10 New Flowering Plants for More Garden Color in 2018
These perennials and shrubs have long-lasting color and beautiful blooms, and they attract birds and butterflies too
Lauren Dunec Hoang
January 31, 2018
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset's Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and... More
Bursting with blooms in coral red, gold, pale green and purple, this year’s new flowering plant introductions offer a rainbow of options for adding color to gardens. Plus, the standout blooms on many of these plants attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Take a look at this selection of 10 new flowering perennials and shrubs to try.
Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc
1. Constant Coral Lewisia
(Lewisia Constant Coral)
This low-water beauty blooms continuously from May to October with a watercolor range of coral pink to soft orange flowers, each petal ringed with white. Plant in rock gardens, well-draining containers and sunny beds, paired with other low-water favorites like Sedum and Coreopsis.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Part shade to full sun
Mature size: 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide
(Lewisia Constant Coral)
This low-water beauty blooms continuously from May to October with a watercolor range of coral pink to soft orange flowers, each petal ringed with white. Plant in rock gardens, well-draining containers and sunny beds, paired with other low-water favorites like Sedum and Coreopsis.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Part shade to full sun
Mature size: 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide
Darwin Perennials
2. Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower
(Echinacea x hybrida)
Granada Gold is a sunny new addition to Darwin Perennials’ Sombrero line of coneflowers — which all stand out for strong winter hardiness and mounding habit. Plants bloom from late spring to late summer with large golden-yellow flowers that resist fading, even in baking heat. Plant in well-draining soil in sunny borders and watch as bees and butterflies flit from flower to flower.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 18 to 20 inches tall and 22 to 24 inches wide
(Echinacea x hybrida)
Granada Gold is a sunny new addition to Darwin Perennials’ Sombrero line of coneflowers — which all stand out for strong winter hardiness and mounding habit. Plants bloom from late spring to late summer with large golden-yellow flowers that resist fading, even in baking heat. Plant in well-draining soil in sunny borders and watch as bees and butterflies flit from flower to flower.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 18 to 20 inches tall and 22 to 24 inches wide
3. Candy Apple Hydrangea
(Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHPMWMH’)
Add freshness to garden beds with airy, pale-green blooms that age to a snowy white by midsummer. Unlike pale-green flowering look-alike ‘Limelight’ panicled hydrangeas, the flowers of Candy Apple are held up on sturdier stems that don’t flop over. Flowers can be cut for long-lasting bouquets. Grow as part of a mixed border, in woodland settings, along a fence, as a foundation plant or in containers as a patio accent.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate to high; keep soil evenly moist
Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun
Mature size: Up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide
(Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHPMWMH’)
Add freshness to garden beds with airy, pale-green blooms that age to a snowy white by midsummer. Unlike pale-green flowering look-alike ‘Limelight’ panicled hydrangeas, the flowers of Candy Apple are held up on sturdier stems that don’t flop over. Flowers can be cut for long-lasting bouquets. Grow as part of a mixed border, in woodland settings, along a fence, as a foundation plant or in containers as a patio accent.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate to high; keep soil evenly moist
Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun
Mature size: Up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide
Darwin Perennials
4. Mountain Frost Pink PomPom Cheddar Pinks
(Dianthus x hybrida)
With sweet-smelling flowers on a small mounding plant, Mountain Frost Pink PomPom makes a charming addition to rock gardens and sunny borders. The rose-colored flowers open in early spring, bloom until autumn and require almost no maintenance for the season (cutting back spent stems encourages more blooms). Mix with other low-water, sun-loving garden plants like myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites, zones 5 to 9), lantana, sea thrift (Armeria maritima, zones 4 to 8) and mixed succulents. It needs quick-draining soil, and its flowers attract butterflies.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 6 to 8 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide
(Dianthus x hybrida)
With sweet-smelling flowers on a small mounding plant, Mountain Frost Pink PomPom makes a charming addition to rock gardens and sunny borders. The rose-colored flowers open in early spring, bloom until autumn and require almost no maintenance for the season (cutting back spent stems encourages more blooms). Mix with other low-water, sun-loving garden plants like myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites, zones 5 to 9), lantana, sea thrift (Armeria maritima, zones 4 to 8) and mixed succulents. It needs quick-draining soil, and its flowers attract butterflies.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 6 to 8 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide
5. Martha’s Vineyard Bigleaf Hydrangea
(Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmavi’)
With long-lasting pink blooms and a compact plant form, this hydrangea variety is a useful new addition to Monrovia’s Seaside Serenade collection. The small size makes Martha’s Vineyard a suitable border or container plant. The deeply saturated color of the mop-head blooms is not influenced by soil pH like some other hydrangeas.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate to high; keep soil evenly moist
Light requirement: Partial shade to filtered sun
Mature size: 3½ feet tall and 3 feet wide
(Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmavi’)
With long-lasting pink blooms and a compact plant form, this hydrangea variety is a useful new addition to Monrovia’s Seaside Serenade collection. The small size makes Martha’s Vineyard a suitable border or container plant. The deeply saturated color of the mop-head blooms is not influenced by soil pH like some other hydrangeas.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate to high; keep soil evenly moist
Light requirement: Partial shade to filtered sun
Mature size: 3½ feet tall and 3 feet wide
Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc
6. ‘Morello’ Agastache
(Agastache ‘Morello’)
With nonstop blooms from May until October, ‘Morello’ agastache, also called ‘Morello’ hummingbird mint, provides a steady splash of burgundy-rose to garden beds. The tall, densely packed flower spikes are rich in nectar and act as magnets for bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Plant in soil rich in organic matter and with good drainage — essential if overwintering plants in beds. Pair with bee balm (Monarda spp.), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, zones 3 to 9) and salvias to create a pollinator garden.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 10)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 27 inches tall and 22 inches wide
(Agastache ‘Morello’)
With nonstop blooms from May until October, ‘Morello’ agastache, also called ‘Morello’ hummingbird mint, provides a steady splash of burgundy-rose to garden beds. The tall, densely packed flower spikes are rich in nectar and act as magnets for bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Plant in soil rich in organic matter and with good drainage — essential if overwintering plants in beds. Pair with bee balm (Monarda spp.), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, zones 3 to 9) and salvias to create a pollinator garden.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 10)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 27 inches tall and 22 inches wide
7. ‘Midnight Masquerade’ Penstemon
(Penstemon hybrid)
With eggplant-purple leaves and lavender bell-shaped flowers with white interiors, the colors of ‘Midnight Masquerade’ penstemon, also known as ‘Midnight Masquerade’ beardtongue, make a head-turning combination. Plant in full sun in garden beds or in large mixed container plantings as a dramatic “thriller.” The bell-shaped flowers open from the base to the tip of the upright flower stalks from mid-spring to midsummer. The plant’s flowers attract hummingbirds.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 37.2 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 36 to 40 inches tall and 28 to 32 inches wide
(Penstemon hybrid)
With eggplant-purple leaves and lavender bell-shaped flowers with white interiors, the colors of ‘Midnight Masquerade’ penstemon, also known as ‘Midnight Masquerade’ beardtongue, make a head-turning combination. Plant in full sun in garden beds or in large mixed container plantings as a dramatic “thriller.” The bell-shaped flowers open from the base to the tip of the upright flower stalks from mid-spring to midsummer. The plant’s flowers attract hummingbirds.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 37.2 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 36 to 40 inches tall and 28 to 32 inches wide
Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc
8. ‘Coconut’ Double Shasta Daisy
(Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Coconut’)
As frothy as a blended piña colada, ‘Coconut’ has double blossoms with creamy petals and egg-yolk-yellow centers. Plants grow in a mounding habit, 20 inches tall and wide, staying smaller and more compact than other shasta daisies. Try ‘Coconut’ massed in borders, mixed in beds or in containers. The deer-resistant plants bloom from June until August and attract pollinators.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 20 inches tall and wide
(Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Coconut’)
As frothy as a blended piña colada, ‘Coconut’ has double blossoms with creamy petals and egg-yolk-yellow centers. Plants grow in a mounding habit, 20 inches tall and wide, staying smaller and more compact than other shasta daisies. Try ‘Coconut’ massed in borders, mixed in beds or in containers. The deer-resistant plants bloom from June until August and attract pollinators.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 20 inches tall and wide
9. Lakota Santa Fe Coneflower
(Echinacea hybrid)
This new coneflower hybrid stands out for its incredibly bright mixed flower colors — one can spot blooms in sunset shades of red, red-orange and magenta pink on a single plant. The carefree plants resist deer, tolerate a range of soil types, are drought-tolerant once established and attract bees and butterflies. Lakota Santa Fe stays fairly short (topping out between 12 to 16 inches tall), and makes a nice addition to containers or as a hot-colored accent in mixed borders.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 12 to 16 inches tall and 16 to 18 inches wide
(Echinacea hybrid)
This new coneflower hybrid stands out for its incredibly bright mixed flower colors — one can spot blooms in sunset shades of red, red-orange and magenta pink on a single plant. The carefree plants resist deer, tolerate a range of soil types, are drought-tolerant once established and attract bees and butterflies. Lakota Santa Fe stays fairly short (topping out between 12 to 16 inches tall), and makes a nice addition to containers or as a hot-colored accent in mixed borders.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate; low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 12 to 16 inches tall and 16 to 18 inches wide
10. Golden Jackpot Weigela
(Weigela florida ‘MonRigney’)
The flashy pairing of magenta flowers and brilliant golden leaves sets Golden Jackpot apart from other weigela. Add to cottage-style and traditional gardens, where the vivid combination will stand out in border plantings or when placed on either side of a gate. Even in full sun and in the heat of summer, the leaves hold their brilliant color without fading. The bell-shaped flowers bloom in mid-spring, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; water regularly in extreme heat
Light requirement: Partial to full sun
Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide
Note: Plants listed in the story are all new to garden centers in 2018 and may need to be special-ordered through a nursery.
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(Weigela florida ‘MonRigney’)
The flashy pairing of magenta flowers and brilliant golden leaves sets Golden Jackpot apart from other weigela. Add to cottage-style and traditional gardens, where the vivid combination will stand out in border plantings or when placed on either side of a gate. Even in full sun and in the heat of summer, the leaves hold their brilliant color without fading. The bell-shaped flowers bloom in mid-spring, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate; water regularly in extreme heat
Light requirement: Partial to full sun
Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide
Note: Plants listed in the story are all new to garden centers in 2018 and may need to be special-ordered through a nursery.
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@hsmeghan: That would actually be an ideal location (but of course don't dig or plant anywhere near the propane line - you don't want roots damaging the line - so allow for lots of root expansion) -- it is not compact or tidy -- just big and bushy. :-) Although not straggly like a butterfly bush - it is only during the winter that you notice how 'thin' it actually is. But come spring/summer those leaves really fill it out and you won't see much of that tank throughout the growing season. I wish I had a photo to show you, but I did a little research and I found that mine is a "Pink Splash Variegated Weigela". enjoy!
@dvd94, this is all such good information, thank you! And yes, we did avoid planting by the propane line. Maybe Houzz should do a whole article on how to hide your propane tank safely! 8^)
Which of these flowering plants are ok to plant in Northern California yards?