 | NEW FLOWERS
The following new flowers for 2005 are featured in mail order seed catalogs, seed packets, or as bedding plants from plantsellers and garden centers. Not all new NGB varieties are represented here. For a complete list, visit www.ngb.org, click on the Journalist link and enter User Name: Journalist, and Password: seed. |
 | 'Atlas Needlepoint' Pansy
One of the NGB's most eyecatching choices for 2005 was the 'Atlas Needlepoint' pansy, which features unique threads of color and pastel shadings.
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 | 'Ranunculus Heavenly Blue' Campanula
This new annual variety of the Campanula ranunculus species sports gorgeous light blue, star-shaped flowers. Growing to 30-36 inches tall with multiple branches, it's beautiful in the garden and also makes a great cut flower with a long vase life. |
 | 'Radio' Calendula
The new 'Radio' Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is not new at all, but a reintroduced heirloom plant dating from about 1930. An annual, it features shiny orange petals with a red underside. The plant grows to 2 feet tall in sun and part shade in the garden or containers and makes a good cut flower. |
 | 'Psyche White' Cosmos
This hybrid annual of the Cosmos bipinnatus species features uniquely configured semi-double blossoms of pure white. The plant grows to 4 feet tall with a 3-foot spread and requires staking. It prefers full sun and is heat-tolerant. A great cut flower. |
 | 'Red Dragon' Geum
Double scarlet blossoms with wavy petals distinguish this new geum. The blooms are an inch and a half wide and the plant grows to about 2 feet tall. Good planted singly, in mass plantings, or in containers. Perennial in zones 5-7, which includes our Ozarks region. |
 | 'Avalanche Grape' Petunia
'Avalanche Grape' is a new trailing petunia (Petunia x hybrida) early to flower and with a habit said to be far superior to other trailing seed petunias. The plants grow 6-8 inches tall with a 24-inch spread. The flowers are a gorgeous iridescent purple with a dark eye. |
 | 'Dolce Flambe' Petunia
This multiflora-type petunia (Petunia x hybrida) bears masses of beautiful 3-inch-wide flowers suffused with rose, lemon, and creamy white. The plants are compact and grow to 8-10 inches tall. Excellent in full-sun hanging baskets or in mass plantings. |
 | 'Camelot' Digitalis
'Camelot Rose' is a remarkable new foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) judged superior in seed quality, overall appearance, and reliability in blooming. It blooms the first year and more heavily the second. The plant grows to 4 feet tall. |
 | 'Brilliant' Phlox
Not a new plant at all but a reintroduced heirloom from 1901, this remarkable phlox (Phlox drummondii) bears white to pale pink flowers with starry centers in shades of darker pink. It likes full sun and is beautiful in the garden or in containers. Cold and frost tolerant. |
 | 'SunDevil eXtreme Orchid w eye' Vinca
Huge, 2 1/2-inch flowers and excellent basal branching make this new vinca series (Catharanthus roseus) a spectacular garden addition. The plant is full and lush, grows to 16 inches tall, and has extraordinary disease tolerance. Its garden performance is said to be "incredible." |
 | 'Lavender Blue Halo' Vinca
'Lavender Blue Halo' Catharanthus roseus) is an exceptionally vigorous vinca that blooms very early and bears a profusion of huge, brightly colored blooms. Well-branched plants grow 14-16 inches tall. Superior performance in hot and dry conditions. The series has 8 colors. |
 | 'Viper Pink' Vinca
The National Garden Bureau says the clearly remarkable 'Viper Pink' Vinca Catharanthus roseus) "has unbeatable landscaping performance, stretching the boundaries of vinca growing with excellent heat and cold tolerance, extraordinary disease resistance and a free-branching habit." The plants grow to 11 1/2 inches tall. |
 | 'Profusion Fire' Zinnia
The latest color in the extraordinary 'Profusion' Zinnia series (Zinnia elegans) is the hot scarlet-orange of 'Profusion Fire'. The foliage is dark green and plants grow to 18 inches tall. The National Garden Bureau says to expect the same excellent garden performance as other colors in the 'Profusion' series. (FYI: Another new color in the series is 'Apricot'.) |
 | 'Magellan Mix' Zinnias
The colors and corresponding varietal names in the 'Magellan Mix' Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are 'Pink', 'Scarlet', 'Orange', 'Yellow', 'Coral', 'Ivory', 'Cherry', and 'Salmon'. The plant is vigorous and bears an abundance of gorgeous, fully double blooms throughout the season. An exceptional performer in every way. |
 | 'SunDevil Beaconsfield' Pansy
This virtually breathtaking new pansy series (Viola x wittrockiana) features 3-inch-wide blossoms on compact plants 6-8 inches tall and a foot wide. A large-flowered pansy and viola cross, it flowers early and profusely. Heat tolerance is excellent and the series comes in 14 colors. |
 | 'Nature Blue and Yellow' Pansy
This new, large-flowered pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) is extremely floriferous, blooming profusely on compact plants 8 inches x 8 inches. It tolerates both cold and heat. 'Nature Red and Yellow' is a similar new introduction. |
 | 'Kong Rose' Coleus
The new 'Kong' series of Coleus plants come in five colors. 'Kong Rose' sports striking light green leaves with vibrant rose centers. The plants are nicely multibranched with neat mounded habit and grow to 18 inches tall. |
 | 'Graffiti Bright Red' Pentas
Beautiful bright-red, star-shaped flowers abound on this new Pentas hybrid (Pentas lanceolata). Ideal in a hot, sunny location, the plants grow into 8-inch tall mounds of flowers. Very striking in the garden or as a container plant. |
 | 'Maximus Mix' Mimulus
One of the most dramatic additions to the flower palate for 2005 is 'Maximus Mix' series of mimulus (Mimulus x hybrida), which some say simply can't be beaten for color impact in the garden. The blossoms grow as much as 2.75 inches wide on plants from 9.5-11.5 inches tall. Selected for warmer conditions, it also has excellent stress tolerance. |
 | 'Black Velvet Scarlet' Geranium
A Pelargonium x hortorum hybrid, this new geranium has foliage as dark as the All-America Selection 'Black Velvet Rose'. Plants grow to 10 inches tall. Colors in the series include 'Appleblossom', 'Red', 'Rose', Salmon', and 'Formula Mix'. |
 | 'Braveheart Rose Bicolor' Begonia
This new bicolor begonia (Begonia hybrida) grows in sun or shade and blooms early and all through summer with a profusion of rose and white blooms. It's said to be a fast grower that quickly fills garden beds and containers. |
 | 'Hot Trumpets' Salvia
This new perennial sage (Salvia roemeriana) bears brilliant red trumpet-shaped flowers on 12-inch spikes. The plants are compact, growing to 15 inches tall with a 12-inch spread. Excellent in sunny gardens, in mass plantings, and in containers. |
 | NEW VEGETABLES
The following new vegetables will be featured in 2005 mail order seed catalogs, seed packets, or as bedding plants from plantsellers and garden centers. Not all new NGB varieties are represented here. For a complete list, visit www.ngb.org, click on the Journalist link and enter User Name: Journalist, and Password: seed. |
 | 'Fairy Tale' Eggplant
The beautiful striped 'Fairy Tale' Eggplant (Solanum melongena) grows on dwarf 18-24-inch plants with abundant yields in containers, landscapes, or gardens. Harvest 4-inch-long fruits 49-51 days from transplanting. |
 | 'Momotaro' Tomato
Said to be Japan's most popular tomato, the 'Momotaro' Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) bears pink, juicy, flavorful fruit that holds its quality after picking. Indeterminate vines bear heavily and require staking. |
 | 'Avalon' Sweet Corn
'Avalon' Sweet Corn (Zea mays rugosa), a white triplesweet corn created for home gardens, is creamy, tender, and said to be delicious. Ears are 8 inches long and harvested 82 days after sowing. |
 | 'Tomande' Tomato
The 'Tomande' Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) bears somewhat oblate, semi-ribbed fruit with outstanding sweet flavor. Tomatoes reach 6.5 inches in diameter. Small indeterminate plants bear heavily 68 days after transplanting. |
 | 'Sugary' Tomato
A very sweet cherry-size tomato, 'Sugary' (Lycopersicon esculentum), is a pretty oval with apointed blossom end. Reddish-pink fruit is borne in grape-like clusters on high-yielding semi-indeterminate vines. Harvest 60 days from transplanting. |
 | 'Marveille' Lettuce
This lettuce's true varietal name is 'Marveille de Quatre Salsons' and it's actually a centuries-old French heirloom bibb lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Ruby-red leaves on large, heavy heads surround loosely folded, crisp green hearts. Ornamental and delicious. Harvest in 60 days. |
 | 'MiRoma' Tomato
The 'MiRoma' Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is a large-fruited "saladette" tomato with firm, thick flesh and deep-red color. Vigorous determinate plants bear heavily early to mid-season. Nematode-resistant and said to be great for home gardens. |
 | 'Marcellino' Tomato
This upright determinate cherry tomato sets an enormous harvest all at once, with dozens upon dozens of clusters of 20-25 tomatoes each. Incredibly, 'Marcellino' (Lycopersicon esculentum) is also said to stay fresh and tasty up to a month after ripening. |
 | 'Fireball' Lettuce
'Fireball' Lettuce is a large red lettuce with a creamy yellow interior. Tenderness and taste are excellent. Mild flavor stays bitter-free longer. Heat tolerance is good and it harvests in 51 days. |
 | Britton Perilla
Britton Perilla (Perilla frutescens Britton) is an herb of the mint family widely cultivated in the Far East. It features attractive green leaves with reddish-purple undersides and a mild mint/basil aroma. Young leaves are said to be wonderful in salads, larger leaves as sushi wraps. Lovely in the garden or as an ornamental in containers. |
 | 'BonBon' Squash
'Bonbon' is a new buttercup-type winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) with improved taste, uniformity, and yield. Smooth green-and-orange skin covers yellow flesh. Harvest 4-5-pound fruit 95 days from sowing. Also an All-America Selections winner. |
 | 'Eureka' Cucumber
The 'Eureka' Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) features a dark green color and crisp texture that make it great for salads and perfect for pickles when up to 4.5 inches long. Grow on a fence or trellis and harvest in 57 days. Multiple disease resistance. |
 | 'Gala' Mache
Mache (Valerianella locusta), also known as Lamb's Lettuce, Corn Salad, and Feldtsalat, is a cold-hardy European plant that was also grown in Thomas Jefferson's gardens at Monticello. 'Gala' is a new variety with a mild, nutty flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Sow in summer for harvest in 90 days in fall or early spring. |
 | 'Schooltime' Pumpkin
'Schooltime' Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) has bright orange skin, slight ribbin, strong handles, and a shape that kids are said to love. Harvest 8-10-pound pumpkins 87-95 days after sowing. Early maturity makes it perfect for fall decorating and cooking. |
 | 'Quetzali' Watermelon
The 'Quetzali' Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a globe-shaped melon with bright red flesh and high sugars. Harvest 9-12-pound fruit(a great size for the refrigerator!) 83 days from sowing. |
 | 'Cosmic Purple' Carrots
The 'Cosmic Purple' Carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) has a purplish exterior with an orange interior and yellow core. More to the point, it also has a very sweet flavor either raw or cooked. Harvest 6-8-inch-long carrots in 65-70 days. |
 | 'Festival' Squash
'Festival' Winter Squash (Curcurbita maxima) is a new carnival-type squash with mottled green-and-orange skin and a delightfully sweet flavor. Each fruit is perfect for 2 servings. Harvest in 100 days. |
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