02/00-05 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Christine Kelleher, 800-232-9557, Ext. 512 or Gary Doerr, 916-716-1889

Led by Heliopsis 'Loraine Sunshine', Phlox paniculata 'Shortwood', Heuchera 'Harmonic Convergence', Heucherella 'Quicksilver' and eight Lovely Lady ™Daylily selections, North American discoveries dominate Blooms of Bressingham North America's introductions for the Year 2000.

'Loraine Sunshine' was found by Brent Hanson of Rinelander Floral Co., Rinelander, Wis., and named in memory of Loraine Marks, a valued employee. 'Shortwood' was discovered by Sinclair Adam of Dunvegan Nursery, West Chester, Pa., and named for Stephanie Cohen's garden. Heuchera 'Harmonic Convergence' and Heucherella 'Quicksilver' were developed by Charles Oliver, Scottdale, Pa. The Lovely Lady™ Daylilies were developed by Nature's Renaissance, Grain Valley, Mo.

"Our new introductions for 2000 illustrate our commitment to search our own backyard as well as the rest of the world to provide North American gardeners with the finest perennials obtainable. We currently have well over 150 varieties under trial for possible introduction from Blooms in the U.K. and from sports finders and breeders in the United States, Canada and New Zealand," says Gary Doerr, president of Blooms of Bressingham North America.

"Regardless of our plants' origins, Blooms of Bressingham North America assumes responsibility for the testing and certification of all new introductions in order to declare them virus and disease free. Although this type of certification is a standard procedure with other crops, it has not necessarily been the case with perennials."

2000 Blooms of Bressingham Introductions
Those marked as limited in quantity are only available at
Blooms Key Stockist retailers as part of our trial program.

Dicentra 'Adrian Bloom' "Fringed Bleeding Heart"

BENEFITS: Long bloom period and slightly more sun-tolerant than similar Dicentra eximia types. Striking flower and foliage color contrast.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Copious sprays of rich crimson-rose flowers in late spring through summer above mounds of gray-green foliage.
LOCATION: Partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 10 to 1.
USE: Plant in front of borders or island beds. Excellent specimen plant for rock and woodland gardens.
SIZE: 10"-12" tall by 8" wide. Use 4 plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Grows best in moist but well-drained soils. Remove spent flowers to prolong bloom season. Separate offsets from crown in spring every 2 to 3 years.

Eryngium 'Sapphire Blue' (P.P.#11088) "Sea Holly"
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers

BENEFITS: Striking architectural accent for the garden. Has extended blue coloration onto the leaves and stems, allowing an extended season of interest and bolder garden accent. Flowers are larger and more colorful than other varieties.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Intense steely blue flower heads, leaves and stems form in summer. Tall, erect plants with branched stems.
LOCATION: Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9; AHS Heat Zones 12 to 1.
USE: Good accent plant. Plant in groups of three to five plants in borders or beds. Good cut flower, fresh or dried.
SIZE: 28 inches tall by 18 inches wide. Use four plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Prefers sandy loam soil, low in fertility. Generally doesn't spread. Forms a taproot so division must be done carefully.

Geranium 'Apple Blossom' "Grayleaf Crane's Bill"

BENEFITS: Quite unlike any other alpine-type variety. Dainty soft pink flowers and silvery foliage.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Soft pale pink flowers with prominent dark pink veins form in early to late summer atop small compact plants.
LOCATION: Sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 12 to 2.
USE: Place in front of beds or borders. Great for rock gardens.
SIZE: 4" tall by 10" wide. Use 5 plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Prefers average well-drained soils. Moist organic soils will promote spread. Tolerates summer heat better when given ample moisture and partial shade. Plants can be sheared to 3" to rejuvenate. Rarely needs division.

Geranium 'Rozanne' (Patent Pending) "Hybrid Crane's Bill"
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers

BENEFITS: Larger flowers and deeper blue color than similar varieties plus better heat tolerance to allow extended flowering throughout the summer. Foliage becomes reddish brown in the fall for added interest.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Large 2½" saucer-shaped, violet-blue flowers with white centers from early summer until frost above mounds of slightly-marbled, deep green foliage.
LOCATION: Sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 12 to 2.
USE: Place in front of beds or borders. Good groundcover. Nice habit for patio planters, window boxes or hanging baskets.
SIZE: 20" tall by 24" wide. Use 3 plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Prefers average well-drained soils. Moist organic soils will promote spread. Tolerates summer heat better when given ample moisture and partial shade. Plants can be sheared to 3" to rejuvenate. Rarely needs division.

Heliopsis 'Bressingham Doubloon' (Pat. Pend.) "Sunflower Heliopsis"
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers

BENEFITS: Showy, large flowers on strong, sturdy stems that do not require staking. Outstanding semi-double flowers.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Semi-double, true golden flowers from midsummer to fall. Erect loosely branched plants.
LOCATION: Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9; AHS Heat Zones 9 to 1.
USE: Middle of island beds or in the back of borders. Strong, sturdy stems are excellent for cutting.
SIZE: 48- to 60-inches tall by 18 inches wide. Use three plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Plant in average soil. Do not allow to dry out. Divide in spring or fall as desired.

Heliopsis 'Loraine Sunshine' (P.P. #10690) "Sunflower Heliopsis"
Developed by Brent Hanson of Rhinelander Floral Co., Rhinelander, Wis.

BENEFITS: One-of-a-kind variegated leaf form of this perennial. White leaves with green veins.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Large golden-yellow daisy flowers from July till frost on erect, loosely branched plants.
LOCATION: Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9; AHS Heat Zones 9 to 1.
USE: Middle of island beds or in the back of borders. Strong, sturdy stems are excellent for cutting.
SIZE: 30 inches tall by 16 inches wide. Use four plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Plant in average soil. Do not allow to dry out. Divide in fall or spring when desired.

Lovely Lady™ Daylilies
Developed by Nature's Renaissance, Grain Valley, Mo.

The Daylily is one of the toughest, easy-care, perennials around with an ever-expanding list of hybrid varieties. Blooms Lovely Lady Daylilies have more flowers per flower stem than older varieties and often have repeat blooming later in the season for a seemingly endless display of flowers. All are top performers in the All-America Daylily Selection Council's testing program, the strictest in the industry.

PLANTING:
LOCATION: Full sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10; AHS Heat Zones 12 to 1.
SPACING: Plant 12 to 18 inches apart or five to seven plants per square yard.
DEPTH: Cover top of root ball with ½ to 1 inch of soil.
CULTURE: Plant in spring (or also fall in Zones 8 to 10) for best results. Will perform well in most garden soils but does best in well-drained, slightly acid soils. Fertilize in early spring and fall with 5-10-5, 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer at ½ labeled rate. Drought tolerant once established. In Zones 4 to 7 mulch for winter protection. Divide every three to four years.

Hemerocallis 'Lady Emily' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
The ruffled, round, clear lavender blooms are accented by darker veins and near-white midribs. The 5¼-inch flowers form midseason above lush foliage which is evergreen until hard frost. Blooms at 17- to 20-inches tall. Plants are 12- to 16-inches tall and 15- to 21-inches wide. Excellent for mass plantings, borders, or anywhere for accent.

Hemerocallis 'Lady Florence' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers
Fluffy 5" rich golden blooms that are slightly ruffled and creped. The blooms appear in early to mid season at 24"-28" tall above especially good, dark green, mounding dormant foliage. Plants mature at 15"-18" in height and 21"-24" in width. Repeat blooms in some zones.

Hemerocallis 'Lady Jackie' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers
Mulberry to buff mauve blooms, with their striking plum eye zones, provide a dramatic accent, drawing attention wherever planted. The 5" blooms have lightly creped edges and appear in early to midseason on 23"-26" scapes. The dark green foliage is dormant and matures to 16"-20" in height and 18"-22" in width. Repeat blooms in some zones.

Hemerocallis 'Lady Lucille' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
Intense orange, 6-inch flowers have yellow-gold midribs and deeper orange-red blush surrounding a gold throat. Blooms have heavy substance and appear above 23- to 28-inch stems in mid- to late season. Plants are 18- to 24-inches tall and 20- to 25-inches wide and have winter dormant foliage.

Excellent for mass plantings, borders, or anywhere for accent. The brilliant color has visual "carrying power" in the landscape and the strong growth habit will make it a garden favorite. Late flowering time extends the bloom season.

Hemerocallis 'Lady Rose' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers
The combination of fairly large, pale pink to warm rose blooms held just above compact foliage, makes this an excellent border or mass effect plant. The white midrib gives a lively look to the pink petals. Flowers stay open into the evening. The 6" blooms appear in midseason on compact 18"-22" scapes and then repeat bloom. Foliage matures to 12"-16" in height and 16"-18" wide.

Excellent for mass plantings, borders or anywhere for accent. Provides a tidy, colorful foreground planting for pink and white rose bushes, or even a white picket fence.

Hemerocallis 'Lady Scarlet' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
Large 6" scarlet-red flowers have wide, round forms, velvety texture, and heavy substance. The blooms appear in early season atop 21"-24" stems and these repeat bloom. The plants are 18"-21" tall and 23"-26" wide, with shiny, dark green foliage is evergreen until hard frost.

Excellent for mass plantings, borders, or anywhere for accent. Offers stunning eye appeal, high bud count for more color, and overall excellent garden performance.

Hemerocallis 'Miss Amelia' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
Pale yellow, 3½-inch fragrant flowers appear early season on 26- to 30-inch stems and repeat bloom in most zones. Plants are 14- to 19-inches tall by 21- to 24-inches wide and have dense, grassy semi-evergreen foliage.

Excellent for mass plantings, borders, or anywhere for accent. The high bud count and repeat blooming offer more color in your garden and the fragrant flowers stay open into the evening for added enjoyment. Plants multiply rapidly to fill the landscape.

Hemerocallis 'Miss Tinkerbell' Lovely Lady™ Daylily
Round, ruffled, 3¾-inch peach-pink blooms with coral eye zones appear in midseason and repeat bloom. Flowers at 17- to 20-inches tall. Plants are 12- to 15-inches tall and 15- to 20-inches wide and have dormant foliage.

Excellent for mass plantings, borders, or anywhere for accent. Offers repeat blooms for more color and plants fill in quickly.

Heuchera 'Harmonic Convergence' (P.P.#11111 ) "Coral Bells"
Developed by Charles Oliver, Scottdale, Pa.
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers

BENEFITS: First-rate flowers and excellent silver and bronze foliage converge to form a pleasing overall proportion and shape.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Long, relatively dense flower cones of showy, fringed pink flowers from late spring to summer. All season interest from silver-marbled bronze foliage.
LOCATION: Full sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 2.
USE: Nice for border edges or specimen plants with foliage accent.
SIZE: 18- to 24-inches tall by 14 inches wide. Use four plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil. Drainage is very important. Plant with crown slightly raised above the soil. Mulch around plants but leave crowns uncovered. Remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. Divide in spring or fall every three years.

Heuchera 'Rosemary Bloom' (P.P.#10441) "Coral Bells"
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers

BENEFITS: Unrivaled displays of flowers all summer long. Great cut flower that also attracts butterflies.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Bright, dainty, coral-pink bells with soft yellow throat in early summer above rich green foliage mounds.
LOCATION: Full sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 2.
USE: Nice for border edges. Excellent cut flower. Flowers attract hummingbirds.
SIZE: 18- to 24-inches tall by 12 inches wide. Use four plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil. Drainage is very important. Plant with crown slightly raised above the soil. Mulch around plants but leave crown uncovered. Remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. Divide in spring or fall every three years.

Heucherella 'Quicksilver' (P.P.#11081) "Foamy Bells"
Developed by Charles Oliver, Scottdale, Pa.
Available in limited quantities from selected retailers

BENEFITS: One-of-a-kind hybrid with good silver overlay leaf marking. Added foliage interest as base foliage color changes from red to green to dark bronze over the season. Extended flowering period.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: White flowers arise from pinkish buds on dark flowering stems with an extended flowering period from spring into July. Pronounced silver overlay to area between veins of bronze foliage on compact clumping plants. In the North, 'Quicksilver' doesn't melt down in high temperature periods as readily as some Heucherellas.
LOCATION: Full sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 2.
USE: Nice for border edges or specimen plants with foliage accent.
SIZE: 18 inches tall by 12 inches wide. Use four plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil. Drainage is very important. Plant with crown slightly raised above the soil. Mulch around plants but leave crowns uncovered. Remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. Divide in spring or fall every three years.

Phlox paniculata 'Shortwood' (P.P.#10379) "Garden Phlox"
Discovered by Sinclair Adam, Dunvegan Nursery, West Chester, Pa.

BENEFITS: Mildew resistant variety of this "backbone" perennial.
BLOOM SEASON & HABIT: Pink flowers with dark pink eye in summer. Clump-forming plants with erect flowering stems.
LOCATION: Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 9 to 4.
USE: Middle of island beds or in the back of borders. Strong, sturdy stems are excellent for cutting.
SIZE: 45 inches tall by 24 inches wide. Use four plants per square yard.
CULTURE: Prefers rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and site with good air movement. Keep well-watered and fertilized. Remove spent flowers to promote rebloom and prevent self-seeding, as seedlings aren't true-to-type. Divide in spring or fall every three to four years.