November December 2023 - 28

VAUGHN'S VIEW
and is hardy to Zone
4. It is extremely
uniform and early
flowering, and its
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9. MONARDA DIDYMA 'BEE
MINE PINK'
Darwin
The Monarda 'BeeMine Pink' was
the most floriferous Monarda in the
Metrolina trial in late June and in the
Colorado State trial in early August.
The vibrant, frilly electric pink flowers
formed a colorful canopy over dense
mint green foliage. The BeeMine
series consists of Lavender, Red
and Pink. This is an early flowering,
medium-height series that matures at
15-18 inches. The foliage was clean
and showed no signs of powdery
mildew in either trial.This is a uniform
first-year flowering series for sunny
locations and is a pollinator magnet.
The Darwin Monarda lineup is
impressive with the compact Balmy
series, the mid-size BeeMine series
and the more vigorous Sugar Buzz
series. The accompanying photograph
is from the Colorado State trial.
10. RUDBECKIA HIRTA
'PAWNEE SPIRIT'
Benary
This new Rudbeckia seed selection
from Benary was stunning in
southern and northern trials. It is the
compact sister of 'Denver Daisy' with
outstanding large yellow ray petals and
a conspicuous dark reddish burgundy
center. It matures at 18-24 inches
28 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 GPNMAG.COM
garden performance
in high temperatures,
humidity and rainy conditions
was exceptional. Benary offers
a commanding selection
of Rudbeckia varieties
and 'Pawnee Spirit' will
become a significant and
salient offering in perennial
programs. The accompanying
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photograph is from the Young's
Plant trial in late June.
11. SALVIA NEMOROSA 'DARK
MATTER' & 'PINK NEBULA'
Danziger
Last year Danziger introduced the
stand alone variety Salvia 'Dark Matter'
with vibrant, large purple florets on
strong inflorescences. It flowered
early with a prolific flower canopy in
trials last summer and continued that
performance in regional trials this year.
Salvia 'Pink Nebula' is the new
introduction for 2024. The large
rosy-pink florets and dark stems on
upright and durable inflorescences
were impressive. The characteristics
of note are earliness, reblooming
potential, first-year flowering, no
bulking or vernalization required,
strong radial branching and intense
flower saturation. Both varieties
mature at 16-20 inches, flower timing
is similar and flower size and ultimate
height are identical. Both varieties are
hardy to Zone 4 and are available from
multiple liner suppliers or ThinkPlants
in unrooted form.
12. PHLOX PANICULATA
LUMINARY 'BACKLIGHT'
Walters Gardens
Phlox Luminary 'Backlight' is the
newest addition to the Luminary
collection and it manifested in
multiple trials the attributes of
mildew resistance, heat and humidity
tolerance, a strong upright habit
and well defined and prolific pure
white flower panicles that contrast
nicely with the dark green foliage.
It demonstrated its resilience, heat
and humidity tolerance, pure white
flowers and floriferousness in the
Dallas Arboretum perennial bed in
early July following eight weeks of
adverse environmental conditions,
and its toughness and durability in
the Colorado State trial in August.
'Backlight' is an important addition
to the collection. White reflects the
most light in the garden and this
Phlox has adaptability in moonlight
garden settings, full sun locations and
will provide essential contrast in any
perennial bed. This series matures at
28-30 inches and is hardy to Zone 3a.
13. RUDBECKIA HIRTA
MINIBECKIA 'FLAME'
Garden Genetics
This Rudbeckia was introduced in
2020 and continues to impress every
year in regional trials. It has been
awarded a Plant of Distinction
at the University of Georgia, Athens
trial and has won many other
performance awards over the last
three years. It is self-branching and
has a dense upright habit with striking
large semi-double yellow ray flowers
with a red center and large central
cones. It flowered profusely in the
trial beds in Georgia in late June and
in the field and container trial at the
Dallas Arboretum in early July. This
continuously blooming variety will
provide eight weeks of color under
adverse conditions of heat and drought
and has application in landscape
beds and containers. It matures at
18-24 inches and is hardy to Zone 5.
We have a plethora of Rudbeckia
selections to choose from and the
Minibeckia 'Flame' has demonstrated
its resilience and value to the industry.
The accompanying photograph is from
the University of Georgia, Athens trial
in late June.
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November December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November December 2023
