2/01-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Christine Kelleher, 800-321-9573, Ext. 512, or Gary Doerr, 916-716-1889 Ms. Cohen is Adjunct Professor at Temple University, Dept. of Landscape Architecture & Horticulture, Ambler Campus, 20 years; Mid-Atlantic representative of the Perennial Plant Association; and her articles have been featured in leading consumer and gardening publications. She received the Garden Communicator Award of the Year in 2000 from the American Nursery Landscape Association. Feel free to use this release in its entirety or in part, with or without the author’s byline.

Being vertically challenged (that is politically correct for just plain short), I tend to be more at eye level with many of the plants I like and admire. The important thing is that short plants generally are front-of-the-border plants and are very prominent in the garden. This requires their foliage to look good from spring to fall, as bad looking foliage can ruin a garden’s appearance. Gardeners are also looking for low maintenance, good seasonality and few pest or disease problems. Now that we have set the parameters for good, short, front-of-the-border plants, we can pick out some “new” and exciting selections for the spring of 2001. These are new introductions from Blooms of Bressingham North America.

A very special plant is Centaurea montana ‘Gold Bullion’, a Bachelor’s Button (USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8, AHS Heat Zones 9 to 1) with unbelievable gold to chartreuse leaves that are absolutely startlingly unique. This 15-inch plant supplies vibrant color even when not in flower. The striking foliage contrasts nicely against plants with darker foliage like Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Anemone and Ornamental Grasses. When in bloom, the larger than species flower is a wonderful deep blue, which is a great contrast to the foliage. Plant in partial sun to full sun. The color echoing possibilities with yellow-edged Hostas will certainly brighten any shady area. The June through July flowering can make it an exciting combination with Veronica spicata ‘Icicle’, with its large spike of white flowers and long bloom season.

Another outstanding newcomer that elicited “ohs” and “ahs” from the gardening audience when recently unveiled is Coreopsis rosea ‘Sweet Dreams’, a Variegated Tickseed. ‘Sweet Dreams’ is a really hardy perennial (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, AHS Heat Zones 12 to 1). We all love daisies in our garden, but this little beauty is only 18 inches tall. Picture petals that are white with dark raspberry that absolutely surrounds the base of the petals. Give full sun and average soil and this plant just grows. Easy as that! Even better, it has finely textured, dark green foliage, which serves as an excellent backdrop to its coloration. As the summer progresses, the raspberry on the petals encroaches on the white to show off a kaleidoscope of color. ‘Sweet Dreams’ is a perfect partner to Leucanthemum xsuperbum ‘Snowcap’, a beautiful 14-inch white Shasta Daisy or Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’ (Perennial Plant of the Year in 2000), a constant bloomer from June to September. The cultivar name for this Coreopsis is ‘Sweet Dreams’, but it will definitely wake up the front of the border with its great flower power.

Helianthus ‘Low Down’ (Willow-Leaf Sunflower) is a full-sun plant coming to us via New Zealand. This 12-inch plant, although short in stature, will enliven your fall garden. The foliage is indescribable because the large daisy flowers completely cover the plant. Put this at the front of the border and even though it’s low down, it will light up the front of your border. It is a perfect foil for Aster amellus ‘Violet Queen’, and late flowering Garden Mums, such as ‘Melissa’, ‘Spicy Cheryl’ or ‘Taffy’. Fall will never be boring in any garden with these outstanding combinations.

Last, but not least, is Campanula poscharskyana ‘Blue Waterfall’, the Serbian Bellflower. This is one of my favorites. At 8- to 10-inches tall, this can be used as a wonderful, low-growing groundcover or front of the border winner. The deep blue, bell-shaped flowers with a dainty white center absolutely cover the plant. The name ‘Blue Waterfall’ aptly describes how the flowers flow so freely from the center of the plant. This June bloomer flowers profusely for several weeks and can flower sporadically into the fall. This plant is classically perfect for edging or for clambering over a rock wall. It is one of an unparalleled number of great perennials for today’s gardens.

I’m sure gardeners will receive all of these new Blooms of Bressingham perennial introductions with enthusiasm and delight. They will help create colorful, carefree and imaginative borders. Best of all, being short makes them doubly wonderful.

“The Vertically Challenged Gardener”

Alias Stephanie Cohen

Pictures available