Introductions

Hydrangea quercifolia
‘Ruby Slippers’ and ‘Munchkin’ are the latest cultivars released by ARS geneticist Sandy Reed with the U.S. National Arboretum’s Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit’s worksite in McMinnville, Tenn. The arboretum is operated by ARS, the principal intramural scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The new cultivars grow 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide after nine years of growth, with flower heads held upright above their leaves, making them particularly suited for use in small residential landscapes. Flowers on ‘Ruby Slippers’ open white but quickly turn pale pink and deepen into rose, while those on ‘Munchkin’ open white and gradually turn medium pink. Both plants flower in early summer.

They grow best in full sun or light shade and are hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8. They can be used in shrub borders or mass-planted in large areas.
 
For more: Sandy Reed, Sandra.Reed@ars.usda.gov; www.usna.usda.gov

Aloe hybrid ‘Sunset’
‘Sunset’ is from renowned breeder Kelly Griffin and available from tissue culture from Rancho Tissue Technologies. It boasts bright red leaf margins that offset deep-green foliage. Works well in outdoor containers. Plants grow to about 1 foot tall and are hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Growers should produce them in high light levels. Water requirements are dry to moderate. Plant one liner per pot for a spring through summer finish. 
 
For more: www.ranchotissue.com

Fairy Magnolia Blush
Blush is a good choice for hedging, screening, espaliering, topiary and massed plantings. Blush is a Michelia hybrid bred in New Zealand, with lightly fragrant flowers blushed lilac pink and evergreen dark green foliage. It features a compact and bushy growth habit. Blush flowers from March to May and is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7b – 11.
 
For more: www.tesselaar.com