Rosa ‘Radsouth’ All A Flutter
This disease-resistant shrub rose from the Southern Living collection offers up fuschia pink, semi-double blooms from spring until fall. Deadhead during the growing season for best results. All A Flutter grows to 3 feet tall. Full sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 11. Sources: Local garden centers and mailorder nurseries.
 

Rosa ‘Wekmemolo’ Sugar Moon
White roses aren’t known for their fragrance, but Sugar Moon is an exception. Pure white 5-inch blooms have a powerful sweet citrus scent, and this hybrid tea doesn’t stop there. Superior disease resistance, continuous bloom, and long stems make this rose perfect for gardens and floral arrangements. Zones not yet determined. Sources: Local garden centers and mailorder nurseries.
 

Rosa ‘Meikano’ Sunshine Daydream
This rose is a 2012 All-America Rose Selections winner because it’s a vigorous grower and prolific bloomer that is resistant to disease, including black spot. Light yellow blooms appear continuously from spring to early frost. Grows 5 to 5½ feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Sources: Local garden centers; see store locator at Star Roses, http://www.conard-pyle.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/wwheretobuy.main/index.htm.

Perennials

Coreopsis verticillata ‘Sweet Marmalade’
Flowers on this must-have coreopsis fade from a deep orange to a mellow apricot-yellow as the season progresses. Bushy, mounded plants grow to 12 inches tall. Shear in midsummer for a fresh flush of growth. Zones 5 to 9. Sources: Local garden centers and mailorder nurseries.

Coreopsis ‘Cosmic Evolution’ and ‘Star Cluster’
‘Cosmic Evolution’ and ‘Star Cluster’, the latest introductions to the coreopsis Big Bang series, produce eye-catching white and purple daisylike flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. Colors shift slightly with seasonal changes. Drought-tolerant plants grow 20 to 24 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Sources: Local garden centers and mailorder nurseries.

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Twilight Fairy series
The two crocosmias (also called montbretias) in this series, Crimson and Gold, have bronze foliage topped with crimson red or yellow-orange flowers. They grow 14 to 16 inches tall. Zones 7 to 9. Sources: See store locator at www.terranovanurseries.com.

Baptisia Decadence series
The new Decadence series of baptisia is now available—after 14 years—thanks to plant breeder Hans Hansen, who crossed countless native species to create these lovely, floriferous, compact varieties. The four cultivars come in luscious colors: ‘Blueberry Sundae’, ‘Dutch Chocolate’, ‘Lemon Meringue’, and ‘Cherries Jubilee’ (available in 2013). Plants grow to 3 feet tall. Zones 4 to 9. Sources: See store locator at www.perennialresource.com or www.provenwinners.com.

Annuals

Calibrachoa ‘USCAL91001’ Cherry Star Superbells
The latest addition to the popular Superbells series, Cherry Star has bright cherry pink blooms with a golden yellow star in the center. This easy-care annual blooms all season and is a favorite with hummingbirds. Sources: Local garden centers; see store locator at www.provenwinners.com.

Pelargonium ‘First Yellow’
This yellow geranium is celebrated as a breakthrough in plant breeding. ‘First Yellow’ produces gorgeous yellow double blooms all summer long. This plant has a compact habit—it grows 4 to 8 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide. Source: W. Atlee Burpee and Co., 800-888-1447, www.burpee.com.

Edibles

Camellia sasanqua ‘Marge Miller’
Be the first on your block (heck, the first in your state) to grow a prostrate camellia. Use ‘Marge Miller’ as a gorgeous ground cover, train it as a weeping standard, or send it spilling over a stone wall. Abundant pink blooms and rich green foliage make this evergreen shrub an outstanding specimen. This fall bloomer prefers filtered sun. Zones 7 to 10. Source: See store locator at www.monrovia.com.
 

‘Rhapsody’ butterhead lettuce
Bred for flavor, form, and vigor, ‘Rhapsody’ is a luscious butterhead lettuce with softly folded, melt-in-your-mouth leaves. The satiny texture and buttery taste can’t be beat. Save thinned seedlings for spring salads. Mature heads can be harvested in about 58 days. Source: Renee’s Garden, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com.

Trees and Shrubs

Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia ‘Kenwith’
‘Kenwith’, a dwarf Lebanon cedar, is a lot of tree in a tiny package. Named the Collector’s Conifer of the Year for 2012 by the American Conifer Society, this little gem grows less than 1 inch per year in sun or part shade. Reaches 1 to 1½ feet tall in 10 to 15 years. Zones 6 to 9. Sources: Local garden centers and mailorder nurseries.

Weigela florida ‘Bokraspiwi’ Spilled Wine
This new purple-leaved weigela has dark red leaves, hot pink blooms, and a spreading habit. It looks like Wine & Roses weigela, but it typically grows wider than it is tall (hence the name). Blooms on old wood. Grows 1½ to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Zones 4 to 8. Sources: See store locator at www.provenwinners.com.