Continuing with this year’s lineup loaded with show-stopping annuals and tender perennials that shine in planters, borders, and anywhere you need a pop of color. Tender perennials often get treated like annuals, but if you live where they’re hardy, you get to enjoy them more than one season.
Main Stage™ Burgundy Sky (Petunia hybrid)
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Large burgundy blooms with a scattering of yellow speckles (hot temperatures result in more solid-colored flowers)
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 12 to 16 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11
Introducer: Selecta One
Source: Local garden centers
Linen zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
The warm flaxen tones of this new zinnia have just a hint of pale pink to peach on 4- to 5-inch blooms. This color is easy to work into the garden or in a summer bouquet. As the blooms age, the pink and peach hues intensify. Seeds are easy to start indoors or direct-sow outdoors in spring when all danger of frost has passed.
Type: Annual
Best features: A fascinating new flower color for zinnias; deer-resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 30 to 40 in. tall, 9 to 12 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones
Introducer & Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds,
PeekABoo Burgundy verbena (Verbena hybrid)
We loved this new color in the PeekABoo series! Large, 3-inch-deep burgundy blooms with a white center keep containers colorful. There are five other colors in the series to try: Red, Pink, Lilac, Lavender and Indigo.
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Large 3-in. burgundy blooms; deer-resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 12 to 15 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 7 to 10
Introducer: Westoff
Source: Local garden centers
Firedup™ Coral dipladenia (Dipladenia hybrid)
Part of the Sun Parasol® series, Firedup Coral has a pinwheel flower shape instead of overlapping petals like other dipladenias. Its upright habit fits easily in containers, and the coral-colored flowers with yellow centers provide reliable interest from late spring until frost.
Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Pinwheel-shaped coral flowers all season
Light: Full sun
Size: 20 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 16 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11
Introducer: Suntory Flowers
Source: Garden Crossings,
Source: gardengatemagazine.com©
