Perennials
Denise and Sue are the perennial buyers/managers, and they have been perennial gardening for many years.
These “seasoned” gardeners have seen it all and gladly will share their advice with willing ears. They have bought an assortment of perennials that are meant to satisfy the novice to the most discriminating collector.
2008 Perennial Plant of the Year
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
The Perennial Plant Association has awarded the title of Perennial Plant of the Year® to Geranium ‘Rozanne’. Donald and Rozanne Waterer discovered this strong performing hardy geranium in their garden in Somerset, England in 1989. It has 2-1/2 inch, iridescent violet-blue, saucer-shaped flowers with purple-violet veins and radiant white centers. Bloom time is from late spring to mid fall.
* Hardiness – USDA Zones 5 to 8
* Size – 20 to 24 inches tall and 24 to 28 inches wide
* Light – Best in full sun to partial shade, afternoon shade is advisable
in hot climates
* Soil – Prefers moist, well-drained soil
* Uses - Geranium ‘Rozanne’ may be used as a dynamic ground cover or
as an attractive specimen plant. It is a good companion plant to Shasta daisy, perennial
salvia, speedwell, hostas, and short ornamental grasses. Rozanne’senergetic
habit makes it a worthy tenant of patio containers, window boxes,and hanging baskets.
* Unique Qualities – The large violet-blue flowers with purple-violet veins
and small white centers offer non-stop flowering through the growing season. It
has one of the longest flowering periods of any of the hardy geraniums.
2008 Hosta of the Year
Blue Mouse Ears (E. & J. Deckert 2000)
Mini, (6" X 12") This popular hosta makes a very tight miniature mound of very thick, rounded, mouse-like, blue-green leaves. It has lavender flowers on very short scapes in July. Perfect for a trough or container, it is tough enough to impress in the garden. Cute as its name!
2008 Roses of the Year
Dream Come True™
Dream Come True™ is a stunning sight of catchy colors, which lures the likes of even non-rose lovers to its side. This rose produces flawlessly formed yellow blossoms, blushed with ruby-red at the tips, all set amongst abundant matte green foliage. The big, bushy vigorous plant yields long-stemmed, long-lived blooms with mild tea fragrance, making it lovely in the landscape and a great choice for bouquets.
Class: Grandiflora
Plant Habit: Medium-tall
Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
Stem Length: Long
Foliage Color: Abundant matte green
Disease Resistance: Excellent
Hardiness: Zone 5, Zone 4 with winter protection
Flower Color: Yellow blushed ruby-red
Bud Form: Pointed fat & full
Flower Form: Double & formal
Flower Size: Large, up to 5-inches in diameter
Petal Count: About 40
Fragrance: Mild tea
Parentage: unknown x unknown
Hybridizer: Dr. John Pottschmidt
Introducer: Weeks Roses
Mardi Gras
With flamboyant blooms in a novel blend of pink, orange, and yellow, and a delightful peppery scent, Mardi Gras creates a festive atmosphere in any setting. Each high-centered hybrid tea style bloom begins as an apricot-orange bud that slowly spirals open to reveal a 4-inch bright pink and orange bloom with a yellow base. As an All-America Rose Selections (AARS) winner, this festive floribunda has proven to perform exceptionally well across the country with little-to-no care. The colorful blooms are perfectly framed with dark green, semi-glossy foliage, and its upright columnar habit makes Mardi Gras an ideal rose to use as a hedge or in a border with mixed perennials.
Class: Floribunda
Plant Habit: Four feet tall
Growth Habit: Upright, well-branched and hedge like
Stem Length: 16-20 inches
Foliage Color: Semi-glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Good
Hardiness: Zone 5
Flower Color: Yellow orange that becomes increasingly pink at the finish
Bud Form: Pointed ovoid
Flower Form: Flat, larger clusters
Flower Size: 4 inches in diameter
Petal Count: 20-25
Fragrance: Moderate, peppery
Parentage: unnamed seedling x Singin' in the Rain
Hybridizer: Keith Zary
Introducer: Jackson & Perkins