Guest Author - Connie Krochmal
The New Year is barely here, but nurseries and garden centers are already planning ahead for the 2005 garden season. For 2005, a number of new cacti and succulent species are being introduced. In addition, a number of new plants that are suitable as companion plants for cacti and succulents will also be available.
Outdoor gardening has never been so good for cacti and succulents. Finally, nurseries are realizing that these plants can be used for outdoor gardens and for outdoor container gardens during the summer months.
Some European garden centers will be offering varieties of kalanchoes that are suitable for outdoor culture. These are available from May to mid-June. The Wizard series includes four new colors. Among these are Atalantos kalanchoe, which is an orange/bright pink. There is also Katharos kalanchoe, a pure white.
Gardeners should also see Veranda kalanchoes, which are suitable for outdoor use. Unlike some indoor kalanchoes, these should bloom continuously throughout the summer and fall months until frost comes. The Veranda series plants are vigorous. They’re available in various colors, including Veranda Pink and Veranda Red.
For 2005, Seymour’s Selected Seeds has introduced ‘Spirit’ Sedum. Suitable for hardiness zones 3-9, this versatile perennial blooms throughout the summer and fall. For months, it is literally covered with precious, star-shaped yellow blooms. Like all sedums, ‘Spirit’ is tolerant of drought and heat. It has attractive, glossy green foliage. Only four inches in height, Spirit is suitable for rock gardens. Seymour’s specializes in seeds for cottage gardens.
Look in local nurseries and garden centers for the new ‘Midi Twilight’ kalanchoe. This features extra large flowers. Initially yellow, they become cream and finally light pink. All colors can be present at the same time on a plant.
Calandiva kalanchoes aren’t new, but they are now available in additional colors—ten in all. These remain in bloom for six weeks or longer. Among the colors are various shades of red, pink, pink-purple, and purple as well as white and bicolors.
As companion plants for cacti and succulents, you can’t go wrong with the Xeriscape Extreme seed mix from Botanical Interests. These seed packets should be available in local garden centers and nurseries. The mix contains seeds of twenty-one different kinds of drought resistant species and varieties. Among these is everything from California poppies to bachelor’s buttons. Suitable for full sun, these plants include annuals and perennials as well as biennials.
For 2005, Thompson & Morgan is introducing a Mediterranean seed mix. These annuals range in size from one to three feet tall. Suitable for dry conditions in full sun, these will attract butterflies, and other wildlife to your garden.
By the way, Thompson & Morgan is giving a bonus pack of Portulaca ‘Sundial Mango’ with every order. This exquisite plant is suitable as an annual ground cover, and for container culture. Its gorgeous fully double petals are a soft orange-cream. In addition, they are offering 100% more seed in every pack of Portulaca ‘Sundial Peppermint.’ About six to eight inches in height, this plant blooms earlier than other portulacas. The blossoms remain open longer during the day as well.
