| Roses |
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Rosa ‘Wekfunk’ Dick Clark
Dubbed a “chameleon” because no two flowers are exactly alike, this rose is easy to grow and offers blooms that start out cherry pink, with swirls of cream at the center, and finish burgundy red. Grows 4 to 5 feet tall with flowers 4 to 6 inches across. Zones 6 to 9. Source: Edmunds’ Roses, 888-481-7673, www.edmundsroses.com.
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Rosa ‘Wekmerewby’ Grande Dame
This vigorous, bushy hybrid tea is a modern classic. Nodding clusters of full, super-saturated rose pink blooms top abundant deep-green stems to create a romantically old-fashioned, disease-resistant beauty. Grows 4 to 5 feet tall with flowers up to 6 inches wide. Zones 6 to 9. Source: Edmunds’ Roses, 888-481-7673, www.edmundsroses.com.
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Perennials
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Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Royal Flush’
Huge, dark purple-blue flowers adorn this sturdy monkshood from July through September. Early-season red foliage changes to green as summer progresses. Grows 4 feet tall. Zones 4 to 8. Source: Roots & Rhizomes, 800-374-5035, www.rootsrhizomes.com.
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Aloe ‘Delta Lights’
‘Delta Lights’ is noteworthy for its 8-inch height and unusual zigzag foliage pattern. Perfect for landscape use and indoor containers. Zones 8 to 11. Source: Local garden centers; see store locator at San Marcos Growers, 805-683-1561, www.smgrowers.com.
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Echinacea purpurea ‘Noam Saul’ Crazy White
This extremely prolific, easy-care perennial offers a mix of “crazy” blossoms with either drooping or daisylike fragrant petals. A long bloomer that’s great for cut flowers. Grows 30 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Local garden centers or mailorder nurseries.
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Erysimum 'Walfrasta’ Fragrant Star
Commonly known as wallflower, this fragrant, long-flowering beauty is anything but. Yellow blossoms top green and yellow variegated foliage. A compact variety, 12 to 15 inches tall. Great for borders, rock gardens, and containers. Zones 6 to 9. Source: Local garden centers or mailorder nurseries.
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Iberis ‘IB2401’ Absolutely Amethyst
Surround spring-blooming bulbs with this head-turning candytuft, which sports lavender blooms atop dark green foliage. Low maintenance. Grows 10 to 12 inches tall. Zones 4 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.provenwinners.com.
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Iris ‘Cinque Terre’
A tall bearded iris with stunning petals in shades of henna and terra cotta. Vigorous bloomer: as many as ten buds on each stalk. Grows about 3½ feet tall. Zones 3 to 9. Source: Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, 800-525-2367, www.schreinersgardens.com.
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Leucanthemum x superbum ‘LaCrosse’
Trumpetlike, fluted white petals whirling out from yellow centers make this shasta daisy a standout. Loads of blooms from June to August. Grows 15 to 20 inches tall with a compact form. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Great Garden Plants, 877-447-4769, www.greatgardenplants.com; Roots & Rhizomes, 800-374-5035, www.rootsrhizomes.com.
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Polygonatum odoratum ‘Byakko’
This variegated Solomon’s seal is a Japanese selection with deep red stems. Leaves emerge green and turn white from the stem on out. Needs light shade and morning sun for best color. Grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Zones 4 to 9. Source: Plant Delights Nursery, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com.
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Verbascum ‘Clementine’
This relative of common mullein was bred and selected by the National Collection holders of verbascum in England, Vic Johnstone and Claire Wilson. Colorful spikes of peach-apricot to orange flowers grow 30 inches tall. Deer resistant. Zones 5 to 8. Source: J.W. Jung Seed Co., 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com; local garden centers. |
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| Annuals |
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Coreopsis ‘Salsa’
Stunning masses of single yellow flowers with burgundy eyes make this tickseed a head-turner. Threadleaf foliage is bushy and contrasts well with all the intense color. Summer-long blooms require little water and little maintenance. ‘Salsa’ grows 12 to 18 inches tall and can take light frost. Source: Local garden centers and mailorder nurseries.
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Phygelius Candy Drops series
This series of compact cape fuchsias is a hummingbird’s dream. They’re awe-inspiring in containers, and they also make ideal additions to beds and mixed borders. Pendulous, long-blooming flowers form clusters in four colors: cream, deep rose, red, and tangerine. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Source: Local garden centers and mailorder nurseries.
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Zinnia elegans ‘Little Lion’
This heirloom zinnia is named for its orange-red double blooms, which are 4 to 5 inches wide and resemble a lion’s mane. A favorite with butterflies. Grows 3 to 3½ feet tall. Source: Renee’s Garden Seeds, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com.
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| Edibles |
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Angel Red pomegranate
Get your antioxidants here! This new pomegranate tree (Punica granatum ‘Smith’ Angel Red) bears lots of bright red fruit that ripens earlier than other varieties. Fruit contains more antioxidant-rich juice than any other cultivar, and the seeds are softer and easier to eat. Prune annually to shape. Grows 15 feet tall. Zones 7 to 11. Source: See store locator at www.monrovia.com.
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‘Shiny Boy’ watermelon
‘Shiny Boy’ was chosen as an All-America Selections (AAS) winner in 2010 for its sweet, tropical flavor and crisp texture. Globe-shaped melons weigh an average of 20 pounds and grow on vines up to 12 feet long. (Luckily, they tested well when grown vertically.) Harvest in 90 days. Source: J.W. Jung Seed Co., 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com.
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Shrubs
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Hydrangea arborescens ‘PIIHA-I’ Bella Anna
Bella Anna, a pink hydrangea in the Endless Summer series, shows off reblooming magenta-pink blossoms from early summer through fall. Minimal care is needed and pruning is a breeze, since Bella Anna blooms on old and new wood. Grows 3 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.baileynurseries.com.
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Hydrangea paniculata ‘LeVasterival’ Great Star
Huge star-shaped flowers grace Great Star, a hydrangea from Bailey Nurseries’ First Editions series. Creamy white blooms can be up to 4 inches wide, and flowers are continuous from midsummer until first frost. Grows 6 to 7 feet tall. Zones 4 to 8. Source: See store locator at www.baileynurseries.com.
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Weigela florida ‘Sunset’
‘Sunset’ is a new dwarf weigela from the popular My Monet series. It’s just 12 to 18 inches tall, so you can use it in the garden as you would any mounding perennial or annual. Variegated gold foliage gives way to attractive red fall color, and rosy pink flowers bloom occasionally. Zones 5 to 8. Source: See store locator at www.provenwinners.com. |
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