You’ll dig these new plants for 2015

By Beth Botts

Chicago Tribune (TNS)

What’s that rosy glow in the distance? It’s the dawn of a new gardening year!

The long trudge of winter may seem to go on forever, but the days are getting longer, and it’s time to start dreaming and planning.

Here are some bright new plants you may want to add to your wish list.

It’s too soon to know which retailers will be selling most of these, but search for them online and in catalogs or ask for them at your local garden center.

Sundiascia diascia

Diascia is usually grown as a cool-season annual in the North. This selection from Suntory has been bred to tolerate summer heat longer and to have its bright flowers densely packed on sturdy upright stalks, perfect for a pot. It comes in six hues under the “Upright” moniker, including Upright Bright Pink and Upright Peach. (suntorycollection.com)

Berry Timeless coral bells (Heuchera villosa ‘Berry Timeless’)

It’s their foliage that has made perennial coral bells a shade garden mainstay; their wispy flowers are easy to overlook. But this new selection from Walters Gardens (waltersgardens.com) is a much bigger bloomer, with flowers in pink to rosy red that arrive early and keep coming back all summer. Zones 4-9. (gardencrossings.com.)

The Lady Gardener rose (Rosa ‘The Lady Gardener’)

The abundant, fragrant, fluffy roses are a rich apricot that fades to cream, with a strong scent of vanilla and cedar. From David Austin Roses, this shrub can grow 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide; it will flower heavily in June and repeat bloom all summer. Zones 5-9. (davidaustinroses.com.)

Bounce hybrid impatiens

Do you miss the impatiens blooms that used to brighten your shade garden before downy mildew mowed down these popular annuals? The Bounce line of hybrid impatiens from Ball Horticultural Co. (ballseed.com) has a similar habit and flowers of the older impatiens but resists the disease. The Bounce Pink Flame is an All-America Selections winner. (all-americaselections.org)

Forever Pink hybrid phlox (Phlox ‘Forever Pink’)

Masses of vivid violet-pink flowers bloom in June and return all summer on a compact clump only about 16 inches tall, untroubled by powdery mildew. This perennial hybrid was bred at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Zones 4-8. (chicagolandgrows.com)

Tiny Tortuga turtlehead (Chelone lyonii ‘Armtipp02’)

Turtlehead is a U.S. native perennial that blooms in late summer to early fall and performs well in shade. Tiny Tortuga is a dwarf version, with dark green leaves and deep pink blooms on short 16-inch stalks. Try it in a container. Zones 3-8. (waysidegardens.com.)

Pretty N Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Pretty N Sweet’)

A sparkling array of small, sweet (not hot) peppers covers a compact plant that is both attractive and edible. Just 18 inches high, this new hybrid from Seeds by Design can fit into the ornamental garden or a container. It’s an All-America Selections winner. (all-americaselections.org)

Litt’l Bites Cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Litt’l Bites Cherry’)

Here’s a lovely little tomato for container gardens, small plots, large window boxes or even hanging baskets. A fast-growing, mounding plant available from Renee’s Garden seed company, it produces plenty of cherry-size tomatoes until frost. (reneesgarden.com.)

Ruby Glow romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Ruby Glow’)

The deep burgundy and green color will enliven a salad bowl, and the leaves have that satisfying romaine crunch. The breeder says the red color means this lettuce has an extra dose of the antioxidant anthocyanin. Another bonus: Cool-season lettuce is one of the easiest crops to grow from seed in spring. Days to maturity: 70-80. (burpee.com.)

Diamond Ball clematis (Clematis ‘Diamond Ball’)

Elegant ice-blue flowers with many petals are abundant over a long bloom time on this shrubby vine from Proven Winners. Send it up a trellis or fence in a sunny area to add height to the garden. Zones 4-9. (provenwinners.com.)