Each year we do a feature in our big spring issue introducing folks to a slew of new offerings from plant breeders. But this is not simply a list of plants that we think look interesting. Our standards here at Fine Gardening are higher. We interview breeders, marketers, and the heads of trial gardens across the country to dig deeper into why a particular new plant is worthy of praise. Below, you’ll find the best new annuals. Which new plants are right for you? Read on to find out.
Photo: courtesy of Renee’s Garden; Illustration: jemastock/dreamstime.com
‘Spinning Wheels’ marigold
Name:Tagetes erecta ‘Spinning Wheels’
Size: 1-1/2 to 2 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Mexico, Central America
Who knew a marigold could be this cool? The large orange-and-yellow summer blooms have wayward petals around the outer edges that make them look like shooting fireworks. These plants aren’t tiny either, reaching nearly 2 feet tall by the time the first frost hits. Pollinators love them, but deer and rabbits tend to stay away—an added benefit if ever there was one.
Introduced by: Renee’s Garden Seeds
Intriguing color and texture for your shade containers
Photo: courtesy of Ball Horticulture Company
‘Dragon Fruit’ rex begonia
Name:Begonia rex ‘Dragon Fruit’
Size: 14 to 16 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Hybrid
It is almost unbelievable that a real plant could be this silver, but ‘Dragon Fruit’ rex begonia is very real and very cool. The bull’s-eye of deep eggplant at the center of each leaf allows it to combine easily with purple-flowered annuals in a shady container. Bring it inside as a low-care houseplant in winter if you have a suitable windowsill with partial sun.
Introduced by: Ball Horticultural Company
No filter needed—this flower really is true blue
Photo: courtesy of All-America Selections
‘Vertigo Deep Blue’ torenia
Name: Torenia ‘Vertigo Deep Blue’
Size: 10 to 12 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, rich, well-drained soil
Native range: Hybrid
Blue is arguably the most elusive color in gardening, so when you stumble upon a plant that is actually a true blue, you sit up and take notice. This cultivar has been around a couple of years but only now is widely available on nursery shelves. It was also just named an All- America Selections winner, having shown vigor in trial gardens across the country.
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Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability.
Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.
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Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation.
Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.
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Thoughtful Combo: You will receive a bee feeder and 30 glass marbles. This thoughtful combo can provide clean water for the bees, you just need to put the marbles into the bee watering station, add water (note: the water level should not exceed the height of the marbles) and hang them in the right place. The round, colored marbles can provide a place for the bees to stand and prevent them from falling into the water, effectively keeping the bees safe. Fine Material: This exquisite bee bath is made of high quality iron material, smooth surface, rust and weather resistant, not easy to fade, sturdy and reliable. Bee cups for garden can well meet the drinking water needs of lovely bees, and it can also provide food for bees, such as sugar water, nectar, etc., attracting more bees to your outdoor area and making your garden full of vitality. Perfect Size: The butterfly watering station has an overall height of 13.4 inches, a bowl diameter of 9.4 inches, and a weight of 0.44 pounds. The bee cup serves the needs of the bees well without plunging them into dangerously deep water or taking up unnecessary space in your garden, and this compact and efficient design makes it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Elegant Design: Our bee watering cups are designed in unique flower shapes with vibrant and realistic colours to attract lovely bees to your garden and patio, bee feeders for outside are not only functional but can also be used as a landscaping element, their vibrant floral patterns enhance the beauty of your garden. Multicolored Decoration: Colorful bee water stations look like flowers in a garden, flower bed or pot and attract bees and butterflies. They can drink or bathe in bee feeders, which are highly decorative and practical.
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