5 TopBest Perennials for 2024
No matter how big or small the garden, there's nothing like a few new plants to make a gardener's heart sing. We've taken a look at the introductions for 2024, and some we think you'll love as much as we do. From jaw-dropping flowers to stunning foliage and some delicious food, the "Where did you get that?" There's sure to be a plant (or several) that friends ask for. The challenge with new introductions is that numbers are often low in the first year, so finding them at garden centers or online nurseries can be a bit of a challenge. So shop early and don't give up; These beautiful new plants are sure to be around next year.
1. 'Hardin's Gem' Soft Bluestar (Amsonia glaberima 'Hardin's Gem')
Zones: 5–8
Size: 30 inches high and 48 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; Well-drained soil
Native range: North America
What's not to love about our own gentle bluestars? They are deer-resistant, pollinator-friendly, and low-maintenance, and they are beautiful from spring to frost. From wild seeds collected in Hardin County, Texas, 'Hardin Gem' is all this and more. It has a dense habit; Smooth, narrow green leaves; Plus, more vigorous stems than all other tender bluestars to keep your borders colorful (and pollinators happy) all spring long.
2. 'Midnight Velvet' Sedum (Sedum 'Midnight Velvet')
Zones: 3–9
Size: 22 to 26 inches high and 30 to 32 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun; Well-drained soil
Native Range: Hybrid
If you like easy-to-grow slimes, this new strain won't disappoint. In fact, with its deep purple leaves and color-changing flowers, you'll love it even more. 'Midnight Velvet' begins with spring-like new growth, and its mature foliage is chocolate-like. Be sure to grow it in full sun; Leaves are green with more shade. They are slender when the flower buds form in summer, but they open to rose-red flowers, followed by deep red seed heads that birds feast on late in the season. 'Midnight Velvet' is heat and drought tolerant, so it looks great even in hard-to-reach areas with a hose or where there's a lot of reflected heat, such as next to a sidewalk or driveway.
3. ‘Parade of Parrots’ penstemon (Penstemon ‘Parade of Parrots’)
Zones: 7–9
Zones: 7–9
Size: 36 inches tall and 18 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun; Well-drained soil
Native range: North America
When it comes to flowers, 'Parade of Parrots' really delivers. Strong upright stems are covered in dazzling 1½-inch trumpet-shaped pink flowers from early summer through fall. Although the flowers fade, the seed heads remain dark pink. 'Parrot's Parade' Penstemon produces few seeds, so it has flowering potential. You don't need to die, but if you do, the flowers will quickly drop off the side stems. Well-drained soil is essential for this nativa, although it does best with regular moisture.
4. ‘Wonderous Creation’ peony (Paeonia ‘Wonderous Creation’)
Zones: 3–9
Size: 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Conditions: Full sun; Well-drained soil
Native range: Europe, Asia, western North America
Nothing beats the lush blooms of herbaceous peonies in spring, but yellow has long been an elusive color. Fortunately, 'Awesome Creation' has solved that problem. Each stem produces a rugged, double flower with a strong, sweet fragrance, 3½ to 4 inches in diameter. These are upright plants with strong stems that will save you some work as they usually don't require staking.
5. 'Simply Divine' Hosta (Hosta 'Simply Divine')
Zones: 3–9
Size: 18 inches tall and 45 inches wide
Conditions: Part to full shade; Moist, well-drained soil
Native Range: Hybrid
When this new hosta blooms, you will have a lot of fun growing it. H. Longips and H. A cross between plantaginia, 'Simply Divine' has glossy, robust green foliage with white, lavender-streaked flowers that have a honeysuckle-like scent. This feature allows any shady path or sitting area to become more inviting. As you wander in to enjoy the aroma, don't be surprised if a few hummingbirds sample its trumpet-shaped flowers.
6. 'Chartreuse on the Loose' Catmint (Nepeta 'Chartreuse on the Loose')
Zones: 3–8
Size: 8 to 10 inches tall and 20 to 24 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun; Well-drained soil
Native range: Caucasus, Turkey, northwestern Iran
'Chartreuse on the Loose' has lavender flowers that last from spring to fall and stunning chartreuse foliage that keeps its color all season. Make sure the plants grow in full sun; Foliage stays green in more shade. Also, as the flowering new growth outgrows the old, there is no need to cut the stems after they fade, as with most catmints. At just 10 inches tall, this pint-size perennial provides all-season color with plenty of pollinators at the front of your border. It is vigorous enough and small enough to grow in containers.
7. Blackjack agapanthus (Agapanthus 'DWAgHyb02')
Zones: 8–11
Size: 14 to 20 inches tall and 14 to 16 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; Well-drained soil
Origin: South Africa
The nearly black buds of Blackjack™ agapanthus open to a deep, rich purple, adding depth and sophistication to a sunny patio or border. Combine with white flowering candytuft (Iberis sempervirens, zones 3-8) or silver artemisia (Artemisia spp. and cvs., zones 4-9) for a beautiful heat and drought tolerant combination. Blackjack™ doesn't cut flowers either. It has more flowering stems that come a little earlier than other agapanthus varieties and has reliable regeneration, so you can enjoy it longer into the season.
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