Monrovia Introduces 40 Plant Varieties

New to the Market for 2010

Monrovia, the leading grower of premium plants, is introducing 40 varieties for 2010 that are new to the market, including 16 exclusive and six semi-exclusive introductions.

Monrovia's latest offerings include two new varieties of the Itoh Peony Collection, five selections added to the Dan Hinkley Collection, three colorful Barberries from Ohio plantsman Jim Zampini and the world's first prostrate Camellia. Below are details on 23 of the stars for 2010, alphabetical by botanical name.

Beesia
Beesia deltophylla
USDA Zone 6 - 8

  • Excellent evergreen ground cover from the Dan Hinkley Collection. When Dan collected the seeds in China years ago, he was immediately intrigued by the species, but frustrated by the virtual absence in any reference book. Sure to be hugely popular when gardeners see its exceptional shiny, green to gunmetal blue, heart-shaped leaves and pretty white star-shaped flowers in mid to late spring. A fuss-free filler for shady understory spaces or a woodland garden. This slow-growing perennial will reach 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Prefers dappled shade and moist, rich soil. 

Golden Ruby™ Barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Goruzam' P.P. #16203
USDA Zone 4 - 8

  • A beautiful, slow-growing compact plant with striking coral-orange foliage accented with a golden margin. Makes a great landscape plant for mass plantings or an eye-catching color contrast. Its compact growth habit, only two feet tall and wide, makes this a low maintenance selection. Prefers full sun. Deciduous. Another fantastic dwarf Barberry from Ohio plantsman Jim Zampini.

Green Hornet™ Barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Grhozam'
USDA Zone 4 - 8

  • A very compact, low-growing Barberry, sporting emerald green foliage with teal blue undersides. Its striking orange-gold fall color works well when defining a walkway or as a mass planting in a larger area of the garden. One and one-half feet tall and three feet wide. Full sun. A marvelous selection from Ohio plantsman Jim Zampini. 

Pygmy Ruby™ Barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Pygruzam'
USDA Zone 4 - 8

  • Shiny, deep red leaves cover the naturally dense, globe-shaped shrub. With no trimming required to maintain its neat, dwarf habit, this makes a fine low-maintenance mass-planting, low border or accent. Deciduous; one and one-half feet tall and two feet wide. From the renowned plantsman Jim Zampini, another easy-care dwarf Barberry.

Golden Triumph™ Boxwood
Buxus microphylla 'Golden Triumph' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 4 - 9

  • A low-growing, compact Japanese Boxwood, rarely reaching above three feet tall in 10 years. Shiny green foliage with showy golden-yellow margins adorn this very hardy Boxwood variety, creating a great contrast plant in the garden. This slow grower works well in foundation plantings, or to create a unique pattern or framework in a formal garden. Full sun or dappled shade. Performs well in the heat.

Marge Miller™ Camellia
Camellia sasanqua 'Marge Miller'
USDA Zone 7 - 10

  • Although presented in the form of a patio tree or staked to three feet tall, this Australian introduction is the first prostrate Camellia in the world. It makes a superb ground cover, spilling over walls or even from a hanging basket. When trained on a stake or wall, it will cascade down for a lovely weeping shape. Full, soft pink flowers appear in fall along the stems against the deep-green, glossy foliage. Prefers filtered sun. 

Vancouver Starry Skies™ Clematis
Clematis x 'Vancouver Starry Skies'
USDA Zone 4 - 9

  • Clematis continue to captivate us and Vancouver Starry Skies is no exception. Sporting large, eight-inch fuchsia rosy-pink flowers that grow darker towards the center, with age the flowers become paler. However, the mid-rib of the bloom continues to be very colorful. This mid-rib is "dusted with gold," which shimmers in direct sunlight. Will reach 10 feet. Full sun.   

Chinese Fairy Bells
Disporum cantoniense 'Green Giant'
USDA Zone 6 - 9

  • A new addition to Monrovia's Dan Hinkley Collection, this magnificent evergreen perennial was found and named by noted plant explorer Dan Hinkley in Sichuan Province, China. Its bamboo-like shoots emerge in shades of pink, white and green, maturing to deep green. Fragrant, creamy-white flowers unfurl like nodding bells with new growth each spring; flowers are followed by glistening black fruit in fall. Four to six feet tall, three feet wide. Partial to full shade; needs moderately moist soil. A perfect container plant.

Surprise Bouquet™ Yucca

Hesperaloe parviflora 'Surprise Bouquet'
USDA Zone 5 - 11

  • The combination of Red Yucca and Yellow Yucca in the same container creates tall spikes of deep rose-pink, yellow and yellow-orange flowers almost year-round, and the nectar-filled blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds. An evergreen perennial often used with other desert-like plants. Full sun. Moderate grower to three to four feet tall and wide; flower stalks to four to six feet. It is also great as a container plant. 

James Fleming Hisbiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos 'James Fleming' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 4 - 10

  • This groundbreaking improvement, from the breeding program started by the late Fleming Brothers, produces maroon-tinted foliage. Exceptionally bright hot-pink flowers have a red eye and a flat, wide form. The huge blooms really stand out against the dark foliage. This spectacular summer bloomer has an upright, rounded habit. Perfect quick addition to the shrub or perennial border for an instant makeover. A satisfying country garden staple. Perennial. Full sun. Very fast growth three to four feet tall and wide. 

Snowflame Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Snowflame' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 4 - 10

  • Another fantastic variety from the Fleming Brothers breeding program, Snowflame has gorgeous cerise-red blooms showing over a long season that look stunning against maroon foliage. Strong upright rounded form, three to four feet tall and wide. Perfect addition to the shrub or perennial border for instant makeover. Chosen both for its tropical appeal and its compact, cottage look. Deciduous. Full sun.  

BABY GRAND®Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora var. 'STRgra' P.P.#13851
USDA Zone 7 - 9

  • A unique discovery from Anthony Tesselaar International in Australia. This dwarf evergreen Magnolia has a very rounded form, ideal for the smaller garden. Perfect for those who have always wanted a Magnolia but never had the room. Producing large creamy-white lemon-scented flowers in the spring and summer. Works well as a single specimen, multiple planting, or free-form hedge. This evergreen has a nice compact form. Eight to 10 feet tall and wide. Full sun.

Antonow's Blue Honey Bush
Melianthus major 'Antonow's Blue'
USDA Zone 7 - 12

  • From Monrovia's Dan Hinkley Collection is this selected form of the Giant Honey Bush with evergreen, powdery blue, highly textural foliage along stems to eight feet. In late spring, spikes of deep burgundy, nectar rich flowers will attract numerous bird species to the garden. This represents one of the hardiest clones of this species, appropriate in Zones 7 and higher. Prune hard after flowering to rejuvenate from the base. Full sun and sharp-draining soils. Plant the crown three inches below grade to increase general hardiness in colder climates. 

Fairy Magnolia™ Blush
Michelia x 'MicJUR01' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 8 - 11

  • Bred by renowned New Zealand breeder Mark Jury, Fairy Magnolia Blush is an upright, bushy shrub, reaching 10 to 13 feet high and 8 to 10 feet wide. With masses of blushed lilac-pink flowers blooming late winter to mid-spring, it is excellent as a specimen plant or hedge plant, to take advantage of its naturally compact habit. Position near doorways or under windows to enjoy the fragrant blooms. Partial sun to dappled shade. 

Windcliff Pachysandra
Pachysandra axillaris 'Windcliff'
USDA Zone 8 - 10

  • Collected by Dan Hinkley on LongShou Shan in Sichuan Province in the summer of 2006, this rarely encountered species of Pachysandra offers distinctive evergreen foliage and noticeably fragrant white flowers in early spring, repeating again in autumn. An ideal and unique groundcover, just four to six inches high, for shade or sun in Zones 8 - 10. A fantastic addition to Monrovia's Dan Hinkley Collection.

Pink Double Dandy Itoh Peony
Paeonia (Itoh) x 'Pink Double Dandy'
USDA Zone 4 - 8

  • The large, semi-double to double flower measures up to six inches and is held on strong stems above a compact mound of 24 to 30 inches tall and wide, dark green foliage. As the flower matures, the dark lavender pink petals slowly fade to a soft pink, revealing a cluster of yellow stamens in its center. The flower is lightly fragrant. Prefers full sun to dappled shade. Hybridized by Don Smith, a leading Itoh Peony breeder. 

Yellow Doodle Dandy Itoh Peony

Paeonia (Itoh) x 'Yellow Doodle Dandy'
USDA Zone 4 - 8

  • The large, double flower, measuring seven to eight inches, is spectacular: masses of clear yellow petals form a perfect flower with a light and very pleasant fragrance. Blooms are held on strong stems just above a compact mound of dark green, trouble-free foliage. Plant is very hardy and prefers full sun to dappled shade. Excellent dark green foliage, it lasts well into autumn. Ideal for cut flowers. Hybridized by Don Smith, a leading Itoh Peony breeder. 

Charisma® Nuttall Oak
Quercus nuttallii 'MonPow e'
USDA Zone 5 - 9

  • This native tree with outstanding maroon to chocolate-colored foliage and stems was discovered by Monrovia Craftsman Marty Powe. New spring growth remains well into summer before turning a deep green color. Branching habit is somewhat open with the deeply lobed foliage exhibiting striking red fall color. This shade tree grows well in acid or poorly drained soils and requires minimal pruning. Full sun. Deciduous. Moderate growth to 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide.

Southern Moon™ Yedda Hawthorn
Rhaphiolepsis umbellata 'Rutrhaph1' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 7 - 10

  • A significantly improved selection from noted plantsman Dr. John Ruter with the University of Georgia. Close to a decade of evaluation has shown this plant to exhibit exceptional disease resistance combined with a compact, self-mounding habit remaining just four to five feet tall, unlike Rhaphiolepsis umbellata 'Minor'. Dark green, glossy foliage and wavy margins add interest. Abundant white flower display appears in spring prior to emerging new growth. Excellent for foundation plantings. Southern Moon is a great choice for anyone seeking an easy-care flowering hedge that will certainly turn heads.

Heatwave™ Blast Sage
Salvia greggi 'Blast' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 6 - 9

  • A new range of Salvias, aptly dubbed the 'Heatwave' series, were recently introduced 'down under" to address the dry climate faced by Australian gardeners. Bred for its compact, rounded habit and disease resistance, this is a must for drought tolerant gardens. Salmon pink flowers cover the fast growing, compact plant and last from spring until frost. Full sun, prefers well-draining soil; 30 inches tall by 36 inches wide. 

Heatwave™ Glimmer Sage
Salvia greggi 'Glimmer' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 6 - 9

  • This lovely cream selection has a longer bloom time and quickly reblooms from spring until frost; flowering may be year round in mild climates. Bred for compact, rounded habit and disease resistance, this is a must for drought tolerant gardens, perennial borders and patio containers. Full sun, prefers well-draining soil. Fast growing, rounded, compact plant; 30 inches tall by 36 inches wide. 

Heatwave™ Glitter Sage
Salvia greggi 'Glitter' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 6 - 9

  • Vibrant lilac blooms show f rom spring to fall on this compact Salvia hybrid. Bred for sun-fast, long-lasting blooms, compact size and drought tolerance, this Salvia deserves a prominent location in a garden setting. Kept lightly clipped, they can be utilized as a low informal hedge or as a single specimen in a perennial border or container garden. Full sun, prefers well-draining soil. Fast growing, rounded, compact plant; 30 inches tall by 36 inches wide.

Heatwave™ Sparkle Sage
Salvia greggi 'Sparkle' P.P.A.F.
USDA Zone 6 - 9

  • Hot pink blooms sparkle in the landscape. A beautiful sun-fast bloomer that shines from early spring to late fall. Bred for its compact size and drought tolerance, this Salvia is a must. Full sun, prefers well-draining soil; 30 inches tall by 36 inches wide. NOTE: High resolution images are available.