The Best New Plants for 2019

What to look for this year

fresh plant . Has there ever been a more alluring pairing of words for gardeners ? My answer is a hearty N - O. Like most gardeners with a pulsation , the staff here atFine Gardeningget so excited about new kind being bring out that we sometimes have trouble focusing as the press liberation and arresting photograph roll in . This year ’s crop of fledgeling did not disappoint . There are a duo of exciting and superhardy hydrangeas , a repeated and a shrub that are so fragrant you might be able to reek them through the pages ( I wish we could afford call off - and - sniff technology here atFG ) , and of course a plethora of cultivars with ameliorate use or disease resistance . The only trouble with this yr ’s origination is the elbow room you ’ll have to make in your garden ( and budget ) to have them .

A novel face for a live hydrangea

Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha®mountain hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata‘SMNHSDD’)

Zones:5–9Size:2 to 3 feet improbable and wideConditions : fond shade ; moist , well - drain soilNative Range : JapanMountain hydrangeas as a mathematical group have much undecomposed cold hardihood , and their buds broadly speaking break later , than bigleaf types(H. macrophylla ) , so it ’s no surprisal that this variety seems to bloom reliably despite coolheaded temperature in early spring . Its blossoms have been compare to those of waterlilies , but to us , they reckon like clump of shoot lead . It is said to rebloom sporadically throughout summertime and into decline . introduce by Proven Winners ® Color Choice ®

Perhaps the most fragrant lilac you ’ve sniffed .

Scentara®Double Blue lilac (Syringa hyacinthiflora‘SMNSHBBL’)

Zones:2–8Size:6 to 8 feet grandiloquent and wideConditions : Full sun to partial spook ; moist , well - run out soilNative Range : Southeastern EuropeThe best affair about lilacs is their fragrance , give down . So when a variety is develop in an effort to make it the most fragrant lilac , we applaud the effort . Purported to have excellent disease opposition ( from powdery mould in particular ) , this lilac is also cervid resistant . A immense zonal range give this a shrub or lowly tree with a lot going for it . Introduced by Proven Winners ® Color Choice ®

An evergreen plant that ’s not all immature .

Mademoiselle™ holly (Ilex×meserveae‘Madez’)

Zones:5–7Size:12 to 15 animal foot tall and 8 to 10 invertebrate foot wideConditions : Full sunshine to partial shade ; well - run out soilNative Range : Europe , westerly Asia , and North AfricaThe new growth of this holly is what sets it apart . In early leap , the shrub push a set of chocolate - Bourgogne leaves that finally darken to green . Red berries show up in late fall and channel through wintertime . Excellent disease resistance is another bonus of this lusty holly . Introduced by UpShoot LLC

This hybrid tea rise is tough than most .

Pinkerbelle™ rose (Rosa‘Meivanae’)

Zones:5–9Size:5 fundament tall and wideConditions : Full Dominicus ; moist , well - drained soilNative ambit : AsiaIf you ’ve been ward off hybrid afternoon tea blush wine for years because they tend to become a disease - ridden muss in your garden , this might be the rosiness to give tea pink wine a better name . harmonise to the breeders , this fragrant baby , grown on its own root , is pretty tough . It resists fungal infection even in areas of the country prone to black spot , so we ca n’t waitress to put it to the trial run in Connecticut . Introduced by Star ® Roses & Plants

We ’ve never date a hydrangea like this

Green Cloud bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla‘Hortmagreclo’)

Zones:5–9Size:3 to 4 feet grandiloquent and wideConditions : Partial subtlety ; moist , well - drain soilNative cooking stove : JapanThe novel blossom colour on this hydrangea might not be everyone ’s loving cup of tea , but it ’s sure as shooting alone . We cogitate that if given the right fellow traveller , the lime green blooms would produce a dynamic focal point . The flower finally transition to a deep pinkish red ( much likeH. paniculata ) . The sturdy stems will brook up to all sort of foetid atmospheric condition conditions without flopping or breaking , making this diversity first-class as a cut flower . Introduced by Plants Nouveau

Its back side is nearly as beautiful as its blooms

Flip Side® vitex (Vitex‘Bailtexone’)

Zones:7–9Size:6 to 8 feet improbable and 8 to 10 foundation wideConditions : Full sunlight ; moist , well - drained soilNative range of a function : Asia and AustraliaThis new vitex keeps all the trait you ’ve come to know and bonk from the genus — great , fragrant purple blooms and attractive gray foliation — and kicks thing up a notch by sum a purple underside to each of the leaves . This sizeable bush is a intercrossed betweenVitex trifolia‘Purpurea ’ and V. agnus - castus . pollinator raft to it , cervid go out it alone , and its habit is more summary than that of either of its parents . Introduced by Bailey Nurseries

A dwarf shrub with full - size flower power

Little Joker® ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius‘Hoogi021’)

Zones:4–8Size:3 to 4 feet tall and wideConditions : Full Sunday ; well - debilitate soilNative Range : cardinal and easterly North AmericaLittle Joker ® is the tardy addition to the pile of dwarf ninebarks that have come to garden shopping mall shelf recently . This offering has the same petite stature and exquisitely break down burgundy foliage as other ninebarks , but the flower are bigger and much more numerous . A resistance to powdery mould is another great marketing point . Introduced by Monrovia ®

Yes way ! It ’s a seedless spirea

Double Play Doozie® spirea (Spiraea‘NCSX2’)

Zones:3–8Size:2 to 3 feet improbable and wideConditions : Full sun ; well - drained soilNative Range : Japan and eastern AsiaIf you have ever wished for a spiraea that has all the toughness of the specie without the invasive tendency , bid no more . Double toy Doozie ® is seedless , meaning it wo n’t take over your garden with one thousand of uninvited offspring . It does , however , athletics lovely burgundy spring outgrowth and gorgeous magenta blooms in late spring and into summer . Introduced by Proven Winners ® Color Choice ®

This heuchera ’s hue does n’t fade

‘Wildberry’ heuchera (Heuchera‘Wildberry’)

Zones:4–9Size:10 to 14 inches magniloquent and 16 to 20 inches wideConditions : Full sun to partial shade ; moist , well - drain soilNative stove : North AmericaFor years the ruination of unexampled heucheras was their questionable wintertime hardiness . Plant breeders in the end got a handle on that , but it seemed to be at the disbursement of plants hold their brilliant foliage colors . ‘ Wildberry ’ supposedly holds its deep majestic hue throughout the season ( even in full sun ) , and this color wo n’t pass as the season progresses , either . Introduced by Proven Winners ® and Walter ’s Gardens

Silvery good to relieve the shade

Alchemy™ Silver brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla‘TNBRUAS’)

Zones:4–9Size:14 to 18 inches tall and wideConditions : Partial to full shade ; moist , well - run out soilNative Range : TurkeyThis brunnera is touted as being bulky than other offerings out there . The works top fills in quickly or else of limping along for years . Also , the bright silver coloration hold up well in the North and also in the heat and humidity of the South . Introduced by Terra Nova ® Nurseries

It ’s a hardy , semi - evergreen clematis with yellow flush — signal us up

Otophora clematis (Clematis otophora)

Zones:5–9Size : Climbing 10 to 12 feetConditions : Full sunshine to fond shade ; moist , well - debilitate soilNative mountain chain : ChinaIt should come as no surprisal that the over-the-top plant hunters from Far Reaches Farm are creditworthy for bringing this plant to light . It ’s everything we ever wanted ( but did n’t know we want ) in a clematis and more . The shining unripened oval - shape leaves are somewhat waxy and may abide put in warmer area . Though quick to bulk up , it does n’t take over aggressively as it twine its way of life up a support organization or through other scaffolding tree and shrubs . Then in other declension , 1 - column inch buttercup jaundiced , Vanessa Stephen - shape blooms cover the vine , finally giving way to big , fluffy source head . If ever there was aconversation - piece plant , this is it . Introduced by Far Reaches Farm

An underrated plant life in a delightful Modern color

‘Summer Crush’ betony (Stachys‘Summer Crush’)

Zones:4–9Size:2 feet tall and wideConditions : Full sun ; well - debilitate soilNative Range : North AmericaWhy folks do n’t plant more betonies is a secret . They ’re drought tolerant , they like lean grease , they ’re disease free , and cervid leave them alone . The only downfall has been the circumscribed flower coloring . ‘ summertime Crush ’ solves that with its light - pink - and - white bloom . Did we mention that the blossom keep coming for nearly a month ? Bingo . Introduced by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

A people of colour breakthrough for a democratic perennial

‘Cherry Pie’ baptisia (Baptisia‘Cherry Pie’)

Zones:4–9Size:32 inches magniloquent and 48 inches wideConditions : Full sun ; well - debilitate soilNative kitchen stove : North AmericaThere ’s never been a red baptisia before , so this is a must - have plant for 2019 . ‘ Cherry Pie ’ has the same drought immunity and adorable glaucous pealike leafage you ’ve come to know and love , but it ’s the long - lasting red blossom spikes that set it apart . As they get on , you may see some fading of the chromaticity , but even so , we ’re excited . Introduced by Plant Delights Nursery

You wo n’t want to disregard off this canna ’s rosiness

‘Lemon & Gin’ canna (Canna flaccida‘Lemon & Gin’)

Zones:7–9Size:2 to 3 feet marvelous and 1 foot wideConditions : Full sun ; moist , well - drain soilNative Range : wetland in the southerly United StatesAlthough they may not accommodate it , many gardeners crop the blooms off their cannas because , let ’s present it , the foliage is peachy but the blooms are ugly . ‘ Lemon & Gin ’ , however , really is a canna that should be grow for its speckled , bright yellowish bloom . They ’re big , they ’re numerous , and they ’re certainly eye - catching . The large , deep green leave make for the perfect nondescript ground , too . introduce by J. Berry Nursery

Who does n’t love a prominent , downcast genus Funka ?

‘Diamond Lake’ hosta (Hosta‘Diamond Lake’)

Zones:3–9Size:17 inches tall and 45 in wideConditions : Partial shade ; moist , well - drained soilNative Range : AsiaNothing beats a elephantine hosta — except a giant blue hosta . ‘ Diamond Lake ’ hold its key signature colour even in a stain that engender a small more sun . No matter what color they were , its 11 - inch - long , wrinkled leaves would be a textural dreaming . They will provide a hulky comportment in a bed , but be sure to leave enough room . introduce by Proven Winners ® and Walter ’s Gardens

This true red does n’t bleach out out in full Lord’s Day

‘Ranchera’ sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale‘Ranchera’)

Zones:3–9Size:2 feet grandiloquent and wideConditions : Full Lord’s Day ; moist , well - run out soilNative Range : North AmericaReds can be fleeting in a place with full sun , but this sneezeweed holds its colour throughout the summer . While other potpourri incline to have a rust - red chromaticity , ‘ Ranchera ’ has more of a cryptical lipstick - red tone . This as well as its rigid , flop - spare height make it a certain bet as a focal point in a bed . Introduced by Plants Nouveau

The one matter you ’d change about epimedium — realized

‘Stoplights’ epimedium (Epimedium‘Stoplights’)

Zones:5–8Size:12 inches tall and 30 inch wideConditions : Partial shade ; well - drained soilNative reach : AsiaWhat ’s not to love about a juiceless - nicety - loving , disease - gratuitous , grim - care perennial ? In the case of Epimedium , it has always been their sometimes less - than - showy blooms . ‘ Stoplights ’ breaks that mold with assume 12 - column inch - tall flower spikes held above the leaf . Each bloom of youth is over an inch wide and is made up of a yellow spurring , orange cup , and red out sepals . One expression and there will be no doubt how this industrial plant come its name . enclose by Plant Delights Nursery

An interesting color jazz group on a classical darling

‘Green Eye’ coneflower (Echinacea‘Green Eye’)

Zones:4–9Size:18 to 20 inch magniloquent and wideConditions : Full sun ; moist , well - drain soilNative Range : northward AmericaWe’re used to control coneflowers with a brownish eye and pink petals , so when this variety showed up with a bright unripened center , it caught our attention . Although not shocking , it is dissimilar . The plants mature to a bushy hammock , and the ratio of blossoms to thick green leaf is nearly 1:1 . And with flowers showing up from previous spring through fall , ‘ Green Eye ’ seems to have long - hold up appeal . Introduced by Monrovia ®

Do n’t adjust your glass ; it is a blue hibiscus

Cordon Bleu hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos‘4389’)

Zones:5–9Size:3 invertebrate foot improbable and wideConditions : Full Lord’s Day ; moist , well - drain soilNative Range : Southern and easterly North AmericaBlue is an knotty color in the garden , and while this hibiscus bloom is n’t “ sky bluing , ” it does sport a lilac - blue chromaticity . It will stop and make you pause , that ’s for sure . The plant is also sound out to be shaggy-coated and more rust fungus resistant than other hibiscus . If you ’re in the food market this twelvemonth for brazen-faced blooms , this may well be your plant . precede by J. Berry Nursery

Another underused perennial with a new tone

Pretticoats™ Peach geum (Geum‘TNGEUPP’)

Zones:5–9Size:10 inches grandiloquent and 20 inches wideConditions : Full sunlight ; moist , well - drained soilNative Range : Northern North AmericaFor days we ’ve been singing the praises of geum as a tough fiddling perennial with minimal attention needs . Pretticoats ™ Peach just makes us even more in love with the genus due to the incredible amount of bloom it has . start in late fountain and carry on into fall , they sport a compounding of pink , yellow , and unclouded orange . The habit of this diversity is a piece denser , too , make believe it perfect for tucking in among other front - of - the - seam companions . Introduced by Terra Nova ® baby’s room

The hunt for new plants is part of the fun

“ Why ca n’t I find oneself it ? ” I wish well I had a nickel for every time Fine horticulture start a phone call or email with this question . Unfortunately , because these industrial plant varieties are so new , it ’s inconceivable for us to predict which mail service - order sources , local garden centers , or source catalogs will be carrying them before we go to mark . Here are a few ideas , however , that may help in your search .

1 . commence with the introducer . In many cases , the company that is promoting the plant in the first place will have a website that lists a retail emplacement near you or an on-line greenhouse affiliated with its products .

2 . draw out out your laptop computer . Here at okay Gardening , many of our initial industrial plant hunting start with Google . And by the time this issue hit newsstand , the plant life featured here may be usable through many reputable mail - order nursery . Do a quick search , and see what you find .

3 . adjudicate a university plant - viewfinder avail . This spare service allows you to typewrite in either the common or botanical name of the plant you are searching for and get a inclination of post - order glasshouse ( both retail and wholesale ) from which to buy it . For example , you may determine the University of Minnesota ’s plant - hunt prick atplantinfo.umn.edu .

Danielle Sherry is the senior editor .

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