Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of visiting Ball Horticultural’s West Chicago headquarters for Darwin Perennials Day. There were plenty of Ball Horticultural and Darwin Perennials staff members on hand to answer questions about the trials and show off the plants.
One of the new varieties on display was Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘CrazyBlue.’ Its differentiating factor from other perovskia is its unique mounding habit.
“Its intertwining flower pedestals create a unique look for a perovskia,” said Karl Batschke, global product manager, perennials, for Darwin Perennials.
Besides being a visual treat, the interlacing branches also serve a practical purpose: less breakage during shipping. CrazyBlue reaches 16 to 18 inches in height, blooms from July to August (although as you can see, it was blooming in mid-June at this event) and is hardy from zones 4 to 9.
Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘CrazyBlue.’
The National Garden Bureau named 2014 the Year of the Echinacea, and there were many fine coneflowers on display. ‘Cheyenne Spirit,’ a 2013 All-America Selections winner that tolerates heat and drought and blooms from June to July, was looking particularly sharp. This native cultivar from Kieft Seeds is known for its bright orange and yellow color mix. ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ reaches heights of 18 to 24 inches its first year, and 22 to 30 inches the next. It is hardy from zones 4 through 10. The fact that it is a first-year-flowering plant is the icing on the cake for many growers.
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Cheyenne Spirit
There were many varieties of salvia planted in the trial gardens. One thing that was apparent from their performance in the trial beds: Darwin Perennials' Lyrical Blues salvia’s color lasts longer in the landscape than other salvia planted at the same time. Lyrical Blues was still showing color in mid-June for Perennial Day.
The Lyrical series added a white this year that features big flower spikes with clean white blooms. They reach 22 to 24 inches high and are hardy in zones 4 through 9.
Lyrical White
Lavandula angustifolia SuperBlue was another trial garden stunner. This Darwin Perennials introduction was thriving in Ball’s trial beds in spite of the exceptionally hot and dry conditions. The lavender blooms June-September and reaches 12 inches in height.
Lavandula angustifolia SuperBlue
For more from Darwin Perennials Day, including a photo slideshow, click here.