They see a bar top with a huge bowl of peanuts and hear a disembodied voice saying, “You guys look AMAZING!” Surprised, they look to the bartender and ask, “What’s going on?” He replies, “It’s the nuts… they’re complimentary…”
Whoa, campers! We’ve got a lovely trio indeed to introduce to y’all. Summer is coming fast and all of the ephemerals are out and pretty much down for the count. Bulbs are done. Let’s look at these summer powerhouses to take us to fall when our customers are actually in the garden. When we entertain, there is usually a tour of our show garden before the grill is lit. Of course, we have some pretty “horty” friends but it’s always fun to point out some cool plants before settling down for a meal.
All three are full-sun tolerant and relatively drought resistant. It’s essential to prepare them for drought by watering deeply and infrequently to drive the roots deeper. I ran into a newbie at a talk who mentioned her plants sulked or died from rot. She went on to say that they frequently fell over in the wind. “How often do you water them?” I asked. “Three times a week,” was her reply. Bingo.
These three are not ordinary plants. A Heucherella has to be incredibly special to introduce these days. We believe we grow the most varieties and the best varieties, and “Pink Stardust” raises the bar. We are also known for changing the palette of Echinacea colors, having cantaloupe, tipped bicolors, and most recently lime-greens which are refreshing on a hot summer’s day. Nepetas (catmints) are no slouch for providing cool blues and purples in a profuse show till fall. We were honored to have our catmint, ‘Blue Dragon,’ complimented as one of the best by Patick Cullina, the installer of New York City’s High Line. Nepeta ‘Purple Haze,’ our plant of the month, was selected to be part of Monrovia Nurseries’ lineup which is high praise indeed! A commendation and an honor.
I can’t tell you about our surprise series that will be featured in our new 2027 catalog, well I could, but they would have to shoot me. So, until July when we launch, you will see something amazing, different, and exciting. Here’s the link to our current catalog. Linked below, it’s a colorful and informative magazine. You will learn about the ways of our breeding and witness the remarkable introductions we have introduced over the last thirty-four years. Besides, there’s a lot of groovy pictures, container combos and especially gigantic installations in Australia and China that use our plants on a huge scale.
Come explore these three remarkable offerings by the ORIGINAL innovators: Terra Nova™.
This article is handwritten.
Heucherella 'Pink Stardust'
Silvery, mint green foliage is crowned with a bright pink star shower each spring and summer. Large, unusual star shaped flowers are held on sturdy stems that keep coming for months. Emerging light pink, the flowers turn a rich, darker pink than most Heucherellas. Flowers appear to be almost double. This totally sterile and rust-free plant will shine in a forest woodland or on a sunny patio. Excellent habit, too. A joy in mixed containers. Hardy in USDA zones four to nine. The flower stems grow to fourteen inches high in a strong upright habit, twelve inches wide by six inches high in its first season. Full sun, partial shade exposure is great. In the south, you can grow them in the shade. You can expect blooms from April-August! Heucherella flowers are sterile, so they keep blooming.
Wow! Such a color combo! Lime green and lemon yellow combined on the same flower is a beautiful combination. As the season progresses, the yellow portion gets a kiss of cantaloupe at the base of the petal. Marvelous, naturally compact habit shows the flowers off in a bouquet-style habit. Beautiful in a container, either alone or mixed with other plants. Hardy in USDA zones four to nine. The fragrant, pollinator-calling flowers on stems grow to seventeen inches high in a strong upright habit, sixteen inches wide by ten inches high in their first season. Full sun exposure is great. You can expect blooms from June-October! Its compact form allows it to highlight blooms effectively in mixed plantings or as a standalone feature.
This wonderful hybrid catmint is a fabulous addition to any sunny garden. 'Purple Haze' forms a silver mat with purple-blue flower spikes that look like Buddleias. It really makes a statement for a Nepeta! The plants have a clean habit and bloom all summer long. No maintenance because it rarely gets messy! It can be used in the front of borders and mixed beds, as a groundcover on banks, or in a rock garden. A very versatile plant. Monrovia chose this one for its showiness and versatility. Works in the landscape to cover unattractive bare stems as seen with Dahlias, Baptisia, and roses. Hardy in USDA zones six to ten. Pollinator-friendly flowers arise on stems that grow to seven inches high in a strong upright mat-like habit, thirty inches wide by ten inches high in their first season. Full sun exposure is great. You can expect blooms from June-October! Works well with mid-to-tall Echinacea and Rudbeckia. Minimal maintenance, easy to grow and drought-tolerant if established.
Dan Heims is an award-winning author who lectures throughout the world. He was recently honored by The American Horticultural Society with the Luther Burbank Breeding Award, as well as the Perennial Plant Association’s Award of Merit. He was also honored in receiving the Royal Horticultural Society’s Reginald Cory Cup for advancements in breeding. A 2025 Silver Laurel Award was granted by GardenComm International for Terra Nova’s unusual 2025 Commercial Catalog.
Dan has a lovely trio of plants to introduce. And in Dan’s special way he does it with humor and excitement. Click here for an interesting article on some exciting, new plants.
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