-maintenance variety also offers heat, frost and mildew resistance, while still attracting butterflies, bees and other pollinators for a big show.

For more: darwinperennials.com

Delosperma Granita^® Orange ice plant

Have your granita and eat it too! This high performing new ice plant, like it’s kin Granita^® Raspberry, closely hugs the ground, vigorously spreads and is densely covered with large flowers in varying shades of rusty orange that are at once bright, earthy and iridescent. A beautiful way to enhance your garden, provide nectar for bees, and save water at the same time.

For more: plantselect.org

Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Pink Fire' PPAF

Named after a fiery, red-headed professional volleyball player from Israel, Pink Fire lives up to its namesake with enormous, fully double, fiery pink carnation flowers that emerge from a steely-blue base of foliage. The large flowers do not flop, but are help strong and high by the stems. A sport of the ever famous 'Firewitch', this plant has many similar, yet improved qualities with a super strong clove fragrance to entice even the shyest gardener to come closer.

For more: plantsnouveau.com

Distylium First Editions^® Swing Low™

We selected this new Distylium because of its habit. Low growing at 2-3’ tall and spreading 4-6’ wide, Swing Low™ is a perfect evergreen prostrate groundcover. Blue-green leaves are densely arranged on horizontal branches. Like all First Editions^® Distylium Swing Low™ is an adaptable plant that can be used in multiple landscape applications. It adapts well to pruning and is disease and insect resistant. Bred by Plant Introductions, Inc.

For more: baileynurseries.com

Echinacea Fine Feathered^™ ‘Parrot’ PPAF

A new series of super winter hardy coneflowers, with vigorous growth supported by stout and sturdy stems topped with loads and loads of flowers from AB-Cultivars. This is an exceptional series. Parrot has bright, golden yellow petals with a pumpkin orange halo surround a velvety brown cone for a stunning combination. Not only is the color brilliant, the number of flowers is astounding. Each retail ready plant can have up to 50 flowers per pot. That’s amazing! Like the beloved birds of their namesake, these coneflowers will add grace, form and beauty to any sunny garden space.

For more: plantsnouveau.com

Echinacea x hybrida PPAF Sombrero^® Tres Amigos

The absolute best landscape performing Echinacea! Sombrero offers Winter hardiness, well-matched colors, a uniform look in the landscape and season-long color. Tres Amigos features three vibrant colors at once: opening to peachy-coral, aging to rose and fading to burgundy. Hardy in Zones 4b to 9b, this highly floriferous series is naturally well-branched and compact for easy shipping. Plant Sombrero in the Spring and sell it the same year!

For more: darwinperennials.com

Festuca ovina 'Eiler's Beauty'

Festuca Eiler’s Beauty presented by Emerald Coast Growers has fine-textured matte green foliage. It is adaptable to tough conditions, even dry shade, and features tan seed heads on stiff red-tinged stems. Collected in Turkey by Henry Eilers, it is hardy in Zones 4 to 8.

For more: ecgrowers.com

Ficus caria ‘Little Miss Figgy’ PP#27929 Dwarf Fig

With a dwarf compact habit, ‘Little Miss Figgy’ is smaller and more cold-hardy than comparable figs, yet she bears prolific fruits spring and fall. An excellent ornamental and fruit-bearing landscape plant, ‘Little Miss Figgy’ boasts dark green, deeply lobed leaves and deep burgundy fruits with a sweet center. Hardy to USDA Zones 7-10, ‘Little Miss Figgy’ grows to an average 4-6 feet high x 3-4 feet wide. Available from the Sunset Western Garden Collection and Southern Living’s DownHome Harvest Collection.

For more: southernlivingplants.com; sunsetwesterngardencollection.com

Gardenia Hybrid Diamond Spire^™

An unparalleled new introduction from the breeder of ScentAmazing Gardenia, Buddy Lee, Gardenia Diamond Spire is often described as a blooming Sky Pencil. Growing in an extremely upright narrow habit, Diamond Spire grows to 3-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide and is perfect for small spaces and containers. Uniquely shaped oval, glossy green leaves are joined by attractive single white fragrant flowers in late spring, reblooming throughout summer. Hardy to USDA Zones 7-10; full sun to part shade.

For more: southernlivingplants.com

Gardenia jasminoides First Editions^® Sweet Star^®

Blooming into late summer and early fall, Sweet Star^® is covered in single flowers starting in late May. Excellent rebloom throughout the summer. Flowers are followed by pretty orange fruit. Plants are nicely rounded with glossy green leaves and stay very compact in habit. Sweet Star originated from cold hardy wild collected Gardenia jasminoides seed from the Beijing Botanical Garden. Reliably hardy in Zone 7, it came through the record-setting 2013-14 winter in Athens, Georgia with minimal frost damage. Further winter testing will tell if it is also hardy in Zone 6b. Makes up quickly in production. Bred by Plant Introductions, Inc.

For more: baileynurseries.com

Heucherella ‘Peach Tea’

Large, peachy-red leaves contrast beautifully with cream white flowers. This plant is vigorous and compact but gives off a glow of daintiness in the landscape. Keep your borders clean with ‘Peach Tea’ or use in containers, summer borders, and mass plantings. Good in full sun or part shade in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9.

For more: terranovanurseries.com

Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer^® Summer Crush^™

Endless Summer^® Hydrangea’s newest introduction Summer Crush^™ Hydrangea is a true differentiator in the marketplace with a profusion of big rich raspberry red or neon purple blooms. This color breakthrough in reblooming garden hydrangeas is a welcome addition to the Endless Summer^® brand. Bred by Bailey Innovations, this new variety is the result of focused breeding and years of production and field testing. Proven to be Zone 4 cold hardy and the most wilt resistant Endless Summer^® yet, Summer Crush has dark green glossy leaves, tight internodes, and a genetically compact habit to fit into smaller spaces in the garden and a perfect size for patio containers.

For more: baileynurseries.com

Hydrangea ‘Hortmagitri’ Magical^® Triumph

Another magnificent hydrangea from the Magical line, the flowers of this variety are certain to grab your attention. Dark, cherry red blooms are tipped with green for a memorable look. A compact grower, Magical Triumph will nestle well into the front of a bed, a patio pot, or a small garden space. As the flowers mature, they turn to green with hints of red, making this an interesting plant for the patio in 3 of our 4 seasons.

For more: plantsnouveau.com

Hydrangea paniculata First Editions^® Berry White^®

This long-awaited introduction is a step forward in paniculata breeding. With strong, upright stems and large cone-shaped flower panicles that stay upright, this plant is a summer stunner. Like the other paniculatas from Mr. Renault at Pépinières Renault, the flower color starts out white in July then progresses to dark pink. Coloring occurs from the bottom and progresses to the top of the panicle. Berry White^® blooms a little later than Strawberry Sundae^® and about the same time as Vanilla Strawberry™. Color shades can vary according to location, climate and type of soil. Our growers like this plant, and we think you will, too.

For more: baileynurseries.com

Hydrangea paniculata Hybrid ‘LeeP1’ PPAF White Wedding^®

From Louisiana breeder Buddy Lee, the new paniculata introduction White Wedding is receiving rave reviews coast to coast. Unlike sometimes drooping comparable varieties, White Wedding elevates large white, pillow-like, conical blooms on sturdy, upright branches. Growing 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide and blooming all summer, White Wedding provides dazzling beauty as a cut flower and wows in the landscape. Plus, the sturdy bloom stems ship well. Full sun to part shade lover; grows well in most soil types. Late spring to early fall flowering can be extended by dead-heading aging flower clusters. Hardy to USDA Zones 4-8.

For more: southernlivingplants.com

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowcicle' PPAF

A selection from our friend Richard Davis, this new double flowered oakleaf hydrangea has 12-14", sturdy panicles of flowers that age from creamy white to a stunning combination of rose-red, olive green and cream. Each panicle is held up by a super sturdy stem. The plant grows 4-6 feet tall and shows off each fall with amazing fall colors in deep wine and burnt orange. Compared to Snowflake and other double flowered selections, Snowcicle has much larger panicles, improved vigor and sturdier branches.

For more: plantsnouveau.com

Iberis hybrid PPAF ‘Summer Snowdrift’

This summer-flowering Iberis has pure white blooms with an extremely long flowering window, and it reliably flowers in the first year. With a high heat tolerance and hardiness in Zones 6b-9a, Summer Snowdrift extends the Iberis selling window in the South and is a great annual in the North. It is also used as an alternative to lobularia in mixed containers. This Summer Candytuft will bloom from mid-Spring until late-Summer, and makes a beautiful, low-maintenance accent plant.

For more: darwinperennials.com

Leucothoe keiskei ‘Opstal 50’ PP#27132 Burning Love™

What’s most lovable about Burning Love™ Leucothoe? Growers will love this cold-hardy evergreen shrub for its year-round salability, with new red growth maturing to green in summer than maroon-purple in fall through winter. Consumers will be thrilled by Burning Love’s versatility: compact and rounded, this cold-hardy plant grows well in the landscape or containers with little to no pruning needed. Maintenance free and disease tolerant, Burning Love enjoys part sun to part shade and grows to 2.5 feet tall and wide. Winner, Bronze Medal, Plantarium 2013. Photo courtesy: Plantipp

For more: southernlivingplants.com

Nepeta grandiflora 'Summer Magic' PP#27090

Nepeta 'Summer Magic' is an outstanding selection that blooms and blooms all summer. The upright, deep lavender blooms are held high above the grass green foliage and never flop. This plant always looks great in a container. We are proud to be representing this new catmint in partnership with our friends at Plants For Europe in the United Kingdom. ‘Summer Magic’ is a new, extremely free-flowering variety from the UK that blooms continuously from May to September. It's compact and sturdy and never flops, even in the worst rain storms. You won’t attract cats with this selection either. Compared to ‘Walker’s Low’ and ‘Six Hills Giant’, ‘Summer Magic’ has a much sturdier habit and never goes through that ugly mid-summer phase.

For more: plantsnouveau.com

Panicum ‘Bad Hair Day’ PP#29,313

An intermediate to large-sized switchgrass, growing to 71 inches tall by 88 inches wide in full inflorescence. Stems are strongly upright, but the foliage is pendulous. The uniquely-weeping inflorescences sway in the wind, creating a whimsical mophead that gave it its “bad hair day” name. A hybrid of the bitter (Panicum amarum) and common (Panicum virgatum) switchgrass. Not only heat and cold tolerant, but may be more drought and salt tolerant. Zones 4-8.

For more: chicagolandgrows.org

Penstemon pinifolius SteppeSuns™ Sunset Glow penstemon

Pineleaf penstemon is a staple of the dry garden. This selection is more than 20 years in the making with each clone and generation an improvement in color and plant size. SteppeSuns™ Sunset Glow is a warming orange color that blooms for a very long season. Reminiscent of Colorado summer sunsets this long-lived penstemon will attract pollinators and hummingbirds to your dry loving garden. This shade of orange compliments blue, pink, and yellow flowers and is lovely next to blue and silver leaved plants as well. Glossy green foliage is attractive, and the plants natural mounding habit make this selection versatile in multiple styles of garden design.

For more: plantselect.org

Phlox ‘Strawberries and Cream’ PP#28,762

Selected for flowers that darken in color with age, yet are attractive in all color phases. The ¾-inch wide flowers are nearly white with a light violet-pink blush upon opening, aging to medium and even dark pink-violet. The broad petals make for fuller flowers, adding to the display. Blooms for four weeks. A hybrid of Phlox subulata and Phlox kelseyi, grow well drained and sunny as you would grow moss phlox. Zones 4-8.

For more: chicagolandgrows.org

Physocarpus opulifolius First Editions^® Fireside^™ Ninebark

We selected Fireside^™ Ninebark because of the stunning foliage. Reddish new growth matures to deep red-purple foliage that holds its color reliably all summer whereas others take on brownish tones later in the season. Even in our Georgia trials the summer color did not brown out. Add to that, Fireside™ didn’t show any signs of powdery mildew in field and production trials in multiple sites 2015-2018. The leaf size is intermediate; bigger than Little Devil™ but smaller than Diabolo^®. Pinkish-white flowers bloom in spring and foliage turns deep purple in fall. The plant habit is tidier than other Physocarpus with a rounded, upright shape.

For more: baileynurseries.com

Pieris japonica Interstella^™

Whether you call it Japanese andromeda or lily of the valley shrub, Interstella™ Pieris will have you seeing stars when it bursts into bloom with thousands of lantern-like ruby-colored blooms in early spring. The long-lasting display is followed by the emergence of dramatic red new growth, and handsome evergreen foliage secures year-round presence and beauty. Thrives in the same conditions as rhododendrons. USDA Zone 5-8, Height/width 3-4'

For more: springmeadownursery.com

Prunus ‘P002S’ Sucker Punch^® chokecherry

An improved red leaf chokecherry hybrid which does not sucker. This drought-tolerant medium-sized tree is adorned with beautiful dark reddish-purple foliage. In spring there are abundant white small fragrant blooms. The leaves emerge green in spring and gradually change to purple. The small fruits ripen to deep purple in late July and can be used for making jams and jellies or left on the tree to provide a favorite food for songbirds.

For more: plantselect.org

Punica granatum Peppy Le Pom^™

Winner of the DGA 2019 Green Thumb Award, Peppy Le Pom™ ornamental pomegranate blooms early and all summer long, peppered with jaw-droppingly bright orange blooms that give way to small ornamental fruits. Ideal for use as a container plant, it can be brought indoors for winter and grown as a houseplant. Warm climates can enjoy it as a dwarf shrub with a wide range of applications. USDA Zone 7-10, Height 3-4’, Width 3’.

For more: springmeadownursery.com

Quercus robur x alba ‘JFS-KW1QX’ Streetspire^® Oak

This oak stands tall and slender in the narrowest of streetscapes. Dark green, mildew resistant leaves weather summer heat with style before turning rusty red in autumn. Leaves fall cleanly in autumn to reveal short, stiffly upright branches with wide crotch angles that form a storm-resistant structure. Zone 4 hardiness and a height of 45 feet and spread of 14 feet assure a slender, cold hardy and winter-tough tree for urban landscapes.

For more: jfschmidt.com

Rosa First Editions^® Lotty’s Love^®

This ever-blooming, heavy blooming, rugosa rose bred by Chuck Bock won a gold medal from the American Rose Society in 2009 with one of the highest ratings ever. Lotty’s Love^®, named after Chuck’s wife Charlotte, has clusters of semi-double cup-shaped blooms of beetroot purple suffused with magenta. The 3-4” diameter flowers have gold stamens and emit a strong cinnamon fragrance. Lotty’s Love^® has the cold hardiness and salt tolerance that makes this species such a landscape favorite. Red hips, 1/2 inch in diameter, form in the fall. The dark green glossy foliage is resistant to major fungal diseases. The habit is more refined than the species.

For more: baileynurseries.com

Rosa Oso Easy Pleasy^™

Winner of the American Rose Society Award of Excellence in the No Spray division, Oso Easy Pleasy™ rose sends out continuous sprays of doubled blooms, each with the vivid, tropical hue of dragon fruit. Produces flowers continuously without deadheading, and as its award from the prestigious ARS attests, it exhibits outstanding disease resistance. USDA Zone 4-9, Height/width 2.5-3.5'.

For more: springmeadownursery.com

Rosa Ringo^™

Already decorated with six awards from around the world, Ringo™ rose is finally available in North America. The blooms of this colorful, appealing R. hulthemia hybrid open a bright golden yellow with a blazing red center. They mellow to a soft yellow, before finally turning white with a distinct pink center. The effect is three colors blooming at once. Trialed and tested for superior disease resistance and strong reblooming. USDA Zone 4-8, Height/width 3-4'.

For more: springmeadownursery.com

Salvia hybrida PPAF ‘Blue by You’

Hardy in Zones 4b-9a, this Salvia nemorosa and Salvia pratensis hybrid has excellent winter hardiness and heat tolerance. With repeat blooming throughout spring and summer, ‘Blue by You’ is a sterile hybrid for longer shelf life and reflushes very easily. Plus, its long, bright blue flower spikes make for a head-turning display in containers and the landscape.

For more: darwinperennials.com

Salvia microphylla x greggii Heatwave Blast

Blast produces mass displays of salmon colored large flowers shown off against green foliage throughout the warm months. Can be marketed as the Pantone color of the year “Living Coral.” An aromatic evergreen compact shrub, so easy to grow, very long bloom period, and very tolerant of dry hot conditions. The Heatwave Salvias are a cross of S. microphylla x S. greggii, eliminating the variable range of habits and lack of garden hardiness associated with so many of the straight Salvia greggii forms in the market. The plants are very tight habit in appearance. Hardy in USDA Zones 6-10.

For more: prideofplaceplants.com

Sedum 'Peach Pearls'

This sedum is loved for its burgundy leaves, rose-gold flowers, multiple crowns the first year and an excellent habit. You’ll love it even more for attracting pollinators, minimal water use and the unique color splash! Excels in full sun; blooms in August and September in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. Reaches 14 inches high and two feet wide.

For more: terranovanurseries.com

Senecio ficoides 'Mount Everest' PP22188 Skyscraper™

A fabulous new structural component for succulent gardens, Senecio Skyscraper is a strong, upright grower, reaching 3-4 feet tall in one growing season. No staking or support necessary. In colder climates, Senecio can be grown indoors as a houseplant in a bright location. Growing well in full sun to part shade, Senecio is hardy to USDA Zones 10-11.

For more: sunsetwesterngardencollection.com

Sporobolus heterolepis ‘Morning Mist’ PP#14344

An Emerald Coast Growers exclusive, ‘Morning Mist’ features prolific blooms on sturdy red stems consistently displayed over arched masses of fine medium-green foliage. ‘Morning Mist’ turns a rich gold hue for fall. It’s height and habit are more consistent than the species. This clumping prairie dropseed reaches up to 4 feet high in full sun. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9.

For more: ecgrowers.com

Syringa hyacinthiflora Scentara Pura™

A standout in field and container trials, this well-branched, semi-dwarf, compact lilac blooms heavily each spring. The flower buds emerge a mulberry-violet and open to clear jacaranda purple. Developed from low-chill bloodlines for improved warm climate performance and resistant to powdery mildew. USDA Zone 2-8, Height/width 4-6'.

For more: springmeadownursery.com

Tilia americana 'Kromm' PPAF Sweet Street™

This new basswood selections has a tight, pyramidal head with lustrous, dark green leaves that persist late into the season. We are confident Sweet Street will make a useful street tree, and due to its narrow habit can be used in more space restricted spaces than other lindens. This new selection was discovered by Darrell Kromm of Reeseville Ridge Nursery in Wisconsin. It is incredibly hardy and appears to be resistant to Japanese beetles. Reaching 30' tall and 15' wide, this may just be the perfect native street tree selection.

For more: plantsnouveau.com

Vernonia ‘Summer’s Surrender’ PP#28475

Matures into a robust yet uniform and dense broad mound. Three-year-old plants were 48 inches tall and 83 inches wide. Combines the bushy habit of V. lettermannii and the more robust plant size and larger capitula of V. arkansana. Excellent resistance to powdery mildew and rust. Dark purple florets are packed into nearly 1-inch-wide flower heads, borne from early September to early October in northern Illinois. Attracts a diversity of pollinators. Zones 4-8.

For more: chicagolandgrows.org

Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ PP#28,556

Similar to Vernonia lettermannii ‘Iron Butterfly’, but grows somewhat larger and never lodges due to the interlocking inflorescence branches. Three-year-old plants were 28 inches tall by 35 inches wide. Takes on a dark red cast in full sunlight. 1/3-inch wide capitula with dark purple florets are produced for five to six weeks starting in early September in northern Illinois. Excellent resistance to rust and powdery mildew. Attracts a diversity of pollinators. Zones 4-8.

For more: chicagolandgrows.org

Veronica Aspire™ Blue

Great garden performance! This very hardy cultivar features lovely blue flowers that bloom and bloom! Plant with our pink cultivar ‘Aspire’ to touch up a sunny corner. Best as an edging plant in sun-drenched garden beds and borders. Full sun, grows to 9 inches high, spreads to 11 inches wide and blooms from May to July in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8.

For more: terranovanurseries.com

Veronica 'Blue Sprite' PP#29581

This diminutive yet durable speedwell blooms from early or mid-June until mid-July in northern Illinois, packing its violet flowers on dense flower stems only 6 inches tall. The plants are equally dense with fine, olive-green foliage on creeping rhizomes. Two-year-old trial plants measured 10 inches wide by 1 inch tall. Equally tough as it is attractive, ‘Blue Sprite’ is highly disease-resistant, drought-tolerant, and hardy to USDA Zone 4. For full sun and well-drained soils.

For more: chicagolandgrows.org

Viburnum odoratissimum 'Brant 01' PPAF Sweet Viburnum Coppertop™

A great viburnum addition, Coppertop™ sweet viburnum features brilliant, dark maroon to copper new growth that reappears after each pruning—giving this plant season-long appeal. This upright evergreen blooms white flower clusters in early spring and is hardy to USDA Zones 8-10. An ideal replacement for traditional sweet viburnum and for redtip photinia, Coppertop grows 8-10 feet high by 5-6 feet wide.

For more: southernlivingplants.com

Vitex First Editions^® Flip Side^™

This beauty is a seedling selection from Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’ x V. agnus-castus that combines the best of both parents. Flip Side™ is cloaked in 8-inch panicles of fragrant, deep purple flowers that attract a nonstop parade of pollinators. It’s also a strong rebloomer. Flip Side™ got its name because the greyish olive-green leaves are dusky purple on the lower surface. While V. trifolia ‘Purpurea’ is only hardy to Zone 9, Flip Side™ has been hardy in Athens, Georgia for a number of years, surviving a Zone 7 winter. Flip Side™ is much more compact than either parent. This is a very cool plant for warmer regions.

For more: baileynurseries.com

Vitex 'Helen Froehlich' PPAF Summertime Blues™

This new hybrid vitex breaks all of the rules! Selected from a batch of vitex crosses made by former V.P. of Horticulture, Kris Jarantoski of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Summertime Blues has a rounded habit with exceptionally large individual flowers held on black stems. Just imagine a vitex with improved hardiness, that flowers most of the summer and can be used as a shrub…and you have Summertime Blues! Undisputedly an improved selection, Summertime Blues offers multi-season interest for gardens from California to Chicago and even in the deep south. Extreme drought tolerance, a more manageable size, and sterile flowers make the perfect combination for this work horse, easy-to-care-for shrub.

For more: plantsnouveau.com

Weigela My Monet Purple Effect™

Hues of cream, green, and pink, layered with a cast of purple make My Monet Purple Effect™ weigela a noteworthy selection. It shares the same dwarf habit and variegated foliage of the original My Monet^® weigela but is exceptionally strong flowering. A bit faster growing and has proven more heat tolerant in trials. The foliage looks good right up until frost, giving new energy to this long-time favorite. USDA Zone 4-6, Height/width 1.5-2.5'.

For more: springmeadownursery.com