Monrovia Announces New Plants for 2007

AZUSA, Calif. (September 13, 2006) -- Monrovia, the leading grower of premium ornamental plants, has announced 15 new plant introductions for 2007. According to Nicholas Staddon, director of new plant introductions, 11 of the varieties are exclusive or semi-exclusive to Monrovia. The other four are new to the market and certainly worthy of mention, but will be distributed by several growers. All of the new introductions are detailed below in alphabetical order:

Kaleidoscope Abelia
Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope' PP #16988
USDA Cold Zones 6-10
Its name reflects the kaleidoscope of colors of this new Abelia. Spring foliage has bright yellow variegation against chartreuse, evolving to a golden creamy yellow edge with a deeper green in summer. Its leaves adorn brilliant red stems. Autumn brings hot orange flashes and smoldering red highlights. Dainty white tubular flowers emerge from pink buds in summer. This variety is resistant to leaf fade and scorch. A low, spreading form makes this an excellent ground-covering shrub. This is a sport of 'Little Richard' developed by Randy Lindsey at Panoramic Farms in North Carolina and introduced in 2006. Full to partial sun Evergreen shrub. This moderate grower will reach two and one-half-feet tall by three and one-half- feet wide.
Planting Ideas:

• Pair with dark foliage shrubs for dynamic year-round contrast.
• Group for a low maintenance high drama color mass.
• Let it spill down banks and slopes or off retaining walls. Ideal spreader for slopes and banks needing erosion control.
• Use it in foundation planters to call attention to a point of entry.
• Plant in masses as groundcover to intensify its visibility.
• Blend into mixed beds for dramatic contrast with bronze hues and deep greens.

Crimson Ruby™ Barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Criruzam' PPAF
USDA Cold Zones 4-8
This spectacular new dwarf Barberry has vivid burgundy-red foliage. Crimson Ruby™ is a great improvement over similar pigmy Berberis, with a more vigorous growth that will not break out of its neat rounded form. Its bold foliage and smaller size make it highly versatile in landscapes. With a naturally dense shape, Crimson Ruby adapts to informal plantings, but it is easily sheared for more formal gardens. Full sun. Deciduous. Fast growth to 24 inches tall and wide.
Planting Ideas:

• Adds red color in knot gardens to contrast against grey and gold foliage.
• For city gardens, plant to soften hard corners of planters, paving and lawns.
• Makes an excellent cover-up for unsightly foundations and edges.
• An ideal smaller hedge to define planting areas and rose gardens.
• Use it to create dwarf shrub borders augmented by bold herbaceous perennials.
• Great choice for adding burgundy hues to suburban landscapes suffering from too much green.

Tropicanna® Black Canna
Canna indica 'Lon01' PPAF
USDA Cold Zone 7-11.
A unique new Canna from the Anthony Tesselaar International program, named for its large, almost black, chocolate colored foliage. Its flower spikes emerge in a bright red and in a few days mellow to orange. While most Canna require full sun, this variety needs some dappled shade. It will reach five to six feet in height. Excellent for specimen plantings or container use.
Planting Ideas:

• This looks stunning in a shade garden, its dark foliage contrasting other shade-loving plants
• Plant in mass for a dramatic look.
• Makes an excellent cover-up for unsightly foundations and edges.
• Great in a container and can be overwintered in colder climates.i>An ideal smaller hedge to define planting areas and rose gardens.

Kilian Donahue Clematis
Clematis x 'Kilian Donahue'
USDA Cold Zones 4 - 9
This exquisite Clematis will be a wonderful addition to any garden or trellis. The early flowers open ruby red, at the center of the flower, fading to brilliant fuchsia, and then orchid color at the edge of each petal. Its white anthers are burgundy tipped. The flowers fade to lavender, with a pink bar. It almost appears as two Clematis planted together, since flower colors vary in their bloom time. Kilian Donahue is an early bloomer, and is a great repeat bloomer through the summer months. This vigorous grower produces abundant blossoms early in the season, repeating through late summer. This cultivar was developed in Minnesota by Donahue Clematis Nursery. Deciduous. Sun to part shade. Vigorous growth eight to 10 feet.
Planting Ideas:

• On an espalier or flat trellis in high profile locations.
• Perfect plant to mark a front door with vivid color.
• Train up wood or metal arches at gateways.
• Drape color over fences in narrow side yards for view of flowers from windows.
• Best viewed up close near outdoor living spaces.

Merlot Coneflower
Echinacea purpea 'Merlot' PPAF
USDA Cold Zones 4 - 9
Named for its wine-colored stems, Merlot has extra large rose-pink flowers that are five inches across and have huge cones. The lavish branching produces masses of fragrant, long-lasting flowers. Merlot will mature to 34 inches tall and 30 inches wide. This variety requires no staking.
Planting Ideas:

• Plant in masses to attract butterflies and birds.
• The tall strong stems on this variety makes great cut flowers to bring indoors.
• Combine with dark foliage plants.

Raspberry Tart Coneflower
Echinacea purpea 'Raspberry Tart' PPAF
USDA Cold Zones 4- 9
This compact Echinacea produces an abundance of vibrant raspberry-magenta flowers with large cones and pendulous petals. It will mature to a height of 18 inches and 24 inches wide. Raspberry Tart has a lovely deep fragrance and long bloom season.
Planting Ideas:

• This sturdy bloomer does extremely well in containers.
• Combine with Coreopsis and other lacy perennials.
• Very effective planted in mass along a pathway or border.

Red Beauty® Holly
Ilex x 'Rutzan' Plant Patent #14,750
USDA Cold Zones 6 - 9
Red Beauty® is a new dwarf holly with near perfect form, maturing into a neat conical shape without shearing. Its very dark, glossy, forest-green foliage does not lighten up when fruiting. This evergreen holly incorporates three species, Ilex aquifolium, Ilex rugosa, and Ilex pernyi. It will produce an abundance of bright red fruit, well displayed on the wood of the previous season's growth. The berries are outstanding for their exceptionally high level of winter hardiness. A moderate grower, it will reach eight feet high and four and one half feet wide. Red Beauty is another dazzling introduction from the famed plant breeder Dr. Elwin Orton of Cook College, Rutgers University.
Planting Ideas:

• Dense, finely textured foliage produces a fine topiary like form if used as a single specimen.
• A matched pair beautifully flanks an entry, artwork or fountain.
• Makes a fine dark value background for showier perennials that bloom in spring and summer.
• Perfect evergreen for cover-up of unsightly foundations, crawl spaces and utilities around the house.
• Well suited to modest hedge either natural or sheared for dividing front yards or garden rooms.
• Narrow enough for a useful problem solver in spatially challenged side yards needing interest and privacy.
• Plant quantities of them into the rear of beds and borders for a supply of holiday decorating berries.

Emerald Wave™ Kohuhu Pittosporum
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Star'
USDA Cold Zones 8 - 11
Monrovia is delighted to be the exclusive grower of this striking Pittosporum. Discovered in New Zealand, it has small, wavy-edged leaves that are sage-green, almost silvery, on red-black stems. Its naturally dense form makes this evergreen shrub an ideal hedge or eye-catching specimen. Simply sheer annually to shape. It is drought tolerant, preferring full to partial sun. Grows 10- to 12-feet tall, four- to five-feet wide.
Planting Ideas:

• Makes a great screen that is open enough to allow in filtered light.
• Nice specimen plant.
• Use in small spaces where you might place a small tree.
• Adds nice color to a dryland garden or rock garden.
• Pair with succulents and native plants.
• Nice contrast with architectural plants such as Phormium or Agave.

Crimson Pointe™ Purple Leaf Plum
Prunus cerasifera 'Crimson Point'
USDA Cold Zones 4 - 9
Crimson Pointe™ is the first and only columnar shaped, purple leafed, ornamental plum on the market, filling the need for trees with a small footprint for today's shrinking lot sizes. This deciduous tree has glossy bronze foliage, which turns maroon green as it ages and showy white flowers. Discovered in a residential neighborhood in Northern Ohio by Jim Zampini, Crimson Point is believed to be a sport of Prunus cerasifera 'Newport'. Based on its vigor, it may mature between 25 - 30 feet in height and 10 feet wide. The narrow branch angles create a tree of strong columnar form.
Planting Ideas:

• Good for a side yard or other narrow area.
• Try a corner grouping of three.
• Plant in a single line to draw the view toward a focal point.

Heatwave Sage Series:
USDA Cold Zones 6 - 9
Heatwave is an exciting new series of four stunning Salvias from Australia. A cornucopia of colors including Heatwave Blaze™ in crimson, Heatwave Sizzle™ in candy pink, Heatwave Scorcher™ in soft pink, and Heatwave Flare™ in hot pink. They have longer bloom cycles and will repeat bloom faster than most salvias. This variety has been bred for their compact, rounded habit, reaching a little over 24 inches high and wide. They are disease resistant and have shown a good resistance to rust. A must for the drought tolerant or perennial garden. Plant in mass to attract every hummingbird in your neighborhood.
Planting Ideas:

• Plant close to the patio and windows to enjoy the hummingbirds and butterflies that it attracts.
• Add color to a drought-tolerant garden.
• Create colorful containers.
• Perennial border.
• Hot colors look great with tropicals.

Sensation Rose Meadow Sage
Salvia nemorosa 'Sensation Rose' PPAF
USDA Cold Zones 4 - 9
Following in the footsteps of the popular Salvia Marcus® comes Nico Rijnbeek's latest discovery, Sensation Rose. This variety is a new dwarf pink from Holland that is a perfect complement to the violet blooms of Marcus®. This beautiful Salvia is a must for any perennial garden or container, blooming freely from May through August. It will reach 10 to 12 inches tall and wide.
Planting ideas:

• Good for an easy-to-grow container plant.
• Brighten up perennial borders.
• Excellent addition to a wildlife garden.
• Create a natural, free-form English border

Flower Carpet® Scarlet
Rosa x 'NOA83100B' PPAF
USDA Cold Zones 5 - 11
The legacy of Flower Carpet® continues with yet another important introduction from the famous German Rose breeder Werner Noack. This is the seventh in the Flower Carpet series, and brought to market by Anthony Tesselaar International. Scarlet is a top performing groundcover rose that blooms in profusion, spring through fall, and like its predecessors, exhibits excellent disease resistance. Plants produce large double bloom clusters - up to a foot across - of six to eight blooms. A mature plant can bear 2,000 blooms in a season. This variety is very easy to grow and doesn't require deadheading. Scarlet will form a low, dense compact bush, with a mature height of 24 to 32 inches and mature width of 40 inches.
Planting Ideas:

• Plant in mass for a burst of red color.
• Makes a stunning container, pouring over the edges.
• Does very well on slopes, hillsides and other hard-to-grow sunny spots.
• A surprising burst of color in a rock garden.
• Since they need no deadheading, you can plant in a not-easy-to-reach location.

Sunny Daze® Solanum
Solanum rantonnetii 'MonRita' PPAF
USDA Cold Zones 9 - 11
Sunny Daze® is a variegated sport of Solanum rantonnetii. Its foliage has variegation of green-yellow and gold, which turn white as the leaf matures. During the warmer months, the plant is adorned with deep amethyst colored flowers, providing nice contrast against a backdrop of variegated leaves. Unlike the species, this plant prefers dappled sun or full shade. Trials in Monrovia's bullpen (our test garden for new varieties) have been conducted in 50 percent shade, with the plant holding the variegation very well, and flowering profusely. With a dwarf habit, it will reach just three feet high and wide, and does extremely well in a container. This stunning plant was discovered by Monrovia sales craftsman, Alex Pierce, who named the plant after his wife, Rita. This is an exclusive Monrovia introduction.
Planting ideas:

• This dwarf size allows planting closer to the house and patio to enjoy the flowers close up.
• Very cute in a perennial bed.
• Plant in a foundation bed with black foliage plants.
• Mixed border or as the center shrub surrounded by edging plants.

Blue Moon Wisteria
Wisteria macrostachya 'Blue Moon'
USDA Cold Zones 4-9
Monrovia is delighted to offer Blue Moon, one of the hardiest American native Wisterias, proven to survive -40°F. without any reduction in next year's bloom. This beauty will flower from June to September in three distinct crops. Intensely fragrant, lilac blue flowers dangle on abundant, foot-long racemes. Its very fast and vigorous growth will reach 25 feet. Known as a Kentucky Wisteria, its lightly scented flowers are generally a softer violet than American Wisterias, and they are born in racemes of 70 - 80. Since the native Wisteria species flower on terminal racemes to produce flowers, this means providing strong supports, such as pillars, decks, rails, fences, or walls will result in a more satisfying display than some of the devices that have been created for Asian Wisterias. This plant requires no pruning, but can be shaped after the final bloom in the fall..Blue Moon was developed by Harvey Buchite and introduced by Rice Creek Gardens in Minnesota.
Planting Ideas:

• Cover a shade arbor with fragrant, long-blooming Blue Moon Train it to snake up columns to spread out overhead to dangle its blooms underneath.
• Drape across less than ideal architecture.
• Create a quintessential, 19th century porch vine, trained along the eaves to dangle blossoms at eye level.
• Cover up fences that have seen better days.
• Train up and over an old dead tree or overgrown shrub for a natural woodland look.
• This native is a superior source of color and interest in wild, habitat and resource conservative gardens.

Background on Monrovia:
Monrovia is one of the world's largest producers of container grown plants, with more than 2,000 different varieties. Since it was founded in 1926 by Harry E. Rosedale, the company has introduced hundreds of patented plants, 300 of which are Monrovia exclusives. Monrovia produces more than 22 million plants each year at its nurseries in Visalia Calif., Dayton, Ore., Springfield, Ohio, LaGrange, N.C. and Cairo, Ga. Throughout its history, Monrovia has pioneered many new technologies and new plant introductions. It remains a family owned entity. To find the nearest garden center that carries Monrovia plants, visit www.monrovia.com.