February 7, 2012

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P. Allen Smith's "Hot 25" Plants for 2012

Gardening expert P. Allen Smith is a renowned and respected authority when it comes to plants. So when he makes a recommendation, you can be sure it will be a winner in your garden. The following Proven Winners plants have been named his "Hot 25" for 2012. He will be showcasing theses superior varieties in magazine articles, during book tours and TV appearances, and on his website, where they will also appear as his Top Picks for 2012.

These plants have been chosen for their visual color and impact, superior performance, and low maintenance. You can find each of them at Vite Greenhouses. Ask for them on your next visit.

Show Plant List

Common Name
Botanical Name
Cultivar
Description
Greenhouse Location Thumb-
nail Image
Flower Color Foliage Color Annual/ Perennial Exposure Bloom Season Height Spread Hardiness Zone
(See Map)
Container Size
Spring Summer Autumn
Early Middle Late Early Middle Late Early Middle Late
Abelia Abelia grandiflora
1.  Ruby Anniversary ( 'Keiser')
An improved selection that gives you more color as the dark, glossy foliage has ruby-red new growth and fall color. Long blooming with clusters of salmon pink buds, white flowers and soft pink bracts from mid-summer until frost. The fragrant flowers are a butterfly magnet. Developed by Susan Keiser of Ossining NY. n/a   n/a n/a   n/a n/a n/a PW 3 Gallon
Ageratum ('Artist®' Series) Ageratum 
2.  Artist Blue
Has an open habit with radiant clusters of fuzzy flowers on compact plants flowering May through October. 1C-South Click to display 'Artist Blue' tag image 7"-9" 10"-12" 9-11 4½" White
3.  Artist Blue Violet
Has an open habit with radiant clusters of unusual, bicolor blue violet fuzzy flowers on compact plants. Flowers May - October. 1C-South Click to display 'Artist Blue Violet' tag image n/a n/a 12"-18" 18" 10 4½" White
4.  Artist Purple
A little gem of a plant that continuously produces masses of purple pink flowers. 1C-South Click to display 'Artist Purple' tag image 8"-12" 10"-12" 9-10 4½" White
5.  Artist Rose
True rose-pink color with an upright, full habit; flowers all season long; low maintenance. 1C-South Click to display 'Artist Rose' tag image 8"-12" 10"-12" 9-10 4½" White
Alkanet Anchusa capensis
6.  Blue Angel 
Blue Angel has great vivid ultra-marine blue flowers on plants with a bushy habit make this wariety ideal for garden borders and mass plantings. Early blooming and extremely long blooming time for any perennial. 5A-North Click to display 'Blue Angel' tag image 12"-15" 12"-15" 3-8 4" Green
Brunnera macrophylla
7.  Emerald Mist
This new sport of 'Jack Frost' has more silver barring with with the bars connecting to form a silver collar around the perimeter of the leaf. In addition, there is a very light dusting of silver over the entire leaf surface. 11B-South Click to display 'Emerald Mist' tag image 12"-15" 12"-15" 3-8 10" Green
8.  Jack Frost
'Jack Frost' Brunnera is one of the most arresting silvers for shade. Its leaves, painted with an overlay of metallic silver, are finely etched with green veining that matches the narrow band running along the edge. 11B-South Click to display 'Jack Frost' tag image 12"-12" 15"-18" 3-7 10" Green
9.  Variegata
Bold, irregular, creamy white leaf margins that simply glow in the shade characterize this lovely Brunnera. This one will really light up the shady corners of your garden; some leaves can be almost entirely white! 11B-South Click to display 'Variegata' tag image 12"-15" 12"-15" 3-8 10" Green
Alyssum Lobularia hybrid
10.  Snow Princess
This sterile Lobularia is extremely vigorous, and beacuse it puts no energy into setting seed it has an incredibly long bloom time. Creates a beautiful hanging basket or window box and is a perfect filler in combination. New in 2010. 2C-North Click to display 'Snow Princess' tag image 14"-20" 14"-20" 9-11 4½" White
Lobularia maritima
11.  Clear Crystal Mix
Clear Crystal is more vigorous with larger flowers than Easter Bonnet. Gardeners and landscapers will enjoy the fragrant, large blooms and stronger performance in containers and in-ground plantings. 8D-South Click to display 'Clear Crystal Mix' tag image 6"-10" 6"-10" n/a Flat
12.  Clear Crystal Purple Shades
Clear Crystal is more vigorous with larger flowers than Easter Bonnet. Gardeners and landscapers will enjoy the fragrant, large blooms and stronger performance in containers and in-ground plantings. 8D-South Click to display 'Clear Crystal Purple Shades' tag image 6"-10" 6"-10" n/a Flat
13.  Clear Crystal White
Clear Crystal is more vigorous with larger flowers than Easter Bonnet. Gardeners and landscapers will enjoy the fragrant, large blooms and stronger performance in containers and in-ground plantings. 8D-South Click to display 'Clear Crystal White' tag image 6"-10" 6"-10" n/a Flat
14.  Easter Bonnet Deep Rose
Tidy, 3-4" bedding plants are matched in both habit and flowering for easy scheduling. Compact, uniform and early blooming, this series does exceptionally well from pack to garden. An excellent edging plant. 8D-South Click to display 'Easter Bonnet Deep Rose' tag image 4"-4" 9" n/a Flat
15.  Easter Bonnet Mix
Compact and tidy, covered with flowers, very early to bloom, great fragrance 8D-North Click to display 'Easter Bonnet Mix' tag image 4"-4" 9" n/a Flat
Amethyst violet, Bush viole Browallia
16.  Marine Bells
Ideal for hanging baskets, tubs and mixed containers, the free-flowering, vigorous plants have attractive 1.5-in. blooms. 8D-South Click to display 'Marine Bells' tag image 15"-15" 9" n/a Flat
Anagallis ('Wildcat®' Series) Anagallis hybrid
17.  Wildcat Blue
More compact and earlier to bloom, these true-blue flowers meander beautifully with other sprawlers, like Helichrysum 'Licorice'. 1C-South Click to display 'Wildcat Blue' tag image 6"-12" 12" 9-10 4½" White
18.  Wildcat Mandarin
Early flowers with large ocher-colord flowers all season. 1C-South Click to display 'Wildcat Mandarin' tag image 6"-12" 12" 9-10 4½" White
Anemone (Snowdrop) Anemone sylvestris
19.  Snowdrop Anemone
A delightful late spring bloomer with delicate charm and an iron constitution. Pure white flowers, measuring nearly 2 in. across, are borne singly on bare stems above the attractive dark green, divided foliage. 6B-South Click to display 'Snowdrop Anemone' tag image 12"-15" 12"-18" 3-8 4" Green
Arugula Eruca sativa
20.  Arugula 
Peppery-mustardy flavor wakes up the palate! Once a rare delicacy, Arugula is now part of the American dinner table. But for what it costs at the fresh market, growing your own is the only sane option! Leaves are best cut when 2"-3" long. 4C-South Click to display 'Arugula' tag image n/a 24"-30" 12"-14" n/a 4" Green
Asparagus Fern Asparagus densiflorus 
21.  Sprengeri
Delicate, bright green, needlelike leaves on arching stems with a trailing habit. This fern will create a dense fluffy look in containers. 3D-North Click to display 'Sprengeri' tag image n/a 12"-24" 12" 9-10 4" Green
Aster Aster
22.  Ball Florist Mix 
Tall aster for cutting. Double flowers in mixed shades. 8D-South Click to display 'Ball Florist Mix' tag image 36" 12"-18" n/a Flat
23.  Pot 'n Patio Mix 
The Pot & Patio Aster mix is fast growing variety with the dwarf plants reaching their maximum 6" after only a few months. The flowers grow to 3" across making them the perfect variety for planters or pots. 8D-South   n/a n/a   n/a n/a n/a Flat
Aster (Hardy) Aster x frikartii
24.  Mönch
'Monch' is treasured for its lavender-blue daisy-like flowers and its willingness to produce them nonstop all summer and into fall (if the spent flowers are removed). Foliage is an attractive gray-green. 7D-South Click to display 'Mönch' tag image 18"-18" 24" 6-10 6" Green
Aster (New York) Aster dumosus
25.  Wood's Blue
Densely packed clusters of clear light blue flowers provide outstanding color in the garden from late summer into fall. 'Wood's' selections have shown excellent resistance to mildew and rust. Dwarf, compact habit. 10C-North Click to display 'Wood's Blue' tag image 12"-16" 15"-20" 3-8 8" Green
26.  Wood's Purple
Densely packed clusters of charming purple, semi-double flowers provide outstanding color in the garden from late summer into fall. 'Wood's' selections have shown excellent resistance to mildew and rust. Dwarf, compact habit. 10C-North Click to display 'Wood's Purple' tag image 12"-16" 15"-20" 3-8 8" Green
Avens Geum chiloense
27.  Double Bloody Mary 
Grown for attractive hairy foliage and long blooming cheerful flowers in summer. Saucer shaped flowers are held high above foliage on long erect stems. 6C-North Click to display 'Double Bloody Mary' tag image 18"-24" 12"-18" 5-8 4" Green
Geum coccineum borisii
28.  Queen of Orange
 
Bright, deep orange semi-double blooms rise above neat compact foliage on slender branching stems. Overall habit is slightly larger and fuller than ‘Cooky’. ‘Queen of Orange’ is also a very early bloomer! n/a Click to display 'Queen of Orange' tag image n/a n/a 12"-18" 12"-14" 4-9 4½" White
Azalea Rhododendron
29.  Bollywood ('Farrow')
Bright neon red-pink flowers engulf this compact semi-evergreen Azalea in spring. Vivid, glossy, silver and dark green variegated foliage supplies the color the rest of the year.   Click to display 'Bollywood ('Farrow')' tag image 18"-24" 18"-24" 5 PW 3 Gallon
Bachelor Button Centaurea montana
30.  Mountain Bluet
The cornflower-blue, fringed blossoms of this perennial attract butterflies like magnets in the garden. Centaurea blooms from early to midsummer and usually blooms again in the fall if plants are cut back hard after the first flush. 5B-North Click to display 'Mountain Bluet' tag image 24" 24"-36" 3-8 4" Green
Bacopa Sutera
31.  Snowstorm Blue
Snowstorm Blue delivers a dark blue Sutera with a larger bloom that resembles the size of Giant Snowflake. It is an extremely prolific bloomer, and the color will stay stable from early spring through summer. Makes a stunning hanging basket. New in 2010. 1C-South Click to display 'Snowstorm Blue' tag image 4"-6" 8"-10" 9-11 4½" White
32.  Snowstorm Giant Snowflake
These 'living carpet' plants are vigorous, versatile, and superb as solo plantings or in combos. Easy to grow, much-loved, and much publicized by consumer magazines and TV programs. 1C-South Click to display 'Snowstorm Giant Snowflake' tag image 4"-8" 8"-10" n/a 4½" White
33.  Snowstorm Pink
Sutera is incredibly vigorous and versatile. Its light pink flowers make a "living carpet" that is unbeatable for rfilling those inevitable bare spots and spicing up small pots. 1C-South Click to display 'Snowstorm Pink' tag image 4"-8" 8"-10" n/a 4½" White
34.  Snowstorm White
A white Sutera that will not fade. With proper watering, the flower size, the strong color, and the temendous flower coverage will continue from early spring through summer. 1C-South Click to display 'Snowstorm White' tag image 4"-8" 8"-10" 9-11 4½" White
Balloon Flower Platycodon grandiflorus 
35.  Astra Pink
Interesting balloon-like buds burst open into beautiful bell-shaped flowers. Exceptional branching and thick flower petals make for long-lasting light pink blooms. 5B-North Click to display 'Astra Pink' tag image 8"-10" 6"-8" 3-8 4" Green
36.  Astra Semi-Double Blue
Blue balloon shaped buds open to semi- double, star shaped flowers on dwarf, compact foliage. 5B-North Click to display 'Astra Semi-Double Blue' tag image 6"-8" 8"-10" 4-8 4" Green
37.  Astra Semi-Double Lavender
Balloon-like buds burst into beautiful star-shaped lavender flowers. Dwarf selection that flowers continuously. Excellent for containers, beds and rock gardens. 5B-North Click to display 'Astra Semi-Double Lavender' tag image 6"-8" 8"-10" 4-8 4" Green
38.  Sentimental Blue
Interesting balloon-like buds burst open into beautiful blue, dwarf bell-shaped flowers. 'Sentimental Blue' is an excellent low-growing border or rock garden plant. It is a prolific bloomer that is pest and disease free. 5B-North Click to display 'Sentimental Blue' tag image 6"-8" 12" 3-8 4" Green
Barberry Berberis thunbergii 
39.  Ruby Carousel ('Bailone')
A low rounded, red leafed barberry with excellent uniformity. A great choice for low hedges or foundation plantings. Listed on the federal rust free barberry list. n/a Click to display 'Ruby Carousel ('Bailone')' tag image n/a 36"-42" 36"-48" 4-7 10" Green
Barberry (Golden)
40.  Sunjoy Gold Pillar ('Maria')
Similar in shape to Helmond Pillar, but with bright golden foliage and red new growth. Great garden architecture. Bright orange-red autumn foliage is stunning. Proven to be burn resistant in side by side tests with other yellow leaved barberry.   Click to display 'Sunjoy Gold Pillar ('Maria')' tag image n/a 36"-48" 12"-5' 4 PW 3 Gallon
Basil Ocimum basilicum
41.  Amethyst 
The darkest purple basil so far! Near Black leaves. Thick. Intense purplish-red leaves, compact habit, full flavored taste make this intriguing, attractive and deliciously fragrant addition to the herb garden. 4C-South Click to display 'Amethyst' tag image n/a 16"-20" 12"-16" n/a 4" Green
42.  Genovese (Nufar) 
Large leaves with spicy clove fragrance and flavor, perfect for pesto. Great in sauces, salads and meat dishes. White flowers are attractive in the herb garden, but are usually pinched off as buds form to promote high-quality leaves for cooking. 4C-South Click to display 'Genovese (Nufar)' tag image 24"-30" 12" n/a 4" Green
Ocimum x citriodorum
43.  Pesto Perpetuo
So strikingly different, your neighbors won't even know it's basil. Each tricolor leaf is a work of art, with deep green brush strokes across the lime center and white painted around the edges. And the taste is pure, unadulterated sweet basil. 4C-South Click to display 'Pesto Perpetuo' tag image n/a 36"-48" 12"-14" 9-11 4½" White
44.  Thai Stir Fry
 
  4C-South   n/a n/a n/a n/a 4½" White
Beard-tongue Penstemon barbatus
45.  Piñacoloda Deep Rose
Attractive flowers are exceptionally long blooming and irresistible to hummingbirds. A beautiful early summer addition to perennial borders or rock gardens. Lovely planted with cranesbill, yarrow and lamb's ears. Remove faded flowers to promote rebloom. 5B-North Click to display 'Piñacoloda Deep Rose' tag image 8"-12" 6"-8" 3-8 4" Green
Beautyberry Callicarpa dichotoma 
46.  Early Amethyst
Bright purple berries are a striking autumn accent. Sprays of fresh or dried berries are stunning in arrangements. Wonderful uniform shape and texture.   Click to display 'Early Amethyst' tag image n/a 36"-48" 36"-48" 5 10" Green
Bee Balm Monarda didyma 
47.  Gardenview Scarlet
Vibrant scarlet red flowers top the stout, square stems of this monarda from midsummer to early fall. It has demonstrated a high resistance to mildew. 11C-South Click to display 'Gardenview Scarlet' tag image 24"-36" 24"-36" 4-9 8" Green
48.  Panorama Mix 
Easy to grow with mixed flower colors of red, pink & mauve. Foliage has a mint fragrance. 5B-North Click to display 'Panorama Mix' tag image 24"-36" 18"-24" 3-9 4" Green
49.  Panorama Red Shades 
A striking selection of reds from deep scarlet to crimson. Attracts hummingbirds. 5B-North Click to display 'Panorama Red Shades' tag image 30"-30" 18"-24" 3-9 4" Green
50.  Purple Rooster
  11C-South Click to display 'Purple Rooster' tag image n/a n/a   n/a n/a n/a 8" Green
Common Name
Botanical Name
Cultivar
Description
Greenhouse Location Thumb-
nail Image
Flower Color Foliage Color Annual/ Perennial Exposure Early Middle Late Early Middle Late Early Middle Late Height Spread Hardiness Zone
(See Map)
Container Size
Spring Summer Autumn
Bloom Season

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