{"id":4859,"date":"2018-05-17T20:52:10","date_gmt":"2018-05-17T20:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/?p=4859"},"modified":"2018-05-17T22:22:49","modified_gmt":"2018-05-17T22:22:49","slug":"top-10-for-2018-by-john-schroeder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/top-10-for-2018-by-john-schroeder\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 for 2018 by John Schroeder"},"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>Spring comes eventually every year, though many of us might be forgiven for thinking that 2018 was going to be the exception.\u00a0 Now, here it is mid-May, and plants and gardens everywhere are rushing to make up for lost time by bursting into growth and flower.<\/p>\n<p>That must mean it\u2019s time to roll out our list of our Top 10 perennials for the season!<\/p>\n<p>In making this list each year, I take into consideration my personal experience along with the opinion of our team of growers, perennial experts and salespeople at both Heritage Perennial locations. With hundreds of new introductions to the industry each year, we\u2019ve got lots to do, sorting through many trial garden results and industry publications to find the best new items.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4860\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Allium-Millenium-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Allium-Millenium-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Allium-Millenium-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Allium-Millenium.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>1. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/allium-millenium.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Allium \u2018Millenium\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nThe 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year, as chosen by the members of the Perennial Plant Association.\u00a0 First introduced in 2000, this plant has had\u00a0almost two decades to prove its great value in gardens across North America.\u00a0 Which attributes make it so good?\u00a0 Great foliage all year, virtually pest and problem free, very hardy, low maintenance, very pollinator friendly, late summer blooming\u2026the list goes on and on. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/perennial-plant-of-the-year-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read all about it here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>2. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4861\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dianthus-Key-Lime-Pie-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dianthus-Key-Lime-Pie-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dianthus-Key-Lime-Pie-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dianthus-Key-Lime-Pie.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/dianthus-american-pie-key-lime-pie.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dianthus \u2018Key Lime Pie\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nThe American Pie\u2122 series of hardy pinks is another breeding success from the peerless UK Dianthus breeding firm of Whetman\u00ae Pinks.\u00a0 A focus on cold and drought tolerance, compact habit, scent and garden performance has ensured that Whetman\u00ae varieties have been awarded the highest accolades.\u00a0 While all varieties in the American Pie\u2122 series share attributes such as sturdy stems, single, long-lasting cut-flowers and repeat blooming, we\u2019re taken by the unique green apple centers of the pure white blooms on \u2018Key Lime Pie\u2019.\u00a0 Besides that, who doesn\u2019t love key lime pie?\u00a0 Rated Zone 5 (though quite possibly hardier).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4862\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dicentra-Valentine-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dicentra-Valentine-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dicentra-Valentine-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dicentra-Valentine-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dicentra-Valentine-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Dicentra-Valentine.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>3.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/dicentra-spectabilis-valentine.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dicentra spectabilis \u2018Valentine\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nThis is such a great plant that I am surprised I\u2019ve never included it in a Top 10 list. Perhaps that\u2019s because bleeding hearts are such a mainstay of gardeners everywhere in the world. This improved form is just as reliable and colourful as the traditional form, but features true-red flowers on dark red stems, on a much more compact plant.\u00a0 It really is a winner in more ways than one, winning first prize in several international perennial evaluations.\u00a0 On an interesting side-note, gardeners Phyllis and Lyle Sarrazin of Prince George, British Columbia, spotted this as a chance seedling in their garden.\u00a0 It always pays to keep an eye out for new things in your garden.\u00a0 Zone 3.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>4.\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4863\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Echinacea-P.-Green-Twister-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Echinacea-P.-Green-Twister-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Echinacea-P.-Green-Twister-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Echinacea-P.-Green-Twister.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/echinacea-purpurea-green-twister.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Echinacea \u2018Green Twister\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nJelitto Perennial Seeds of Germany, one of the world\u2019s great perennial seed houses, introduced this exciting new variety of Echinacea in 2017.\u00a0 As the originators of the award winning \u2018Magnus\u2019 and other coneflower varieties, Jelitto is well qualified to identify winning varieties, and they\u2019re very excited about this one.\u00a0 \u2018Green Twister\u2019 introduces a very unique colour scheme with green, light green, to yellow-edged petals surrounding a carmine-red center with a large cone.\u00a0 Being seed-produced, variations such as dark burgundy stems and the occasional extra large petal count can be seen. Unique, unusual and reliable. Zone 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Paeonia-Haleighs-Hallelujah-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Paeonia-Haleighs-Hallelujah-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Paeonia-Haleighs-Hallelujah-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Paeonia-Haleighs-Hallelujah.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>5.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/paeonia-haleighs-hallelujah.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Paeonia \u2018Haleigh\u2019s Hallelujah\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nHallelujah indeed for Itoh (also known as interspecific hybrid) peonies!\u00a0 These spectacular plants combine the best of both of their parent\u2019s into one powerhouse performance.\u00a0 We\u2019re not sure who Haleigh is, but her namesake produces gorgeous pink blooms. As they mature, the deep pink flowers fade to cream with pink edging.\u00a0 Secondary flowers after the main flush of blooms are a bonus.\u00a0 Zone 3.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4865\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Phlox-Forever-Pink-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Phlox-Forever-Pink-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Phlox-Forever-Pink-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Phlox-Forever-Pink.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><br \/>\n6. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/phlox-forever-pink.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phlox \u2018Forever Pink\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nFirst of all, let\u2019s agree there are a lot of phlox species, varieties and hybrids out there. One of the reasons for their popularity is their ability to wow with masses of brilliant colour. Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden obviously loves phlox, since his breeding program has generated some spectacular new forms. \u2018Forever Pink\u2019, one of his recent introductions, is taller than the creeping forms, but much more compact than the typical garden phlox. Plants are dense and clump-forming and remain upright all season. Disease resistance, large flowers, June bloom time and repeat flowering well into October round out the list of exceptional attributes. Clip off the spent flowers of the initial peak bloom to maximize rebloom. Zone 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4866\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Pulmonaria-Shrimps-on-the-Barbie-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Pulmonaria-Shrimps-on-the-Barbie-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Pulmonaria-Shrimps-on-the-Barbie-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Pulmonaria-Shrimps-on-the-Barbie.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>7.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/pulmonaria-shrimps-on-the-barbie.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pulmonaria \u2018Shrimps on the Barbie\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nThe very busy plant breeders at Terra Nova Nurseries never stop their pipeline of new perennial introductions. From early on, Pulmonaria was one of the genera they focused on improving.\u00a0 This variety produces unusual coral-pink flowers on a vigorous spreading plant.\u00a0 Bright green, spotted foliage is mildew, rabbit and deer-resistant. If cut back hard immediately after blooming, a second flush of healthy, attractive foliage is the reward. A showy and dependable spring bloomer for your shady garden or light woodland. Zone 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>8.\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4867\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Salvia-n.-sallyrosa-april-night-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Salvia-n.-sallyrosa-april-night-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Salvia-n.-sallyrosa-april-night-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Salvia-n.-sallyrosa-april-night.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/salvia-nemorosa-sallyrosa-april-night.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Salvia Sallyrosa\u2122 \u2018April Night\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nThere are a great number of sages grown in gardens throughout the world.\u00a0 Many are tough, reliable, drought tolerant and colourful. As a result, there are lots of breeders working on new varieties to improve on existing old standards.\u00a0 \u2018April Night\u2019 blooms about a month earlier than the old workhorse \u2018May Night\u2019, and has a much denser, stronger growing habit.\u00a0 Deep blue flowers continue into early June.\u00a0 Zone 5.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4868\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hakonechloa-macra-\u2018Sunflare\u2019-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hakonechloa-macra-\u2018Sunflare\u2019-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hakonechloa-macra-\u2018Sunflare\u2019-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hakonechloa-macra-\u2018Sunflare\u2019.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>9.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/hakonechloa-macra-sunflare.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hakonechloa macra \u2018Sunflare\u2019<\/a><br \/>\nJapanese forest grass is a classic, well-behaved and choice garden plant. This stunning, recently introduced Canadian cultivar brings foliage colours never before seen on Hakonechloa.\u00a0 Cascading vibrant chartreuse leaves become intensely golden-yellow if grown in bright sun. Fall foliage adds burnt-orange and burgundy-red to the gold and chartreuse base.\u00a0 Growth is neat and compact, exhibiting the graceful, cascading foliage of the genus. Zone 5.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>10.\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4869\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sempervivum-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sempervivum-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sempervivum-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sempervivum.jpg 504w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/results.html?findplant=sempervivum&amp;searchbutton.x=20&amp;searchbutton.y=6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sempervivum (Hen-and-chicks)<\/a><br \/>\nWait, you say, Sempervivum have been around forever, and besides, this is a genus, not a single variety.\u00a0 Yes, I say, you\u2019re right, but you are missing the point.\u00a0 Succulents are the hottest thing in gardening right now, and hen-and-chicks are some of the hardiest, most dependable, and colourful examples.\u00a0 Whether they\u2019re sold in our Rock Star\u00ae pots, our Garden Gladiator\u2122 line, or in our blue Heritage Perennials\u00ae pots, you can be sure to find a perfect spot in your garden\/container\/patio\/green roof\/ etc, for these fabulous plants.\u00a0 With hundreds of varieties available, you\u2019ll be sure to find plenty to love.\u00a0 Zone 3.<\/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>Spring comes eventually every year, though many of us might be forgiven for thinking that 2018 was going to be the exception.\u00a0 Now, here it is mid-May, and plants and gardens everywhere are rushing to make up for lost time by bursting into growth and flower. That must mean it\u2019s time to roll out our [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":4860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4859","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\/4859","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\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4859"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4859\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4880,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4859\/revisions\/4880"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}