Stand Out with Unique Perennials
The perennial market continues to gain traction at the consumer level, and there is still plenty of room for growth. This booming category is the perfect opportunity for growers to differentiate themselves in the market.
Industry consultant Paul Pilon discussed “Perennials with Potential” in the November issue of GPN. He says there are many exciting and unique perennials out there that are often not included in perennial programs.
He shared some “not so typical” perennials that are currently under utilized but have tons of potential. “These underutilized perennials are often plants that have been around for a while, were recently introduced and, in some instances, are vastly different than the norm within commonly produced classes of perennials,” Pilon says.
“Perennials are selected and included in perennial programs for various reasons,” he goes on. “Perennials may be selected for their familiarity, eye-popping color, length of bloom, plant size and landscape performance.”
Whatever the reason, here are a few varieties he thinks are worthy of your consideration when compiling your perennial offerings.
Vitex agnus-castus ‘Blue Diddley’
Proven Winners
While vitex is most commonly known as a shrub or small tree, some cultivars behave more like herbaceous perennials in Northern environments. ‘Blue Diddley’ has a great compact form and is hardy to Zone 5. It produces loads of lavender-blue flower spikes.
Monardella marantha ‘Marian Sampson’
Plant Select
‘Marian Sampson’ offers late spring through summer flowering atop low-growing (3 to 6 inches high) foliage. The exotic clusters of scarlet-orange trumpets are intensely aromatic. This is a rock garden perennial hardy to Zone 5B.
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’
Terra Nova Nurseries
With its golden foliage, ‘Sun King’ provides season-long interest to the shady landscape. It emerges in mid-spring with bright gold leaves on contrasting reddish brown stems. Leaves remain yellow in partial shade and take on a chartreuse to lime green coloration in heavy shade.
Unlike other cultivars on the market, this calamagrostis is a warm season grass that develops showy inflorescences in late summer rather than spring. This Zone 4 ornamental grass grows to 4 feet and is shade tolerant.
This striking perennial has brilliant red tubular blooms with dramatically contrasting canary yellow throats. Spigelia is hardy to Zone 6 and performs best in bright woodlands, shaded borders or even in patio containers. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the landscape.
Caryopteris divaricata ‘Snow Fairy’
‘Snow Fairy’ is an herbaceous Zone 5 perennial that grows and appears like a shrub and can even be marketed as on. It has striking green and white variegated foliage that remains clean and fresh throughout the entire season. Once established in the landscape, it is drought resistant.
Are you growing any of these perennial cultivars? Have you found success with any other specialty perennials? If so, let me know! I’d love to hear from you.
And if you’d like to read Paul Pilon’s full article, you can find it online here.
Video Library 
