Proven Winner’s New 2016 Annuals

Each year I have the incredible opportunity to trial plants that Proven Winners will be introducing to the market the following season. When the big brown box thumps down on my front porch, I feel like it’s Christmas morning! I plant the sweet little things in both the gardens and containers to see how they will grow and perform for the summer and fall.

Below are two containers filled with a few of next year’s champions.

This antique urn was planted in early June with Superbells Holy Moly! (deep rose pink and creamy yellow); Bidens ‘Campfire Fireburst’ (rich orange and yellow); Coral Bells ‘Grape Expectations’ and Sedum ‘Lemon Coral. There is also a Lobelia ‘Dark Blue’ that has been available for a while. All of these winners require no deadheading and enjoy full sun. Yahoo!

This container includes a charming pairing of Buddleia ‘Glass Slippers’ and Isotoma fluviatilis ‘Beth’s Blue’. The dwarf, seedless butterfly bush (18” – 24”) already bloomed once and is ready to explode into flowers again. Even without flowers (which will open soon), the silver-gray foliage of the butterfly bush is striking. ‘Beth’s Blue’ hasn’t missed a ‘flower’ stride since she was planted. Both love a sunny spot.