Katrina's Picks 2018
Cosmos Cupcake White
Stunningly beautiful is the only way to describe this Cosmos. A brand new flower form, with cup shape flowers and fused petals. Bright clear white non-fading flowers sit above traditional ferny foliage. This rare and remarkable plant grows about 24 to 30 inches tall and is a classic cottage garden plant. Cosmos are pollinator plants and are enjoyed by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. First discovered in 2007 growing in a private garden in California and since that time breeders have been busy developing and refining the unusual of chalice shaped flowers. Grown as a cut flower, container plant or as pretty backdrop planting this cosmos will be the highlight of your planting choice. They love to grow in a sunny location, and with sturdy stems that make this specimen quite wind resistant and weather tolerant and deadheading spent flowers will encourage more to appear.
Rudbeckia Autumn Colours
Short bristles cover the deep green leaves and stems of this very tough plant. Though not hardy here in Southern Alberta, it is a native plant in Missouri and is found growing in fields and roadsides. Grown as an annual, Rudbeckia is a classic beauty with daisy like-flowers containing rich bicolour shades of yellow, orange, red and mahogany with a central cushion of a brown cone. Tall erect stems produce many flowers and will keep producing from July to frost. Rudbeckia plants bloom from seed their first year but will bloom late in the season if plants are not purchased already started and planted in May. Autumn Colours are just 24 inches tall and can stand up to the wind, and whatever weather Alberta tends to toss its way. They love to grow in the hot and dry locations of the garden border and in like minded containers. Flowers look stunning planted en-mass and will take several hard frosts before they finish, often not fading until mid October.
Mandevilla Red
Brilliant Red Mandevilla flowers add a tropical flare to any sunny container or basket. Mandevilla vines are vigorous growers that send out fuzzy young stems during the growing season. Their stems twine aggressively so they do require some support with a trellis or a wire to let them scramble all over them. Their showy flowers are very large and funnel-shaped with petals that flare out at the broad tips with thick rich green oval leaves that make this plant easily recognizable. The Mandevilla plant got its name from British gardener and diplomat, Henry Mandeville, (1773-1861) who was based in Buenos Aires.
Rhodanthe Chlorocepala Rosea
This annual daisy is superb for creating a native wildflower effect. Papery flowers range from pure white to deep pink with contrasting bright yellow or deep black centers. Picking the long stems when the buds have not yet opened and hanging upside down the buds will open as they dry and will keep their colour and stand ridged, perfect for the flower arranger in the family. A protected native wildflower in Western Australia this plant has many common names such as Pink Paper Daisy, Sunray Daisy or Everlasting Daisy. This plant loves to be grown in the garden bed and can be easily mixed with Snapdragons, Petunias and any other sunny garden plant.
Coprosma Taupata Gold
Coprosmas are evergreen shrubs from New Zealand that are grown as annuals in pots and containers in Southern Alberta for their rounded glossy leaves. Pretty variegated green and yellow shiny leaves are a stunning colour combination that can be worked into many annual planting combinations. First discovered by James Cook in 1769 growing happily on the North Island, of New Zealand, this native wonder has caught Katrina's eye as special plant for its beautiful leaf colour , it can withstand Alberta's fickle summer and is not eaten by deer, rabbits or slugs. Planted on its own or mixed with like minded plants you don't need flowers to take your breath away. This plant loves to be planted in a warm sunny container and needs very little to no maintenance the entire summer.
Coryline Australis "Pink Passion"
Cordyline Pink Passion is a newcomer for adding interest to your patio planters. Deep bronze-purple-red foliage with a wide, distinctive pink edging, make this a perfect plant to be on its own or in the mixed container. Cordylines are drought resistant and are ideal for the gardener who occasionally forgets to water. The striking look will make a fantastic focal plant adding a touch of the exotic to the container. Despite the tropical appearance, Pink Passion Cordyline are hardy to as low as -4 and can withstand the worst of the summer weather. Try planting it with grey leaf items such as Artemisia Silver Brocade for a stunning combination.