11 of the Hottest Plants in 2012

• By
• Allison Murray

Image by iStock
This Fresh Breeze clematis blooms right in time for summer

Treat yourself (and your spring garden) to some of 2012’s new plant sensations
 

1. Celmatis Sea Breeze

Clematis vancouver™ sea breeze combines flower power with resistance to disease. Clearview Horticulture’s latest and greatest displays large and abundant lavender flowers in late spring and into fall. Wavy-edged petals are contrasted with a yellow stamen and the lavender petals sometimes display a rosy tone. The height of this exceptionally floriferous cultivar makes it suitable for large containers and other garden applications.


Plant type: Woody climber

Height: 1.5–2.5 m (5–7 ft.)

Bloom time: June to October

Zone 4

Exposure: Partial to full sun

Maintenance: Like most clematis, this cultivar prefers well-drained soil. Add a handful of dolomite lime if you live on the coast. Pruning is optional and, if desired, should be done in late winter or early spring.


2. Dynatime Dahlias

‘Strawberry Lemonade’ dahlias are available from Van Noort Bulb Company. They have gorgeous combinations of soft peach and hot rosy pink and a long blooming period that extends from summer through fall. Freshly cut flowers make wonderful bouquets and artistic arrangements for any occasion. Fabulous for containers or any sunny spot.


Plant type: Perennial if the tender tubers are dug from the garden and stored over winter

Height: 100 cm (40 in.)

Bloom time: Summer through fall

Exposure: Full sun, but will tolerate some shade 


3. Bloom-A-Thon Azaleas

Bloom-A-Thon® reblooming azaleas (Rhododendron) are heavy bloomers, with months of large flowers in white, red, double pink or dark lavender. Proven Winners stuns with these azaleas that begin their blooming cycle with four to six weeks in April and May, followed by a second blooming period beginning in late summer. The accompanying evergreen foliage maintains its colour year-round and is disease resistant. 


Plant type: Evergreen shrub

Height: 61–183 cm (2–6 ft.), with a 91–122 cm (36–48 in.) spread

Bloom time: Spring and late summer 

Zone 6 (but likely hardy for much colder zones; cold-hardiness is still being evaluated)

Exposure: Part shade 

Maintenance: Provide deep watering during summer dry spells and fertile well-drained organic soil. Prune to shape and fertilize after the first major spring bloom.


4. 3D Daisies

Ball Horticultural introduces the world’s first double African daisy Osteospermum 3D series. Available in silver, pink or purple, these dramatic annuals stay open all day and night for high impact in the garden. Perfect for cool-season or early-spring containers.


Plant type: Tender perennial 

Height: 30–40 cm (12–16 in.), with a spread of 45–60 cm (18–24 in.)

Bloom time: Late spring to autumn

Zone 9

Exposure: Sun


5. Hosta Heaven


The little darling™ hosta is an exclusive to Monrovia this spring. Leaves beautifully patterned with green and creamy yellow cover this very tidy hosta with a dwarf mounding habit. Foliage is brightly coloured with stable variegation, while dainty white flower spikes appear in July. Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil. A solid performer and excellent addition to outdoor containers or a border!


Plant type: Perennial 

Height: 26 cm (10 in.), with a spread of 36 cm
 (14 in.)

Bloom time: Summer

Zone 3
Exposure: Full to partial shade

Maintenance: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Divide clumps every two to three years in early spring.


6. Double-flowring Superbells

Introducing the first double-flowering superbells® double ruby, double rose and double lavender. These Proven Winners products are grown at Abbotsford’s Nordic Nurseries. Double-flowered Calibrachoa hybrids offer masses of large, deeply coloured blooms on mounding plants with an excellent habit. Vigorous, heat tolerant and disease resistant, superbells are easy-care beauties. The key to successful blooms, however, is to not overwater. Use them in containers or in any dry, sunny parts of your garden where other plants struggle. 


Plant type: Annual

Height: 15–25 cm (6–10 in.), with a spread of 30-61 cm (12–24 in.) 

Bloom time: From planting to hard frost

Exposure: Partial to full sun

Maintenance: Prefers ground with good drainage because susceptible to root rot when soil is constantly damp. Allow top of soil to dry between waterings. Fertilize regularly. No deadheading necessary but can be trimmed back if necessary.

7. Cucumber Crazy

Introducing the super-yielding cucumber ‘Corentine’, with seeds available through McFayden. This is a parthenocarpic smooth-pickling cucumber with permanently good fruit and continual harvests. Fruits are firm, nicely shaped and radiate a lovely rich dark-green colour. McFayden recommends this cultivar as an alternative for ‘Cool Breeze,’ because these two share many growing characteristics. 


Plant type: Edible

Bloom time: 45 days to maturity

Exposure: Full sun

Maintenance: Keep soil evenly moist.

8. New Wave

Non-stop blooms ensure the Silk n’ Satin combo commands attention in any garden, container or hanging basket. Seeds of two delightful annuals are rolled into each seed pellet; you’ll grow Veseys’ ‘Pink Easy Wave’ petunia and ‘Snowtopia’ bacopa together. This combo unites the best of both cultivars, culminating with beautiful pink trumpet-shaped blooms, accented by small white dainty flowers that grow on dark-green cascading foliage.


Plant type: Both are tender perennials grown as annuals (bacopa survives mild winters)

Height: The petunia mounds to 15-20 cm (6-8 in.) and the bacopa trails below it

Bloom time: All summer

Exposure: Prefer full sun

Maintenance: Both can be sheared back if either appears leggy and will re-grow quickly. Require adequate moisture and diluted fertilizer once a week.


9. 'La Perle' Peony

‘La Perle’ peony has full double blooms, with twice the petals, all kissed by an elegant hint of pink that becomes more prominent towards the centre. Bailey Nurseries charms this season by coupling the sophistication of understated colour with a spicy fragrance in this floriferous, medium-height beauty that is both deer resistant and good for cutting.


Plant type: Perennial

Height: 61–76 cm (24–30 in.), with a 76-cm (30-in.) spread

Bloom time: Early summer

Zone 3

Exposure: Full sun

Maintenance: Drought tolerant.


10. 'Gandhi' Butterhead Lettuce

‘Gandhi’ butterhead lettuce from West Coast Seeds has loosely filled firm heads, with flat bottoms and rich, fresh flavour. ‘Gandhi’ was a standout specimen in West Coast Seeds’ 2010 lettuce trials, being slow to bolt and with a very high resistance to powdery mildew. ‘Gandhi’ seeds are certified organic and pelleted for easy sowing.



Harvest time: 70 days to maturity

Maintenance: Easy growing indoors or out.


11. Zucchini 'Buckingham'

Zucchini ‘Buckingham,’ a compact yellow cultivar well-suited to containers, is one of several new edible offerings from Tried & True this season. With a strong frame and tidy habit, ‘Buckingham’ produces lots of fruit, reaching maturity between 40 and 45 days. As a highly versatile veggie, this brightly coloured zucchini can also be grown in open-ground gardens. Harvest the gorgeous flowers, too, for a gourmet treat!


Plant type: Edible

Height: 45 cm (18 in.) without the need for staking

Maturity: 40 to 45 days

Exposure: Full sun

Maintenance: Keep soil evenly moist.