I Know It's Spring Somewhere!

Confession time. How many of you die-hard ‘four seasons’ lovers will admit to having had lustful dreams of warmer climates along about mid-February? Come on. Raise your hands. No one will judge you. The truth is that after a winter like the one we’ve all just been through here in central Iowa only those hardiest of souls, the dreaded winter-sports fiends among us, would be sad to see the end of the cold and snow.

One of the best things about a winter like this one is that it makes you appreciate spring that much more. And for those of us who enjoy gardening, the arrival of spring means that we are finally able to do what we’ve been chomping at the bit all winter long to do. We can grab our spades and do some digging in the dirt. But what’s the point of digging if we can’t find something new and interesting to put in the ground?

So to that end, on a dark, dreary day in January I began perusing my newly arrived garden catalogs and checking out the online nurseries to see what new and exciting plants the breeders have for us this year. I found several gems among the 2008 introductions.

For me, one of the most exciting breakthroughs of the last few years has been the outstanding new varieties of coneflowers that have become available. Coneflowers, or Echinacea, thrive in our area and provide very useful structure and color in the garden. A future column will be devoted entirely to these beauties but there are a couple of new cultivars worth mentioning here.

The first is Echinacea 'All That Jazz'. This lavender pink variety gives coneflowers a whole new look with quill shaped petals resembling spoons that will act as magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies. It has a very nice bushy habit and maintains the vigor of traditional coneflowers.

Another new Echinacea is ‘Tiki Torch’. Introduced by the Terra Nova nurseries of Oregon, ‘Tiki Torch’ boasts bold orange blooms that hold their color well. The flowers are long lasting, have a slight spicy fragrance and they make excellent cut flowers.

As with all coneflowers, both of these varieties do best in full sun and well drained soil.

Monrovia Nurseries are offering three new cold-hardy Hibiscus moscheutos. All are hardy to zone 4 and prefer full sun and fertile to average soil. The first of the three is ‘Dave Fleming’. This one has ruby red flowers and maroon tinged foliage. The next is ‘Strawberries and Cream’ which has a bi-color flower of hot pink fading to pale pink. The last is the lipstick-pink ‘Stardust’ which has soft green foliage accented with purple.

A new bee balm, Monarda Bergamo, is the 2008 Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winner. Bee balm is a staple in mid-Iowa gardens and this annual version claims to be mildew-free, which is a big deal here. The drawback is that it is an annual. Still, beggars can’t be choosers and it is supposed to flower in only 8 – 10 weeks from seed. This new Dutch introduction has rose-violet, season-long blooms that are highlighted by its light green foliage.

And, who doesn’t love a good petunia? A few years back, Wave petunias burst onto the gardening scene and took this very adaptable and useful annual to a whole new level. There have been several new introductions in the last couple of years including ‘Tidal Wave’ and ‘Double Wave.’ This year, say hello to ‘Shock Wave.’ This improved strain has all the advantages of the original Wave petunia, but with smaller, 2” flowers and a more mounded habit.

So, there you have it. A few new plant ideas that should make even the most ardent snow bunnies long for spring. Now run, don’t walk, to your nearest garden center, or pick up a new garden catalog or check out the online nurseries to see what you can find. I’ve only just scratched the surface. Get out there and dig!