Spring has well and truly sprung — and, just as fashionistas look to the
new season’s collections to update their wardrobes, so a gardener’s fancy
turns to new plants, hundreds of which are paraded on the horticultural
catwalk at this time of year.
New — at least in the sense of commercial cultivation — can have
several meanings. We could be talking about a species plant that has been
growing in its native habitat since time immemorial, but has only just been
stumbled upon by an intrepid plant hunter. This is rare, though. Many new
introductions are chance seedlings, the product of naturally occurring
mutations: a single white-flowered plant, for example, amid a sea of pink
siblings.
More often than not, though, the hand of man is behind this deluge of new
plants. Every year, hundreds of breeding programmes produce countless
crosses, each a potential gold mine. For the large grower, the specialist
nurseryman or the keen amateur, the goal is the same: something
eye-catchingly different, a colour break, excellent habit, a hardy,
disease-resistant constitution, a strong scent, where appropriate, and that
all-important “wow” factor.
Whatever the type of plant, some of these introductions will be available only
in limited numbers from a single specialist nursery. Others follow the route
of mass production for the main-stream market, be it garden centres and
superstores or mail-order catalogues.
Some new varieties will be launched with a fanfare at the big flower shows;
others will make more low-key entrances. Here is my list of the hottest
introductions for this year.
Clematis ‘Bourbon’
The breeder Raymond Evison admits that this beauty, more than 10 years in
development, may seem flawed to some, as it produces terminal flowers —
on the ends of the stems, not along their length. However, he says:
“Everyone who has seen the flowers is amazed by their colour, and the
contrasting yellow anthers look like little catherine wheels.” It is
available now.
Raymond J Evison ( for a list of retail and mail-order outlets,
visit www.guernsey-clematis.com)
Digitalis purpurea ‘Candy Mountain’
Unlike most varieties, this has upward-facing flowers — so much so that,
during trials, it earned the nickname “Viagra”. They are a warm, rosy
mauve-pink, with freckled throats. Growing to between 3ft and 4ft 6in tall,
it will look lovely drifting through an informal border in dappled shade.
Seeds from Thompson & Morgan (01473 688821, www.thompson-morgan.com)
Iris ‘Ravissant’
From the French iris breeders Cayeux, ‘Ravissant’ has lilac-white standards
(the upright petals) that gradually become pure white, and white falls (the
downswept petals) with a lilac border. A vivid orange beard provides a
startling contrast. Cayeux (0800 096 4811, www.iris-cayeux.com)
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Garden Beauty’
Simon Charlesworth has high hopes for his unusually variegated introduction.
“It’s a ‘Munstead’-style lavender, up to 2ft tall, with mid-purple-blue
flowers, that goes green in winter, cream in spring and golden in summer,”
he says. “The variegation is green in the centre of the leaf, with pale
margins, and both the flower stem and bracts are a gold colour, giving the
plant a very pale effect.” It will be introduced either at Chelsea, at the
end of May, or at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, in July, but can be
preordered now.
Downderry Nursery (01732 810081, www.downderry-nursery.co.uk)
Rosa ‘Parky’
Philip Harkness, of Harkness Roses, describes this new rose, named for the
veteran chat-show host Michael Parkinson, as like a Transformer, the robot
toy that changes shape to form another creature or vehichle. “The rounded
bud begins by slowly unfurling its creamy petals, looking as if it will be a
pretty, double-flowered flori-bunda,” he says. “As the flower flourishes,
further rings of petals keep appearing — each petal appears to caress
and hug its neighbour.” Despite its delicate looks, the rose is robust and
long-lasting. It will be launched at Chelsea, but can be preordered.
Harkness Roses (0845 331 3143, www.roses.co.uk)
Muhlenbergia dumosa
Grasses are key in achieving the fluid style of today’s gardens. “This species
of grass is a fluffy, billowy thing,” says Neil Lucas, of Knoll Gardens,
which developed it. “It looks a bit like a bamboo, oozes character and is
evergreen, with tiny flowers in summer that give it a frothy feel — you
have to run your hands through it. It comes from the USA, and is not hardy
in the UK, but that doesn’t seem to bother most of our customers.” Best
grown in a pot, it should be moved somewhere frost-free over winter — a
cool greenhouse is ideal. Knoll Gardens (01202 873931, www.knollgardens.co.uk)
Panicum ‘Dewey Blue’
Lucas’s second offering is one for a cool-toned border. “It’s a really good
blue,” he says. “The flowers, the foliage and the stems all have that lovely
colour.” The grass was selected from coastal sand dunes and has good drought
tolerance. It grows to 5ft in height, so is good for a smaller garden as a
shorter alternative to miscanthus. The grasses can be preordered now and
will be available after their launch at Chelsea. Knoll Gardens (01202
873931, www.knollgardens.co.uk)
Prunella 'Summer Daze’
This is a cross between Prunella grandi-flora and Prunella laciniata,
with a long flowering season, vivid pink flowers and foliage shaped like a
long oak leaf. Martin Emmett, of Binsted Nursery, which bred the plant,
sings its praises: “When it finishes flowering the stalks retain their
colour well. So, while it peaks at the end of June, it looks very attractive
from the end of May through to August.” Available at B&Q (0845
609 6688, www.diy.com
for branches)
Rosa ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’ This rose is a pure pink,
with a classic double flower. “It is rather like the old rose ‘Louise
Odier’,” says Michael Marriott, of David Austin Roses, which is introducing
it at Chelsea (when orders will be taken). The rose will grow to about 4ft
tall by 3ft across. “It has a strong and delicious tea fragrance, which
gradually changes to lemon and finally to blackcurrants.” David
Austin Roses (01902 376300, www.davidaustinroses.com)
Salvia patens ‘Dot’s Delight’
The multi-gold-medal-winning nursery-owner Rosy Hardy knows a good new plant
when she sees one. “This is the first time there is a bi-toned Salvia
patens — the tips are deep blue and the throats are white,” she
says. “All the others have been either pure white or pure blue. Also, it
flowers and flowers. If you know how to look after them, Salvia patens
can be perennial, but it helps to have the right conditions.”
This means a sheltered, sunny spot and free-draining soil. Hardy also
recommends popping a cloche over the plant in winter, to keep off the worst
of the weather and stop it getting sodden at the base, and suggests taking a
few cuttings as extra insurance. On the plus side, this drought-tolerant
plant will be an asset if we have another long, hot, dry summer — but,
as you would with any new plant, don’t forget to water it regularly while it
is still settling in. The salvia will be launched at Chelsea, but Hardy’s is
taking orders. Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants (01256 896533, www.hardys-plants.co.uk)
Isn't it time that the glorious daylily (Hemerocallis) was given some prominence? They are varied in size and form, need little maintainence, and give years of service in gardens of all styles, from cottage gardens to city sites, exotic and gothic designs. Much under-rated, and the media ignores them. If they grudgingly give a little space to this bullet-proof perennial, the varieties chosen are usually old varieties, not the modern, improved forms. This is the Silver jubilee year for the British Hosta & Hemerocallis Society, so perhaps we can celebrate with more publicity for them. A link to the BHHS website would intrige those who are not au fait with their charms.
Lesley Marshall, King's Lynn, UK