B&W petunias, sedums and food plants in demand this spring

Black Velvet with white petunia sports the perfect racing theme.

Entertaining for Race Day?

Of course, black and white is the trendy choice this time of year and fortunately for race fans, Ball Horticulture saw our need. This year, the company introduced ‘Black Velvet’ petunia. This annual flower really looks black, and not just a dark purple like other ‘black’ plants. Mix it with a white petunia and you’ve got a checkerboard pattern with ruffled, rounded squares.

Other trends this spring:

• Sedums, especially tiny ones for fairy gardens, strawberry pots or shallow bowls are very popular. Small, low growing sedums also can be planted in the landscape as a ground cover. ‘John Creech’ and S. kamtschaticum are a couple of candidates for light foot traffic. For shady areas, consider S. ternatum, a low-growing native sedum. ‘Larinem Park’ is a good variety.
• Vegetables, herbs and small fruits are in high demand this spring. Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, asparagus, potatoes and, of course, tomatoes and peppers of every shape, color and heat, top the list. However, it’s been hard to find rain-free days when the soil is not saturated for planting.
• There seems to be less interest in Topsy Turvy and other type of gimmick planters. But container gardening remains very popular for food and flowers.
• Gardeners are using more tropical plants in their landscapes, especially in pots on decks or patios. Banana (Musa or Ensete), Gardenia, Hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis), Plectranthus, Persian shield (Strobilanthese), bloodleaf (Iresine), polka dot plant (Hypoestes) and purple heart (Tradescantia) are popular choices.
• Lantanas are hard to find. These colorful, sun- and heat-loving, woody plants can be upright or trailing types and they bloom all summer. They are so versatile for pots, window boxes, hanging baskets or in the ground. Although not winter hardy here, Lantana loves our summers and our butterflies love it.