Surfinia Heartbeat petunia from Suntory. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
A few weeks ago, I made my annual trek to Cultivate, the country’s largest horticulture trade show in Columbus, Ohio. It’s where about 10,000 people go to see new plants, pots, tools, greenhouses, planting machines and more, at 1,000 booths in the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
The trade show is truly overwhelming, so it helps to have a plan. Mine is always to visit with the folks who send me items to trial. Then, I’m on the lookout for cool plants, something different or much improved on what’s available. Some years there are real stunners.
Surfinia ‘Heartbeat’, a trailing petunia from Suntory, was displayed everywhere, on banners, in pots and in faux garden settings. It’s easy to see why, because it is cute and interesting – pink hearts form where the petals fuse together.
Blue Frills Stokes aster from Blooms of Bressingham. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
This annual, with a slightly mounded habit, gets about 12 inches tall, with a 12-18 inch spread. It’s perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes and other containers in sunny locations. With flowers about 1 1/2-inches wide, plant ‘Heartbeat’ where you can appreciate its novel look.
Among the perennials, I really liked ‘Blue Frills’ Stokes’ aster, a cultivar of the eastern U.S. native plant (Stokesia laevis). ‘Blue Frills’, introduced by Blooms of Bressingham, has 2 ½-3 inch wide, blue-violet flowers with dark centers. The plant will get 18-24 inches tall and blooms for most of the summer into fall. Stokes aster prefers full sun and slightly more wet than dry soil.
Balsamic Bloom basil from the HGTV Home Plant Collection. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
In the edible landscape category, two plants caught my eye. Balsamic Blooms basil (Ocimum x ‘Dbasbloom’) will be a 2017 offering in the HGTV Home Plant collection. Usually we don’t want herbs to bloom because it can diminish the taste, but this basil was bred to bloom, yet retain its flavor. Just like other basils, Balsamic Blooms’ 3-inch wide flower is edible, too. The plant will get 12-18 inches tall.
Heavy Metal Chinese cabbage from Hort Couture. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Hort Couture Plant’s Edibliss Heavy Metal Chinese cabbage has beautiful, puckered, glossy dark purple, oval leaves with a touch of green at the center. In cooler temperatures, the foliage, streaked with bright white midribs, takes on a reddish hue.
Look for these plants next year in garden centers or look for seeds in online or mail-order retailers. Try something new.