2020’S BEST New Plants
There are lots of head-turning flowers and foliage in this year's new plants to kick-start your imagination. Think of all the ways you could use them in the garden. Wouldn’t the bicolor ‘New Mexico’ amaranth at right be stunning at the back of the border? Super flowery Fiona wax begonias or the gold foliage of Lumen Gold fountain grass could keep containers the focal point of your patio from spring to frost. And ‘Splash of Wine’ caladium would add a tropical feel to your patio. Its leathery leaf texture keeps the foliage from becoming tattered on hot windy days. And what shady retreat would be complete without a fern? ‘Crested Surf’ Japanese painted fern has a new twist—check it out on page 26.
TOP TREND Plants to fit small spaces is a trend that continues to be popular, and there are plenty of examples of that here: ‘Baby Spaghetti’, a personal-sized winter squash; columnar Persian Spire Persian ironwood, and compact, reblooming Plum Lemonade shrub rose.
You’ll find a lot of these new plants at local garden centers. Where possible, I’ve also supplied a mail-order source. If you can’t find your favorite, be patient. It will most likely show up in larger numbers next year. In the meantime, let’s meet some of 2020’s best new plants!
1 Wicked Witch ™ coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
The gorgeous scalloped leaf edge of Wicked Witch coleus adds great texture to garden beds in sun or shade. By late September our test garden plants hadn’t bloomed, which kept the focus on the still-going-strong foliage.
Scalloped burgundy foliage with a chartreuse edge and few, if any, flowers Full sun to part shade Well-drained 24 to 34 in. tall, 12 to 16 in.USDA zones 10 to 11 Proven Winners Garden Crossings, , 616-875-6355
