WinkBlog

9 / 11

Butterscotch Baby Spirea

Japanese spireas don’t always inspire a second look, but visitors to Monrovia’s trial gardens seemed to take a liking to this one.

Butterscotch Baby Spirea undergoes intriguing color transformations. New growth emerges a warm, caramel-butterscotch color, then transitions to bright chartreuse green in summer. That serves as a backdrop for the bright pink flowers until the caramel-red color returns in fall.

“This variety is exceptionally compact, and it has such wonderful foliage color,” says McConnell.

With its compact habit, Butterscotch Baby Spirea can fit into a variety of garden situations — from foundations and borders to residing among bedding annuals or rock garden plants. “Spirea is really versatile, and this one even more so because of the size,” McConnell says.

Butterscotch Baby Spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘MINSPIZ02’) is a member of the Rosaceae family, growing 18 inches tall by two feet wide. It does best in full sun in any well-drained soil with acid to neutral to slightly alkaline pH, putting forth bright pink flowers in spring.

“Spirea is so easy to grow, there’s not much to know,” McConnell says. “It’s not fussy about soil and doesn’t need much care. A light trim once the flowers have stopped blooming will tidy it up.” Butterscotch Baby is hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

10 / 11

Banana Split Daphne

This Monrovia introduction features variegated leaves with wide, creamy yellow edging.

“We love the foliage of this variegated variety,” says McConnell. “It really brightens up shady spots in the garden. And, of course, it has those early blooms with a heavenly scent that daphnes are prized for.”

The foliage makes the perfect foil for the sweetly fragrant blooms, which start out as rosy pink buds and open to beautiful white. Banana Split Daphne can be used wherever its beauty and fragrance can be appreciated — say, near a window or lining a walkway or patio.

“This is a great option under the dappled shade of trees,” McConnell says. “It also makes a good foundation plant on the north or northeast side of a house.”

Banana Split Daphne (Daphne odora ‘Monzulzay’) is a member of the Thymelaeaceae family, maturing at about four feet tall and wide. It accepts full shade, filtered shade, part shade or part sun and likes a fast-draining, sandy loam soil with neutral pH. It blooms in late winter or early spring, depending on region, and is hardy in Zones 7 to 9.

“Daphnes can be a little particular,” McConnell says. “Make sure the soil is moist and rich but very well-drained. Dapple sun or morning sun and afternoon shade are the best options. It does not like hot and dry, and should be protected from desiccating winds.”

11 / 11

Seaside Serenade Kitty Hawk Hydrangea

The newest member of the Seaside Serenade hydrangea collection from Monrovia is a showy rebloomer featuring mophead clusters of flowers. Flower clusters emerge lime green, then turn a beautiful hue of soft pink in alkaline soils or purple to blue in acidic soils.

“Kitty Hawk has nice, big mophead blooms, and the bracts form a really unique star shape,” says McConnell. “They start a light lime green before blushing pink, so you get a nice two-toned look. It’s really lovely.”

The thick, deep-green foliage doesn’t wilt in the afternoon heat, giving Kitty Hawk true staying power. The blooms are great in cut-flower arrangements, and the compact, bushy habit of this shrub helps it serve a variety of roles.

“This is a must-have in a cottage garden,” McConnell says. “Add it into an eclectic mixed border planting, or plant en masse with a simple palette for an elegant look.”

Seaside Serenade Kitty Hawk Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hokomapfloy’) belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family, growing three- to four-feet tall and wide. It grows in part sun, filtered sun or part shade and prefers an enriched, evenly moist, well-drained soil but adapts to a range of pH levels. It blooms in summer and is hardy in Zones 5 to 9.

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