New Garden Plants and Seeds for 2009

Thousands of new plants are introduced every year. Some take years to start showing up in local nurseries and others disappear before we have a chance to think about planting them. The plants showcased here should be in wide distribution in 2009. Some have been on the market a year or so and have proven themselves there. The others have been widely tested before being considered for distribution this year. Even so, plants don't always behave the way they're labeled, once you invite them into your garden. Experiment and see which new plants will become new favorites.

Sure, we all have our favorites, but who’s not tempted by the promises made about new seeds in the catalogs? Some of the plants featured here are new offerings and some are simply becoming more widely available and worthy of mention. I've also focused attention on smaller plants that are suitable for either a small space garden or containers.

This bouquet of a dozen dazzling ornamentals is an assortment of new introductions and a few that have been around awhile but are just becoming widely available or are only now available as seed. So now there’s no excuse not to fill your yard with the latest blooms.

Each year hundreds of new flower and vegetable plants are trialed and judged by independent, unpaid judges of All America Selections (AAS®). To find new seed grown plants with superior growth habits, adaptability, color, scent, taste and overall performance. Here are the best of the best for the 2009 season.

The All-America Rose Selections (AARS), a non-profit association of rose growers and introducers, works to test, introduce and promote exceptional roses. Only 3 roses were designated this year, but all 3 are stunners and include the first landscape shrub rose to be an AARS winner and a rose selected to represent The National Breast Cancer Foundation.

International Herb Association (IHA) has designated the Bay as the 2009 Herb of the Year. Bay looks more intimidating than it is. Except for keeping bay’s shallow roots well watered, it’s very easy to grow. In a container, it remains a manageable size, especially if you keep pruning leaves for cooking. They make excellent patio trees, herb garden focal points and sun room additions.

Yes, gorgeous Hakonechloa has been named the 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year. Most gardeners are way ahead of the game in appreciated this golden variegated grass, but I think a lot of us shy away from it because it can be so expensive to purchase. Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' grows painfully slowly, so you’ll never see it at a plant swap or on the bargain table. It’s a treasure. The point behind the Perennial Plant of the Year is to remind gardeners of some of the great plants under their noses that deserve to be in their gardens. I think most all the Hakonechloa macra grasses fit that bill and Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' is no exception.

The National Garden Bureau has declared this the year of Nicotiana or Flowering Tobacco. Tall Nicotiana sylvestris, with it’s dangling trumpet shaped white flowers can perfume the evening air and summon all the hummingbirds in the neighborhood. Many of the new introductions have sacrificed scent for color and profuse bloom, but AAS winner 'Deep Purple Perfume', shown here, has everything going for it.

The National Garden Bureau has also declared this the year of greens, that includes everything from lettuce to mustard to sprouts, like microgreens. What are microgreens? Well, microgreens are the tiny new shoots of various greens, herbs, edible flowers and leafy vegetables. Microgreens can be used fresh, in salads and on sandwiches or use them as herbs, to finish off and season pretty much any dish. They’re trendy right now, but that doesn’t detract from their being delicious, nutritious and really quick and easy to grow.