There are so many different plants out there and new varieties are being introduced all of the time. Just because you may not have heard about them does not mean they are not a good choice for your garden or home. We wanted to tell you about some interesting plants that we have been introduced to the last few years. A few are even new plants we just came across this spring that you might want to consider adding to your garden.
Begonia Betulia – This Begonia is popular in Europe and is characterized by continuously flowering from spring through frost. They do not need to be deadheaded. It can be grown indoors and outdoors. The flowers are smaller than traditional begonias and are available in pinks (light pink, pink, and bright pink) and red. The plant is easy to care for and can be used in a container on your patio or as a houseplant in a brightly lit location. In warmer locations, they can be planted in shade garden locations with morning sun. The plant is drought tolerant and does not like to be in wet soil. To keep the flowers blooming use a balanced fertilizer every 7 – 14 days.
Cuphea – This plant is native to Mexico and annual in most parts of the country. The flower looks great in containers but also can be used in flower beds. The flowers come in many varieties and shapes. Some of them have been said to look like little burning cigars. Some of the flowers have petals that look like ears. They come in bright colors including orange, neon pink, purple, red, white, yellow, and color combinations. Hummingbirds are attracted to these nectar-rich flowers. Cuphea are very easy to grow. It loves hot, sunny conditions and performs best in well-drained soil. These plants can also be moved indoors in the fall and put in a sunny window and grow as a houseplant.
Euphorbia Glitz – With this annual plant you get clusters of tiny white flowers at the end of green stems. The plant flowers from mid-spring to mid-fall. The plant is relatively low maintenance and does not require much pruning, expect to remove dieback. Euphorbia Glitz grows about 12 inches and spreads about 18 inches. It can be used for mass plantings and border edging. It makes a great “filler” in your mixed containers and hanging baskets. The plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average, well-drained soil. The plant is heat, drought, and shade tolerant.
Helichrysum – Silver Stitch – This plant is a Dwarf Curry Helichrysum and is also called Curry plant. The plant is drought and heat tolerant. It has soft silver foliage with an interesting shape. The foliage is also fragrant. It makes a great accent plant, especially in mixed containers. The plant is low maintenance and makes a good border or can be used in a rock garden. This plant does best in full sunlight and in well-drained soil and should be sheltered from wind or wetness. It is a natural repellent to deer and other pests.
Koeleria – Koeleria are plants found in the grass family (there are hundreds of different species) and are on all continents except Antarctica. The plant is named for German botanist Georg Ludwig Koeler. These ornamental grasses are easy to grow in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. This plant will also thrive in rocky or gritty soil. Koeleria is drought tolerant. Wet and heavy soils and the shade should be avoided.
Let us know if you have any plants we might not know about!
Photo Courtesy of Jill Mazur
