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The Best of 2023: Exciting New Plant Introductions

I usually wait until January to announce next year’s new plant introductions, but I am so enthused about these upcoming shrubs and perennials that I couldn’t wait. While the hydrangea trend continues to dominate with enticing new hybrids, I noticed that Weigela are well represented in 2023 with unique variegation, flower colours, and plant forms. Daphne is making a comeback. And we finally have more roses to choose from thanks to a new supplier to the Canadian market.
Edibles and unique perennials are also coming your way…so without further ado, here are 23 new plant introductions to look forward to in 2023.

Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’

Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’

📷: 'RHS Garden Wisley'

Alstroemerias have been a difficult find as of late, with only compact container varieties being readily available. This taller form with large flowers of streaked coppery orange and yellow sharply contrasted by burgundy-black foliage will be a stand-out in any garden, and the bloom time is May to frost. Grows 28-36” tall. USDA Zone 6.

Comptonia peregrina

Comptonia peregrina

📷: Fungus Guy, Wikipedia

It may not look like much, but this deciduous shrub native to eastern North America and commonly known as Sweetfern is a real edible dynamo. Cooks and herbalists alike are going to want one in the garden as the dried leaves can be used for healing teas and spices. The nutlets are quite tasty, and when thrown in a fire, the foliage acts as an insect repellent. Grows 2-4’ tall. USDA Zone 2.

Daphne odora ‘Perfume Princess’

Daphne odora ‘Perfume Princess’
📷: Anthony Tesselaar Plants

An early and long-blooming (mid-winter to late spring) cultivar with purplish buds opening to large clusters of soft pink flowers. Expect the traditional intoxicating daphne fragrance but with distinct citrus undertones. Grows 3’ tall and wide. USDA Zone 7.

Daphne odora ‘Sweet Amethyst'

Daphne odora ‘Sweet Amethyst'

📷: Sapho Des Plantes De Bonne Nature

Jasmine-scented lilac-purple blooms borne on glossy evergreen foliage make this a ‘must-have’ for any garden. I liked this variety so much that I decided to bring it in early to meet the expected demand. Grows 3’ x 3’. USDA Zone 7.

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Ruby Gold’

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Ruby Gold’

📷: Terra Nova Nurseries

This is the first bleeding heart with red flowers (May to July) borne on gold foliage, kind of like combining the blooms of ‘Valentine’ with the leaves of ‘Gold Heart’. The strong stems bear rich golden leaflets that eventually develop orange undertones. Grows 30-36” tall. USDA Zone 4.

Digitalis x valinii ‘Firebird’

Digitalis x valinii ‘Firebird’

📷: MK Lascelle

Introduced at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019, this unique foxglove hybrid features glossy tapered foliage and tall spires of rose-pink flowers with pale apricot throats and pointed petals. It is also much-favoured by foraging bees. Grows 24-30” tall. USDA Zone 7.

Euphorbia x ‘Miner’s Merlot’

Euphorbia x ‘Miner’s Merlot’

📷: Quality Cuttings Team

Intense purplish-black foliage remains throughout the summer on this compact evergreen perennial. The show gets even better when the chartreuse flower bracts show up from late spring into early summer. Grows 18-24” tall. USDA Zone 6.

Ficus carica ‘Fignomenal'

Ficus carica ‘Fignomenal'

📷: Concept Plants

The perfect edible fig for container culture or small urban yards, ‘Fignomenal’ bears medium-sized brown fruits with sweet reddish-pink flesh. It is said to be an improvement on ‘Petite Negra’. Grows 28-36” tall. USDA Zone 7.

Gardenia ‘Steady As She Goes’

Gardenia ‘Steady As She Goes’

📷: Proven Winners

This is the best Hardy Gardenia I have ever encountered, as the large double white blooms fade to an antique ivory and continue right up to frost. The few that I brought in this fall sold as soon as the perspective customer stopped to take in the enticing fragrance. Grows 3-5’ tall. USDA Zone 7.

Helleborus ‘Ice N’ Roses Rosado’

Helleborus ‘Ice N’ Roses Rosado’

📷: Heuger Gartenbaube Triebe

The outward-facing blooms of this Hellebore are a unique white with purplish-pink edges borne from January to March. The glossy evergreen foliage is equally attractive and held on contrasting red stems. Grows 16-24” tall. USDA Zone 5.

Hibiscus x ‘Pollypetite’

Hibiscus x ‘Pollypetite’

📷: Heuger Gartenbaube Triebe

Imagine a hardy hibiscus that only grows 3-4’ tall and wide without pruning. The hybrid ‘Pollypetite’ does just that and also brings an abundance of lavender-pink flowers from summer through to fall. USDA Zone 5.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry-Go-Round’

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry-Go-Round’

📷: Bloomin' Easy Plants

If you enjoy intense flower colour from your hydrangeas, then ‘Cherry-Go-Round’ is for you. Expect rich cherry-red blooms from late spring through to fall on a compact shrub with glossy foliage. Grows 2-3’tall and wide. USDA Zone5.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Puffer Fish’

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Puffer Fish’

📷: Proven Winners

This PG Hydrangea is as floriferous as ‘Bobo’ but with much larger ‘puffed’ blooms. The pure white flowers literally last for months and fade to classic lime green. Grows 3-5’ tall and wide. USDA Zone 3.

Hydrangea serrata ‘Pink Dynamo’

Hydrangea serrata ‘Pink Dynamo’

📷: Bloomin' Easy Plants

Hot pink lacecap blooms are silhouetted by glossy black foliage from late spring through summer. Its reblooming habit and compact form also make it ideal for smaller urban landscapes. Grows 2-3’ tall and wide. USDA Zone 5.

Pieris japonica ‘Glowing Hearts’

Pieris japonica ‘Glowing Hearts’

📷: Sidhu & Sons Nursery Ltd.

A local introduction with absolutely eye-popping glossy scarlet new growth that eventually gives way to chartreuse highlights. Add to that graceful racemes of pink bell-shaped blooms in early spring and you have a real winner! Grows 5’ tall and wide. USDA Zone 6.

Rosa ‘Pinkerbelle’

Rosa ‘Pinkerbelle’

📷: Star Roses and Plants

Here’s a hybrid tea rose that has it all, enticing fragrance (citrus with spicy verbena) and great disease resistance. Then there are the fully formed double cream blooms with a delicate lavender-pink picotee that would inspire any cut flower enthusiast. Grows 5.5’ tall by 3’ wide. USDA Zone 6.

Rosa ‘Tangerine Skies Arborose’

Rosa ‘Tangerine Skies Arborose’

📷: Star Roses and Plants

This Kordes climbing rose produces fully double 4” wide mango-orange blooms over glossy green foliage all summer long. Once you get a little closer the intense fragrance will also impress you. Grows 8’ tall. USDA Zone 5.

Rosa ‘Veranda Lavender’

Rosa ‘Veranda Lavender’

📷: Star Roses and Plants

The clear lavender-purple blooms of this compact rose from the Kordes Veranda Collection can vary in form from fully double to cupped. Although the fragrance is minimal, the disease resistance more than makes up for it. Grows 3’ tall. USDA Zone 5.

Syringa vulgaris ‘Fiala Remembrance’

Syringa vulgaris ‘Fiala Remembrance’

📷: Meridian Young Plants

With Alba gardens making a comeback, this pure white double-flowered French lilac should fit right in. The blooms emerge from creamy-yellow buds, forming an intensely fragrant panicle that is 6-12” long. Grows 10’ tall. USDA Zone 2.

Weigela florida ‘Vinho Verde’

Weigela florida ‘Vinho Verde’

📷: Spring Meadow Nursery Inc.

A Proven Winner introduction with dazzling lime green leaves and sharply contrasting black margins. The reddish-pink flowers are borne in late spring but this variety is primarily grown as a foliage plant. Grows 36-60” tall and wide. USDA Zone 5.

Weigela ‘Peach Kisses’

Weigela ‘Peach Kisses’

📷: Bloomin' Easy Plants

Not only does this reblooming Weigela flower from late spring through to fall, but it does so with unusual peachy-pink flowers. Its compact size and cold hardiness also make it an excellent container specimen. Grows 3’ tall and wide. USDA Zone 4.

Weigela ‘Prism Magic Carpet’

Weigela ‘Prism Magic Carpet’

📷: Plant Haven International

This extreme dwarf Weigela combines bell-shaped pink blossoms from May to June with eye-catching foliage. The leaves emerge chartreuse and mature to a sunset orange as the summer passes. Grows 24” tall. USDA Zone 4.

Weigela ‘Towers of Flowers Cherry’

Weigela ‘Towers of Flowers Cherry’

📷: Plant Haven International

A unique columnar-form Weigela that bears large cherry-red flowers along the whole stem, literally creating a tower of flowers. Use in door-side planters or those thin foundation beds where space is limited. Grows 3-4’ tall. USDA Zone 6.

The roses will be offered for presale online, once our orders have been confirmed and you can still expect a few surprises in the 2023 new introductions department, including the aptly named Wisteria ‘Golden Dragon’, so keep your eyes peeled!

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