Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Chocolate Mint’
The dark leaves of this coleus show off a rich chocolate color; each mid-sized leaf is finely edged in mint green. Grows 12 to 14 inches tall; best suited to shade gardens and large containers. Source: Local garden centers.

Pentas lanceolata Starla Pink
This tough, tropical-looking plant tolerates cool nights and hot days. Vibrant, pink, star-shaped flowers on plants 14 to 18 inches tall. Source: Local garden centers.

Viola cornuta Rocky Violet Blue
Multitudes of 1-inch flowers on robust 4- to 6-inch plants. Loads of color in spring or fall. Part of a series of 18 colors and three mixes. Source: Local garden centers.

Bergenia ‘Solar Flare’
The bold, evergreen leaves of this bergenia are edged with cream borders that turn brilliant pink during the winter, making it an excellent winter container plant. Color appears on new growth in the spring and fades to green in late summer. Vigorous growth to about 12 inches tall. Source: See Terra Nova Nurseries store locator at www.terranovanurseries.com.

PERENNIALS

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Pink Elephant’
Pink ruffled flowers with overlapping petals and a deep red eye open to a full 12 inches wide. Grows 5 to 6 feet tall. Zones 4 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.perennialresource.com.

Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’
An attractive, robust mound of ferny green leaves with deep purple highlights. The small blue flowers on this Jacob’s ladder are fragrant. Grows 18 to 24 inches tall. Zones 3 to 7. Source: See store locator at www.perennialresource.com.

Iris ‘Raven Girl’
Tall 39-inch stems each display up to 10 buds that develop into deep black flowers with slightly ruffled petals. This tall bearded iris has a vigorous growth habit; needs winter dormancy to bloom. Zones 3 to 9. Source (from January 2008): Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, 800-525-2367, www.schreinersgardens.com.

Lavandula angustifolia ‘French Perfume’
Rich flushes of plump, velvety, deep purple flowers produce an intense, unusually sweet lavender scent. At 12 inches tall, this Dutch-bred lavender is compact and hardy to Zone 5 with protection. Source: Renee’s Garden Seeds, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com.

Chrysanthemum × morifolium ‘Monica’
In a league of its own in the mum world, this large, two-tone yellow anemone has a perfect sphere habit. From Yoder Brothers’ European Collection of Prophets series. Source: Local garden centers.

Lantana Luscious Lemonade
This brightly colored low-maintenance annual blooms nonstop through heat and drought. Best in full sun; 10 to 14 inches tall. Source: See Proven Winners store locator at www.provenwinners.com.

Rosa ‘Ausrover’ Tea Clipper
Apricot flowers with informal rosette shapes give off a fragrant scent of tea, myrrh, and fruit. Large, bushy shrub with very few thorns. Grows 4 feet tall. Zones 6 to 8. Source: David Austin Roses, 800-328-8893, www.davidaustinroses.com.

Rosa ‘Ausrumba’ Gentle Hermione
Pure pink flowers pale to soft blush toward the outside, offering a warm, classic “old rose” scent with a hint of myrrh. Round, medium-height shrub with slightly arching stems. Excellent disease resistance. Grows 4 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: David Austin Roses, 800-328-8893, www.davidaustinroses.com.

Rosa ‘Baigirl’ My Girl
Round, deep pink buds are held in clusters of five to 30 and open to ruffly, full blossoms. Compact, upright habit with good repeat blooming. Own root. Zones 4 to 9. Source: See Bailey Nurseries store locator at www.baileynurseries.com.

Rosa ‘Meibedull’ Apricot Candy
This hybrid tea from Star Roses has a delicate, spicy rose scent, petals with ruffled edges, and soft green foliage. A good performer on both coasts, where it showed above-average disease resistance. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.starroses.com or contact Regan Nursery at 800 249-4680, www.regannursery.com.

Rosa ‘Radwin’ Winner’s Circle
A floriferous climber with fire-engine red color that won’t fade and can take the heat. Foliage turns deep burgundy red in fall, and bright orange hips appear. Grows up to 15 feet tall; hardy to Zone 5. Source: See store locator at www.starroses.com or contact Regan Nursery at 800-249-4680, www.regannursery.com.

EDIBLES

Pumpkin ‘Rockafellow’
A small pie pumpkin with a long dark green embedded handle that’s great for kids to carry. The hard, smooth shell is perfect for painting. Harvest in 95 days. Source: Local garden centers.

Winter squash ‘Blue Magic’
Miniature 4- to 6-pound blue-gray winter squash with the shape and flesh qualities of the Hubbard family, but in a small, family-friendly size. Harvest in 100 days. Source: Local garden centers.

Tomato ‘Country Taste’
Dark red 1-pound fruits offer all the flavor of an heirloom with the hassle-free growth of a hybrid. Indeterminate plants have good disease resistance. Staking required; harvest in 90 days. Source: Park Seed Co., 800-213-0076, www.parkseed.com.

Pepper ‘Explosive Ember’
A beautiful addition to landscapes or containers. This ornamental pepper boasts deep purple leaves, stems, and flowers. Small 1-inch peppers appear in abundance as dark purple and mature to bright red. Grows 10 to 14 inches tall. Source: Tomato Growers Supply Co., 888-478-7333, www.tomatogrowers.com.

WOODIES

Genista lydia ‘Select’ Bangle
Waves of electric yellow flowers in early spring are a showy addition to containers and perennial beds. Full sun for best performance; thrives in drought. Grows 2 feet tall. Zones 4 to 8. Source: See Proven Winners store locator at www.provenwinners.com.

Grape, ‘Frontenac Gris’
A grape for fresh eating or winemaking, suitable for growing in cold climates. Bears coppery-peach grape clusters with the aroma of apricot, peach, tropical fruit, and citrus. Excellent disease resistance. Zones 4 to 8. Source: J.W. Jung Seed Co., 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com, and other mailorder companies.

Pear (European), ‘Ubileen’
This early-ripening, disease-resistant pear yields abundant crops of large fruit in late July to early August. Pears are yellow with a red blush. Sweet, buttery, aromatic flesh. Needs a second European pear tree for pollination. Zones 4 to 7. Source: J.W. Jung Seed Co., 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com, and other mailorder companies.

Buddleia davidii ‘Evil Ways’
Golden foliage provides a perfect foil for the dark purple flowers that cover this 4-foot-tall butterfly bush from early summer until fall. Zones 5 to 9. Source (from early January 2008): Plant Delights Nursery, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com.

Loropetalum chinense ‘Chang Nian Hong’ Ever Red Sunset
Vivid red flowers and dark chocolate-burgundy foliage provide a stunning contrast for beds and borders. Grows 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 7 to 9. Source: See Monrovia store locator at www.monrovia.com.