Dramatic and impressive perennial, with many large (8” wide), eye-catching flowers, the Luna series produces big, bushy, well-branched plants without pinching. Great in containers, as well as in the ground. Has a garden height of 2 to 3 ft. and a spread of 2 ft. Heat-loving plants are also drought tolerant once established in the garden. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

·         Ageratum ‘Artist Purple’ & ‘Artist Blue’

An annual Ageratum that actually survives and performs in Texas! Compact, mounded habit and free-flowering performance from April until November.  Tremendous improvement over familiar seed grown varieties. A warm, red tinged shade of violet with medium green foliage.

·         Ornamental Pepper ‘Burning Embers’

Chili Pepper Explosive Ember has dark purple foliage topped with purple fruit, which mature to a brilliant red.  The foliage and fruit make a lovely color combination Excellent as a fall accent, but will grow and fruit all summer. Plants reach a height 10-14 inches and spread about 10 inches. Excellent ornamental pepper with tasty hot peppers as well.

·         Begonia ‘Stara’ Series (Pink, Rose, Red and White)

Green leaf fibrous variety for full sun or shade. Vigorous growth habit, with constant production of flowers. Withstood full sun during the hottest weather and did not scorch.  Excellent for part shade as well. Improvement over other varieties.

·         Alternanthera ‘Purple Knight’

Striking dark purple-leafed foliage annual that adds pizzazz to garden beds and mixed containers. Quickly grows to 2 ft. tall by 4 ft. wide. May be pruned to keep smaller. Dark foliage color is best in full-sun, but will perform in light shade.

·         Iresine ‘Purple Lady’

This dark purple-leafed accent plant is an ideal choice for mixed containers or as a “solo” hanging basket variety, ‘Purple Lady’ makes a low, spreading plant that fills in nicely and cascades as the branches get longer and heavier. ‘Purple Lady’ grows just 6 to 8 in. tall, with a 3 to 4-ft. spread. Ideally suited to partial sun/partial shade conditions where it combines wonderfully with impatiens.

·         Zinnia ‘Swizzle Cherry & Ivory’ & ‘Swizzle Scarlet & Yellow’

The first two colors of the Swizzle Series zinnia.  Guaranteed to get attention in the landscape. Bi-color flowers are produced on vigorous plants all season. Full, bushy plants fill in pots and beds quickly.  Must have full sun. Mildew resistant.

·         Torenia ‘Summer Wave Large Violet’

The Summer Wave series has superb heat tolerance and low-maintenance performance. Fast and easy to grow, it provides superb color even in the hottest summer months. A foolproof combination plant for container gardens. Large deep violet cover bright green foliage. Outstanding partial to full sun landscape plant producing flowers from spring until first frost. Also terrific in combination baskets or window boxes.

·         Petunia ‘Tidal Wave Silver’

Flowers of silvery white to very light lavender with dark purple veins continually cover this petunia.  Consistently a winner in the Trial Garden. Tidal Wave Silver petunias are excellent garden performers, with terrific “flower power” from early spring until fall. Disease tolerance and quick recovery from rain. Well-suited to large containers. In the landscape plants form a dense, mounded hedge 18” tall by 3 to 4 ft. wide.

webmaster: jturner@dallasarboretum 214-515-6580

Copyright: Jimmy L. Turner, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society, 2005
Information or photos may not be reprinted without permission.