It\u2019s still early yet, but time to start thinking about what we are going to plant in our containers this year. The catalogs have been out now for a while and we have had our chance to peruse what is new and exciting in the horticultural world.<\/p>\n
The new options this year are a lot of fun and they are not shy. Ball Horticultural Company<\/a> has come out with a series of three velvety black petunias that will knock your socks off \u2013 and yes \u2013 black means black. <\/p>\n Petunia<\/em> \u2018Black Velvet\u2019 is the pure black petunia<\/a> that is a soft and sensuous as it name suggests. \u2018Phantom\u2019 and \u2018Pinstripe\u2019 are two variations on the theme. The former has a bright yellow star pattern that is offset by the black background while the latter has the same pattern in a smaller muted cream and bleeding pink color. <\/p>\n The grower reminds us the \u2018everything goes with black\u2019 \u2013 and it should. These are three very adaptable container companions. They have a nice compact mounding habit \u2013 8-12 inches in height and spread. They should be widely available this year. Burpee is selling the all black petunia under the name \u2018Black Cat\u2019.<\/p>\n If black is the color of the year – you might also be interested in Calibrachoa <\/em>Superbells \u2018Blackberry Punch\u2019. The flowers are magenta but the large throat on this plant is velvet black. \u2018Blackberry Punch\u2019 is a trailer that grows 12 inches high and wide yet will spill over your container and trail up to 36 inches.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n Terra Nova Nurseries always has a few new coral bells up their sleeves and this year is no exception. One that is receiving a lot of attention is Heuchera<\/em> \u2018Cherry Cola\u2019. It has reddish-brown foliage and rusty red flowers. It is part of their soda series along with \u2018Ginger Ale\u2019 and \u2018Root Beer\u2019. This coral bell takes sun to part shade and has a nice mounding habit.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n For those of you who are searching for bright colors to brighten up shady spots, Terra Nova has come out with trailing Heucherella<\/em> \u2018Yellowstone Falls\u2019 (a cross between a coral bell (Heuchera<\/em>) and a foam flower (Tiarella<\/em>)). It has bright chartreuse deeply lobed leaves that are spotted with red. \u2018Yellowstone Falls\u2019 trails up to 3 feet, thrives in part-shade and looks wonderful in a hanging basket.<\/p>\n I am also anxious to try Heucherella<\/em> \u2018Solar Eclipse\u2019. It is reminiscent of Heuchera \u2018Miracle\u2019 but has a greater intensity of color \u2013 with its red-brown leaves and chartreuse border. <\/p>\n Other exceptional container plants to keep your eye out for this year are Aloe<\/em> \u2018Delta Lights\u2019, Lecanthemum x superbum<\/em> \u2018Lacrosse\u2019, Phygelius<\/em> Candy Drop series and Weigela florida<\/em> \u2018Sunset\u2019 (a nice compact mounding shrub that stays under 2 feet).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s still early yet, but time to start thinking about what we are going to plant in our containers this year. The catalogs have been out now for a while and we have had our chance to peruse what is new and exciting in the horticultural world. The new options this year are a lot… <\/p>\n <\/p>\n