New Shade Perennials for 2017
Every year our perennial grower makes our plant selections based on field trials, landscaper suggestions and from trade nursery information. This is her second year at the Good Earth Garden Center and boy, did she LISTEN TO YOU! Throughout the year she took notes as to what you wanted, what we did not have and what you wanted more of. We are excited about plants, and especially these new shade perennials! This list contains what is brand new to the garden industry as well plants new to the Good Earth. There are a few we have grown in the past, but have been awhile since we have carried them. It is just like an old friend that you haven’t seen for awhile, and can’t wait to spend some time catching up with them again.
Heuchera/ Coral Bells
Lovely, colorful Heuchera come in so many colors it is truly hard to choose. There are many different kinds of Heuchera out there, but did you know that some are better than others? Heuchera that has villosa breeding in them have been known to be the best heat and humidity tolerant. Most of our selections indeed have this breeding, so all you have to do is pick your favorite ones.
New varieties we are growing this year include Heuchera ‘Lava Lamp’, Heuchera ‘Zipper’ and Heuchera ‘Peach Melba’.
Heuchera ‘Peach Melba’
Heuchera ‘Lava Lamp’
Heuchera ‘Zipper’
Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’
Ajuga/ Bugleweed
Bugleweed was popular in 2016 for good reason. Being an easy, low maintenance ground cover that also flowers makes this an excellent choice.
New this year is Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’
Pro tip: Use the dark varieties along light colored stones, and concrete for greater contrast of color.
Lamium ‘Red Nancy’
Lamium/ Dead Nettle
The white leaves of Lamium brighten up any shady spot, and can be used in containers or as a ground cover. New this year is Lamium ‘Red Nancy’.
Brunnera/ Siberian Bugloss
Looking for something a bit different for your shady beds, Brunnera adds a nice silver/white color and texture with light blue flowers. Likes moist soils.
Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ and Brunnera ‘Looking Glass’ are new this year.
Brunnera ‘Looking Glass’
Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’
Tricyrtis ‘Autumn Glow’
Tricyrtis/ Toad Lily
Shade gardeners are pleased to discover Toad Lilies because the flowers are unusual and bloom late summer to fall just in time when a point of interest is needed most.
New this year is Tricyrtis ‘Autumn Glow’.
Tradescantia ‘Zwanenburg’
Tradescantia/ Spiderwort
Spiderworts love moist shady spots, and will have two bloom cycles if you cut them back after flowering.
New this year is Tradescantia ‘Zwanenburg Blue’.
Hosta
Tried and true Hosta’s do not disappoint.
Here are a few new varieties this year or ones we haven’t had in awhile: Hosta ‘Wheee!’, Hosta ‘Maui Buttercups’, and Hosta ‘Praying Hands’.
Hosta ‘Praying Hands’
Hosta ‘Maui Buttercups’
Hosta ‘Wheee!!’
Stylophorum diphyllum
Stylophorum diphyllum/ Celandine Poppy
Native to parts of Arkansas this plant is a long blooming wildflower. Likes moist, humus-y soil, and grows 12”-16” tall.
We hope you enjoyed learning about these new shade perennials! We look forward to seeing you soon!