02/99-03 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Christine Kelleher, 800-232-9557, Ext. 512 or Gary Doerr, 916-716-1889

Gardeners can add these hardy Blooms of Bressingham perennials from England to their gardens without having to ask, "Will they grow here?" They originally came from "here" and can be counted on to do well in most North American growing zones.

These are native North American perennials that were improved through selection and introduced overseas by Alan and Adrian Bloom and are now being reintroduced to North American gardeners by Blooms of Bressingham.

"They are truly the Cinderellas of the plant world. From humble beginnings as native American wildflowers with names like Bearded Tongue and Fleabane, they are now returning with formal cultivar names as Penstemon ‘Purple Passion’ and Erigeron ‘Prosperity,’" says Gary Doerr, president of Blooms of Bressingham North America.

Other native American perennials returned from Great Britain by Blooms of Bressingham are Gaillardia ‘Mandarin’ (Blanket Flower), Heuchera ‘Bressingham Bronze’ (Coral Bells), Helenium ‘Coppelia’ (Helen’s Flower), Leucanthemum ‘Snowcap’ (Shasta Daisy) and Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ (Garden Phlox).

A dwarf hybrid, erect in stature and prolific in flowering, Erigeron ‘Prosperity’ is an ideal choice for planting in the front of borders, island beds and rock gardens. Light lavender-blue flowers are nearly double in form with yellow centers in summer.

Gaillardia ‘Mandarin’ offers flamboyant deep, flame-orange color as an excellent backdrop for the butterflies it attracts. Leaves are gray-green on bushy clumps; flowering is continuous throughout the growing season.

Growing to 3 feet or more, Helenium ‘Coppelia’s’ strong, sturdy stems usually forgo the need for staking, something unique to this variety. Because of the height, ‘Coppelia’ is ideal for the middle of island beds or the back of borders. Warm coppery-orange flowers provide late season color from the end of summer into early fall.

A strong, robust plant unsurpassed in beauty and form, Heuchera ‘Bressingham Bronze’ is mostly used for its large, crinkled, purple-bronze foliage in front borders or as a specimen plant. It offers the deepest purple, most stable colored leaf variety of this type. As an added bonus, fine, off-white flowers appear from late spring to midsummer.

A plant that seems to thrive no matter where it is planted so long as there is plenty of sun, Leucanthemum ‘Snowcap’ is famous for its formation of many intensely white, long lasting flowers from early to late summer. ‘Snowcap’ makes an excellent cut flower and is ideal either for planting one or two at a time or in mass plantings.

Penstemons are considered by many to be among the loveliest of perennials. With its rich purple, white-throated flowers and lush foliage, Penstemon ‘Purple Passion’ is no exception. This variety fits nicely in the middle or back of border plantings as well as in patio containers.

Named for the former head of the Blooms retail department in England, Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ has been a top seller in its class. Wide bright pink flower heads with darker pink eyes appear from midsummer to early fall. Abundant foliage on stiff, erect stems makes this variety superb as a cut flower or for back of border plantings. It is fragrant and attracts butterflies.