{"id":106,"date":"2017-05-11T21:19:33","date_gmt":"2017-05-11T21:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/?p=106"},"modified":"2017-05-25T01:40:39","modified_gmt":"2017-05-25T01:40:39","slug":"top-10-for-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/top-10-for-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 for 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"827219ce0a87fa193c09e84c4c9a0f12\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:20px 0 20px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- MOINSBD Link Top -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-4387862990858706\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"6762903103\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"link\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>Operating two of the largest perennial nurseries in Canada gives owner John Schroeder a unique perspective on trends in gardening, and perennials in particular. Ten plants are chosen for Top 10 honours each year as his personal recommendations for your garden! As always, the list includes mostly new varieties, \u2018hand picked\u2019 for performance, landscape impact or even novelty.<\/p>\n<p>With so many new varieties coming onto the market each year, choosing the winners can be challenging for even the most experienced gardener.\u00a0 John helps you weed through the many options to find the most exceptional varieties. In addition to the best of the new, some of the best of the best as selected by key authorities, such as the international Perennial Plant Association, are also featured this year.<\/p>\n<p>John says:\u00a0 \u201c<em>New plants are just so exciting, especially when they are great improvements over older selections.\u00a0 At the same time, it is wonderful to see outstanding classics, such as this year\u2019s Perennial of the Year Anemone \u2018Honorine Jobert\u2019, enjoy their time in the spotlight.\u00a0 After all, if a plant is still being grown 158 years after its introduction, it\u2019s got to be worth a Top 10 pick<\/em>!\u201d Please enjoy what John has to say about this year&#8217;s crop of winners.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-3353 size-medium img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-1.png\" alt=\"Anemone Honorine Jobert\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/anemone-hybrida-honorine-jobert.html\">Anemone \u2018Honorine Jobert\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>As you would expect, if a variety first introduced 158 years ago (1858), still manages to collect recognition as the 2016 Perennial Plant of the Year, it must be one outstanding perennial.\u00a0 This reliable and showy Japanese (Autumn) Anemone brightens up any semi-shaded garden from September to October with large white flowers on a 120 cm (4 foot) plant.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Good, rich heavy loam soil is preferred, although such ideal conditions can encourage the plant to spread.\u00a0 It is easy however to keep in check with judicious trimming of any wandering roots.\u00a0 Good cut flowers for home use.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-3355 img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-2.png\" alt=\"Campanula Genti TwisterBell\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/campanula-glomerata-genti-twisterbell.html\">Campanula Genti TwisterBell<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>Clustered Bellflowers are popular, easy to grow perennials.\u00a0 This new selection has a mid-sized habit. Bicolour flowers of blue and white bloom up the stems at each leaf axil, which results in a long blooming period.\u00a0 Worth trying in containers; its relatively compact height makes it suitable for almost any garden.\u00a0 If desired, trim plants back to 10 cm (4\u201d) after flowering to rejuvenate the foliage and tidy it up for the remainder of the season. You might even experience some rebloom. The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has recognized this with an AGM (Award of Garden Merit) so we know it\u2019s good!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3368 img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-3.png\" alt=\"Clematis-recta-purpurea-Ser\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/clematis-recta-serious-black.html\">Clematis recta SERIOUS BLACK\u2122<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>I still clearly remember the day I first laid eyes on this plant, growing in a walled garden at Green Plant Farm in the UK.\u00a0 It drew me all the way across the garden with its dense eruption of smoky-purple foliage as I wondered: \u2018What is THAT!\u2019 Not a typical vining Clematis, it instead has a sprawling, bushy habit. The early purple foliage matures to a deep olive green, and it then produces a good display of fragrant little ivory flower clusters in late spring to early summer. Will require staking or an obelisk to grow into, otherwise this can be allowed to sprawl through an adjacent shrub.\u00a0 Prune to the ground in fall or early spring. May be divided in spring, but plants take a season to recover. Makes an interesting cut flower.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-3356 img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-4.jpg\" alt=\"Coreopsis Leading Lady Charlize\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/coreopsis-leading-lady-charlize.html\">Coreopsis Leading Lady\u2122 \u2018Charlize\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>Literally hundreds of varieties of tickseed exist, from old standard perennials to brand new annuals.\u00a0 The big emphasis on breeding in this genus is a testament to its garden merit.\u00a0 This movie-star named addition to the Leading Lady series brings long blooming performance to a Zone 4 hardy perennial.\u00a0 The good sized double flowers are more of a true yellow than many similar varieties.\u00a0 The variety is day-neutral, a technical term which means the plant begins blooming early, but flowers continue through the summer. Foliage is mildew resistant as well, making this variety a true \u2018Best of Show\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-3358 img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-5.png\" alt=\"Echinacea Butterfly Rainbow Marcella\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/echinacea-butterfly-rainbow-marcella.html\">Echinacea Butterfly\u2122 \u2018Rainbow Marcella\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>This latest introduction to the popular Butterfly series from AB-Cultivars in the Netherlands.\u00a0 There are lots of Echinacea to chose from, but this particular breeder is<br \/>\nknown for producing good, solid, reliable varieties that combine performance with beauty. \u2018Rainbow Marcella\u2019 prolifically produces sherbet-orange single flowers, which age to soft, raspberry pink.\u00a0 Long blooming, this will complement any garden setting in which it can enjoy full sun.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3359 alignright img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-6.png\" alt=\"Heuchera Champagne\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/heuchera-champagne.html\">Heuchera \u2018Champagne\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>Probably no other genus has come to define the prolific plant breeding at\u00a0Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon like Heuchera.\u00a0 It is easy to see why coral bells have so beguiled many\u00a0 breeders and millions of gardeners.\u00a0 Foliage that endures the entire growing season, available in a rainbow of colours, perfect for mixed containers, great in gardens.\u00a0 What we look for at Heritage Perennials are new colours on reliable, disease free plants. \u2018Champagne\u2019 delivers a stunningly beautiful progression of foliage in colours from peach, to gold, to champagne-gold.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3362 alignleft img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-7.png\" alt=\"Hosta Curly Fries\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/hosta-curly-fries.html\">Hosta \u2018Curly Fries\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>The 2016 Hosta of the Year as chosen by the AHGA (American Hosta Growers Association).\u00a0 Hosta are well known as some of the best performing perennials for shady gardens.\u00a0 However, not everyone has room for the big leafed monsters, hence the growing popularity of smaller (miniature) varieties. Perhaps that is why \u2018Curly Fries\u2019 was awarded the 2016 honour. Or perhaps it was because it is one of the most unique varieties around.\u00a0 Stiff, long narrow leaves with heavily ruffled edges emerge chartreuse and brighten to yellow, especially if provided with sun for half the day.\u00a0 Lavender flowers in midsummer add extra colour, as do the red speckles on mature leaf petioles.\u00a0 Fantastic in smaller containers, or perhaps in front of that bright blue hosta in your border. Remember when you shop at your favourite garden center this spring that whatever else you order, you\u2019ll want some \u2018Curly Fries\u2019 with that!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3364 alignright img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-8.png\" alt=\"Lychnis Petite Jenny\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/lychnis-floscuculi-petite-jenny.html\">Lychnis \u2018Petite Jenny\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>Blooms of Bressingham introduced the popular \u2018Jenny\u2019 a few years ago, and now she has a little sister, \u2018Petite Jenny\u2019.\u00a0 Since this compact, bushy just 35cm (14\u201d) tall variety was found in a garden patch of Jenny, she might best be described as a daughter instead.\u00a0 Sterile flowers ensure the plant blooms for a longer season.\u00a0 Soft, lavender pink double flowers bloom May and June, with some later flowering in summer. This variety of the commonly named Ragged Robin is hardy to zone 5, and is useful in formal and informal gardens, borders, meadows or containers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3365 alignleft img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-9.png\" alt=\"Sedum Sunsparkler Firecracker\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/sedum-sunsparkler-firecracker.html\">Sedum Sunsparkler\u2122 \u2018Firecracker\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>Ground cover sedums, such as the commonly grown Dragon\u2019s Blood forms, have been popular for years.\u00a0 Easy to grow and spreading quickly, they tolerate drought, full sun and poor soils better than most perennials while still putting on a foliage and flower show.\u00a0 Here at Heritage Perennials, we\u2019re very excited about the new Sunsparkler series of Sedum, which takes this perennial to a new level of performance.\u00a0 \u2018Firecracker\u2019 features shiny cherry-red foliage from April through November on 15cm (6\u201d) tall plants with a 45cm (18\u201d) spread.\u00a0 In mid to late August, large medium-pink flower heads provide extra colour. These zone 4 plants are excellent in mixed container plantings, garden edging, green roofs and a multitude of other sunny locations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3363 alignright img-circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/flower-10.png\" alt=\"Itoh Paeonia Joanna Marlene\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/paeonia-joanna-marlene.html\">Paeonia \u2018Joanna Marlene\u2019<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>While technically an Intersectional hybrid peony, this is more commonly known as an Itoh Peony, named after Mr. Toichi Itoh, the first successful hybridizer of woody and garden peony species.\u00a0 The Intersectional (a cross between two species) hybrids combine the best qualities of both parents. \u2018Joanna Marlene\u2019 is a new variety introduced by American breeder Roger Anderson, who considers it one of his favourites.\u00a0 This variety produces very large semi-double soft yellow blossoms. As the flowers mature, they take on a peachy tone with pink highlights. As with other Itoh peonies, \u2018Joanna Marlene\u2019 is a strong performer with flowers that hold up well even in wind and rain.\u00a0 This is a plant that can be considered a garden legacy plant, providing flowers and joy for many years, even decades.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Operating two of the largest perennial nurseries in Canada gives owner John Schroeder a unique perspective on trends in gardening, and perennials in particular. Ten plants are chosen for Top 10 honours each year as his personal recommendations for your garden! As always, the list includes mostly new varieties, \u2018hand picked\u2019 for performance, landscape impact [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-10-lists"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4331,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions\/4331"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}