March 2021 - 38

VAUGHN'S VIEW
it is hardy to Zone 4b. Production
application includes 2.5 quart
and gallons, and consumer and
commercial application includes
landscape borders.
4
5
6
4. MONARDA 'MARJE
PURPLE'
Green Fuse Botanicals
The Monarda Marje series,
composed of Pink, Purple and
Rose, has been in regional trials
the past few years and has
demonstrated incomparable
mildew resistance, a prodigious
flower canopy, and large vibrant
asymmetrical tubular flowers. This
Bee Balm series matures at 15 to
18 inches, spreads up to 30 inches,
manifests a compact habit, and
blooms in July and August. This is
part of the Green Fuse Botanical
Equinox Perennial program. It
will require vernalization and long
days to produce vibrant flowers
and a multiple flower count. We
have many outstanding monarda
series in the market, and based on
performance in regional trials, this
series deserves consideration. This
photo was taken at the Colorado
State University perennial trial in
early August. Unrooted cuttings
are available from InnovaPlant and
Vivero, and liners are available from
multiple suppliers.
5. AGASTACHE 'BEELICIOUS
PURPLE'
Concept Plants
Every year, I focus on an
7
8
agastache that manifests an
abundance of vibrant flower spikes
throughout the season, and this
year my choice is 'Beelicious
Purple'. This is a standalone
variety, and it has the upright
habit and flower power to justify
consideration in any summer
program. The rich and vibrant
purple flower spikes were profuse
and eye catching. This mint-scented
selection attracts hummingbirds
and butterflies, is drought tolerant,
and matures at 16 inches. Based on
performance last summer, this is a
very good rebloomer and will have
production application in gallons,
and application for the consumer in
beds and mixed containers.
38 MARCH 2021 GPNMAG.COM
6. COREOPSIS 'CORLEONE
RED+YELLOW'
Benary+
Benary+ continues to add
perennials to their vegetative
assortment, and this new verticillata
variety is a 2020 introduction. We
have a wide assortment of coreopsis
to choose from, and what impressed
me in the trials was the vibrancy
of the deep red centers and yellow
tipped bright flowers, the stunning
bicolor pattern, the well-defined
color separation, and the excellent
vigor for a verticillata variety. This
variety is hardy to Zone 4 and
matures at 12 to 15 inches. It
will have application in quart and
gallon production. Benary Plus has
an ongoing breeding program in
seed and vegetative perennials in
a wide selection of genera, so we
should expect to see new coreopsis
introductions in the near future.
7. DICENTRA 'PINK
DIAMONDS'
Walters Gardens
This Proven Winners Premier
Selection for 2020-2021 is distinct
from any fern-leaf Bleeding Heart
in the market. It is an alpinetype
hybrid that prefers a full
sun exposure. This variety begins
blooming in late spring and will
bloom throughout the summer. The
two-tone pink flower clusters are
positioned above the blue-green
foliage, and they are prolific and
striking. I was impressed by the
clumps of fern-like foliage, the habit
and the prolific flowering in midAugust
in the Walters Garden trial
in Michigan. This is not your typical
Bleeding Heart and will become a
top seller in the seasons ahead.
'Pink Diamonds' matures at 12 to
16 inches and is hardy to Zone 3.
8. COREOPSIS 'CASTELLO
POM POM YELLOW'
Syngenta Flowers
Syngenta has introduced an
exemplary Coreopsis grandiflora.
This new standalone doubleflowering
variety demonstrated
outstanding characteristics in
the summer trials including a
uniform habit with sturdy, upright
branching. The large double flowers
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2021
