The Best New Shade Perennials for 2014

The Best New Shade Perennials for 2014

Cinnamon Curls Coralbells

The first time we saw 'Cinnamon Curls' coralbells, we knew it would be a standout in our Test Garden. That's because it has rich reddish-bronze foliage that's beautifully curled and wavy. We grew 'Cinnamon Curls' in the ground and in containers; it performed exceptionally well in both situations. In midsummer, the plants send up spikes of small, bell-shape white flowers.

Name: Heuchera 'Cinnamon Curls'

Growing conditions: Shade, Partial shade

Size: 8–12 inches tall, 12–16 inches wide
Zones: 4–9
Source: Proven Winners

Cinnamon Curls Coralbells

Carnival Fall Festival Coralbells

Put a little magic in your shade garden with ‘Fall Festival’ coralbells. This easy-care perennial develops masses of pinkish leaves with a light silver overlay. ‘Fall Festival’ forms a tight mound that works well in pots and planters or as an edging plant in the shade border. It’s also heat- and drought-resistant.

Name: Heuchera ‘Fall Festival’
Growing Conditions: Shade, Partial shade

Size: 10–12 inches tall, 12–14 inches wide

Zones: 4–9
Source: Ball Hort

Carnival Fall Festival Coralbells

Cracked Ice Heucherella

Layer on the color in your shade border with ‘Cracked Ice’ heucherella. This hardy perennial has showy, finely cut, purple foliage with a silvery-pink overlay. In spring and summer it’s also crowned with small white blooms. ‘Cracked Ice’ is a mounding plant that looks terrific planted next to ‘Buttered Rum’ heucherella.
Name: Heucheralla ‘Cracked Ice’
Growing Conditions: Shade, Part shade
Size: 7–10 inches tall, 12–15 inches wide
Zones: 4–9

Source: Terra Nova



Cracked Ice Heucherella

Shooting Star Hellebore

Blooming from February to April, ‘Shooting Star’ hellebore develops masses of creamy-white flowers with pink reverses. As each bloom matures it becomes slightly pinker, so over time individual plants will carry a bouquet of different shades. ‘Shooting Star’ also has red stems and dark evergreen foliage. Like other hellebores, it’s deer- resistant and reliably hardy.

Name: Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Shooting Star’

Growing Conditions: Shade, Partial shade

Size: 18–22 inches tall, 20–24 inches wide

Zones: 5–9

Source: Skagit Gardens

Shooting Star Hellebore

Amore Pink Bleeding Heart

Some plants just seem to be in almost constant bloom. That's the case with 'Amore Pink' bleeding heart. This little workhorse sends up stalks of cotton candy pink flowers from May until August. It also forms tight mounds of blue-green foliage that look good even when the plant takes a quick break from flowering. Use 'Amore Pink' along the edge of a shaded garden path or mix it with other spring bloomers in pots and planters.

Name: Dicentra 'Amore Pink'

Growing Conditions: Partial Shade, shade

Size: 9–12 inches tall, 12–14 inches wide

Zones: 5–9

Source: Terra Nova

Amore Pink Bleeding Heart

Cyclamen flower

Cyclamen flower

Their name comes from the Latin cyclaminos and the Greek kuklos, meaning circle. Their story comes from warm dry forests of the Mediterranean. Their colour comes from an enduring optimism and an innocence of spirit toughing it out here in November woods. The cyclamen, much smaller than the showy potted ones in the grocers, have been in Britain since the 16th century and in this wood for more than a hundred years. They belong to the primrose family, which accounts for their irrepressible cheeriness, a pink note they strike at the end instead of the beginning of the year.

Cyclamen flower

Bearded Iris

With their swordlike leaves and showy flowers, bearded iris are an eye-catching addition to any garden. They're easy to plant, require minimum care, and readily multiply. Dwarf varieties make attractive edging. 


 

About This Plant

Bearded iris are available in a wide variety of flower colors, including pink, blue, red, yellow, and purple. They bloom in early summer, with some varieties reblooming later in the summer. They grow from 8 inches to 4 feet tall, depending on variety. The flowers are lovely in bouquets, and the foliage remains attractive even after flowers have faded. Unfortunately, the plants are susceptible to borers, so check the rhizomes (fleshy roots) yearly for holes, discarding any infested ones. 


 

Special Features

Easy care/low maintenance
Multiplies readily
Fragrant
Good for cut flowers

Site Selection

Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil.

Planting Instructions

Plant bearded iris in mid summer to early fall, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart, depending on variety. Excellent soil drainage is a must. Prepare garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. If planting a rhizome (fleshy root), dig a shallow hole 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep. Make a ridge of soil down the middle and place the rhizome on the ridge, spreading roots down both sides. Fill the hole with soil, and firm it gently. In clay soil, the top of the rhizome should be exposed. In sandy soil, rhizomes can be buried with a thin layer of soil. If planting container-grown plants, set the plant so the rhizome is at the soil surface. Water thoroughly.

Care

Apply a thin layer of compost around the base of plants each spring, leaving the rhizome (fleshy root) exposed. As flowers fade, cut back the flower stalks to the base of the plant. To encourage a second bloom on reblooming varieties, promptly remove faded flowers and maintain consistent watering throughout the summer. In autumn, trim away dead foliage and prune back healthy leaves to a height of 4 to 5 inches. Once the soil has frozen, apply a layer of mulch to help prevent roots from heaving out of the soil during alternate freezing and thawing. If heaving occurs, don't try to force plants back into the soil. Instead, cover rhizomes and exposed roots with soil. Divide bearded iris every 4 to 5 years, preferably in late summer. Each division should have one or two leaf fans. Older rhizomes that have few white feeding roots should be discarded.

Aster

Aster's brilliant flowers brighten the fall garden when little else is blooming. Indeed, "aster," the Latin word for "star," aptly describes the starry flower heads. Another common name is Michaelmas daisy.


About This Plant

Aster thrives in areas with cool, moist summers. It produces blue, white, or pink flowers in the late summer or fall. Plant height ranges from 8 inches to 8 feet, depending on variety. Tall varieties make good back-of-the-border plants and are also attractive planted in naturalized meadows. Aster is susceptible to powdery mildew and rust diseases, so choose disease-resistant varieties.

Special Features

Attracts butterflies.

Site Selection

Select a site with full sun to light shade and well-drained soil.

Planting Instructions

Plant in spring, spacing plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Prepare garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly.

Care

Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Pinch young shoots back to encourage bushiness. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Stake tall varieties to keep them upright. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line. Divide plants every three to four years as new growth begins in the spring, lifting plants and dividing them into clumps containing three to five shoots.

 

Start a Chocolate Garden

Source from:  Better Homes & Gardens


Can't get enough chocolate? Then fill your garden with plants that have dark purple-brown flowers and foliage or cocoa-scented blooms. Justin W. Hancock

Chocolate Cosmos


Plants don't get much better than chocolate cosmos, which both looks and smells like chocolaty goodness! The burgundy-maroon flowers appear all summer long on tall stems and bear a rich scent.
Name: Cosmos atrosanguineus
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size To 30 inches tall and 18 inches wide
Zones: 7-10, but commonly grown as an annual.

Chocolate Cosmos




Hot Cocoa Rose


Though it's not chocolate scented, Hot Cocoa rose does offer fun coloring -- the blooms are burgundy-red with unique brown undertones. It's a great cut flower with a moderate old rose fragrance.
Name: Hot Cocoa Rosa 'WEKpaltlez'
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 8 inches tall and wide
Zones: 7-9

Hot Cocoa Rose




'Dark Chocolate' Coleus


'Dark Chocolate' earned its moniker because of its foliage: The leaves are a rich dark purple color with a slight brown undertone. This lovely coleus grows well in sun or shade and makes a terrific houseplant if you bring it inside for the winter.
Name: Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Dark Chocolate'
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 30 inches tall and 24 inches wide
Zones: Annual


'Dark Chocolate' Coleus

'Chocolate Mint' Coleus


Add drama to your shade garden with this gorgeous coleus. It bears rich purple-red foliage edged crisply in lime green. And as a bonus, you can grow it as a houseplant during the winter months if you have a bright spot for it.
Name: Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Chocolate Mint'
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 20 inches tall and 14 inches wide
Zones: Annual



'Chocolate Mint' Coleus




'Chocolate' Joe Pye Weed


Attract butterflies to your yard with 'Chocolate' Joe Pye weed, a low-care perennial that's a fun version of a North American native plant. Named for its purple-brown foliage, 'Chocolate' bears contrasting white flowers.
Name: Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate'
Growing Conditions: Sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Zones: 4-9

'Chocolate' Joe Pye Weed



'Sweet Hot Chocolate' Daylily


Daylilies are among the easiest perennials to grow, so you'll definitely want to add 'Sweet Hot Chocolate' to your garden. It bears amazing mahogany-purple flowers in summer. The blooms are edible (but sadly, they don't taste of cocoa).
Name: Hemerocallis 'Sweet Hot Chocolate'
Growing Conditions: Sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 24 inches tall and wide
Zones: 3-10



'Sweet Hot Chocolate' Daylily




'Chocolat' Sunflower


You're sure to love the deep, velvety color of 'Chocolat' sunflower, a fun twist on one of the favorite annual flowers of all time. This variety bears big heads surrounded by golden-brown petals.
Name: Helianthus annuus 'Chocolat'
Growing Conditions: Sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 48 inches tall and 24 inches wide
Zones: Annual




'Chocolat' Sunflower




'Summer Chocolate' Mimosa


A stunning selection of mimosa from Japan, 'Summer Chocolate' offers finely divided leaves in a rich, dark purple-red shade. Pink flowers accent it in late summer.
Note: This tree has invasive qualities in some areas; check local restrictions before planting it.
Name: Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'
Growing Conditions: Sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide
Zones: 7-10



'Summer Chocolate' Mimosa




'Mocha' Coralbells


'Mocha' is a delightful variety of coralbells featuring deep purple foliage that seems to get darker as the season progresses. The leaves are larger than many other common coralbells, and it holds up better to heat and humidity.
Name: Heuchera x villosa 'Mocha'
Growing Conditions: Sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide
Zones: 4-9
'Mocha' Coralbells




'Heart Attack' Sweet William


A perennial form of sweet William, 'Heart Attack' offers deep blackish-red flowers in spring and summer. The blooms are delightfully fragrant and make for wonderful cut flowers
Name: Dianthus barbatus 'Heart Attack'
Growing Conditions: Sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide
Zones: 4-8



'Heart Attack' Sweet William




'Midnight Feelings' Phlox


Though it doesn't bear a chocolate name, there's no mistaking the color of this plant's brown-red bracts. These bracts are what puts on a show; they surround flower buds that curiously never open. The flowers last longer than traditional garden phlox.
Name: Phlox paniculata 'Midnight Feelings'
Growing Conditions: Sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Zones: 4-8

'Midnight Feelings' Phlox




Purple Four-Leaf Clover


Even if white clover is a major pest in your lawn, you might consider its cousin, purple four-leaf clover. This quick-growing groundcover bears rich chocolate-purple foliage edged in green. Curiously, most of the leaves have four leaflets instead of the traditional three, so you can always feel lucky!
Name: Trifolium repens 'Atropurpureum'
Growing Conditions: Sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 8 inches tall and 18 inches wide
Zones: 4-9



Purple Four-Leaf Clover




'Intrigue' Canna


'Intrigue' is a particularly lovely canna with stiff upright leaves in a delightful shade of purple-gray, kind of like when you leave a chocolate bar sitting out too long. In late summer, it has orange-red flowers, but they really take a backseat to the foliage.
Name: Canna 'Intrigue'
Growing Conditions: Sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 7 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Zones: 8-10, but can be treated like an annual or stored in a cool, frost-free place for winter.


'Intrigue' Canna

Plumeria (common name Frangipani)

Plumeria (common name Frangipani) is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It contains seven or eight species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees. They are native to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America as far south as Brazil but can be grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions, There are more than 300 named varieties of Plumeria.

The genus, originally spelled Plumeria, is named in honor of the seventeenth-century French botanist Charles Plumier, who traveled to the New World documenting many plant and animal species. The common name "Frangipani" comes from an Italian noble family (itself literally meaning "breads-breaker(s)" in Italian), a sixteenth-century marquess who invented a plumeria-scented perfume. Many English speakers also simply use the generic name "plumeria".
In Persian, the name is "yas" or "yasmin". In India, the name is "champa" or "chafa", in Telugu "Deva ganneru" (divine nerium), in Manipuri "Khagi Layhaaw" . In Hawaii, the name is "melia" although common usage among all residents is still "plumeria". In Sri Lanka, it is referred to as araliya and (in English) as the Temple Tree. In Cantonese it is known as, 'gaai daan fa' or the 'egg yolk flower' tree. The name 'Leelawadee' (originating from Thai) is found occasionally. In Indonesia, where the flower has been commonly associated with Balinese culture, it is known as "Kamboja".



Plumeria (common name Frangipani)


Plumeria is related to the Oleander, Nerium oleander, and both possess an irritant, rather similar to that of Euphorbia. Contact with the sap may irritate eyes and skin. Each of the separate species of Plumeria bears differently shaped, alternate leaves with distinct form and growth habits. The leaves of P. alba are quite narrow and corrugated, whereas leaves of P. pudica have an elongated shape and glossy, dark-green color. P. pudica is one of the everblooming types with non-deciduous, evergreen leaves. Another species that retains leaves and flowers in winter is P. obtusa; though its common name is "Singapore," it is originally from Colombia.









Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar ...however, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar, Plumeria species may be propagated easily from cuttings of leafless stem tips in spring. Cuttings are allowed to dry at the base before planting in well-drained soil. Cuttings are particularly susceptible to rot in moist soil.

In order to get the most from a plumeria plant with respect to growth, size, blooms, and scent, there is a fine balance that must be maintained. Ideally, a plumeria is in its element when it can have plenty of sun and appropriate water, so as to maintain soil moistness just above a state of dryness. On the other hand, if the plant receives a lesser amount of sun, then a lesser amount of watering is necessary - again, to ensure that soil moistness stays just above the dry state. The more sun, the more water. The less sun, the less water. A common mistake of novice plumeria growers is to overwater the plant when it is not able to be exposed to enough sun, thereby resulting in a rotted root system. Conversely, if a plumeria plant is able to receive maximum exposure to the sun, but they aren't watered enough, the plant will die.

In several Pacific islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga, and the Cook Islands Plumeria species are used for making leis.[6] In modern Polynesian culture, it can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken .


P. alba is the national flower of Nicaragua and Laos, where it is known under the local name "Sacuanjoche" (Nicaragua) and "Champa" (Laos).
 In the Philippines and Indonesia, Plumeria, which is known in Tagalog as calachuchi, often is associated with ghosts and graveyard. Plumerias often are planted on cemetery grounds in both countries. They are also common ornamental plants in houses, parks, parking lots, etc. in the Philippines. Balinese Hindus use the flowers in their temple offerings. Indian incenses containing Plumeria have "Champa" in their name, for example Nag Champa Plumeria is not a champa OR it's aroma is not similar, but Indian Incense having Halmaddi(Alianthus malabarica)resins produces Plumeria like aroma,which is the main Ingredient of Nagchampa Incense, In Sri Lankan tradition, Plumeria is associated with worship. One of the heavenly damsels in the frescoes of the fifth-century rock fortress Sigiriya  holds a 5-petalled flower in her right hand that is indistinguishable from Plumeria.

Clarkia concinna "Pink Ribbons"

Clarkia concinna "Pink Ribbons" Billowing over the front of a bed like a cloud of butterflies held on shiny red stems, California native “Pink Ribbons” fascinates everyone with its surprisingly silky, 1.25” pinwheel profuse blooms. Choice for mixed plantings, containers & even hanging baskets, where they’ll attract all manner of butterflies & bees.
Mix it in with other spilly CA natives like “Baby-Blue-Eyes”. A wonderful annual for shade (perfect under azaleas)& a nice change from Impatiens. Average to rich soil (no clay). To 10” tall x 20” wide. Self-sows. Deer resistant & drought tolerant!


Useful tips :


Easy  re-seeders, California Natives, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Great For Shade, Plants For Cutting, Wild Life, Hot and Dry Climates, Dry Shade, Under Oaks, Great for Containers, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Hanging Baskets