Hydrangea aborescens 'Invincibelle Spirit'

With so many people bothering me about the new 'Incrediball' hydrangea at work I never thought to check what else was coming down the line in the world of hydrangeas. Then today as I'm counting the stock coming off the truck... wait? Is that a pink H. aborescens? I haven't even seen 'Incrediball' and already I like this better.



Hydrangea aborescens 'Incredibelle Spirit'

Yes, we got in about 20 of these plants and I'm really excited about them. Main highlights are (basically) - pink (regardless of pH), the same shade tolerance of other H. aborescens cultivars, blooms on new growth like 'Annabelle' so more reliable than H. macrophylla cultivars (some people have problems with the re-bloomers too... or want pink under a pine tree etc - this will solve their problems), and that portion of sales from 'Invincibelle Spirit' will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Athyrium 'Burgundy Lace'

I just got this and I'm super happy about it. I've been growing 'Ghost' in a bed I landscaped which has been growing well in shade with even moisture so I assume this will need the same. Seems to be a fairly easy fern and very attractive ('Ghost' is perfect for really dark areas because the light fronds stand out amazingly well, 'Burgundy Lace' seems like a great option for getting red into a shade garden without resorting to Coral Bells - which I have no problem with but sometimes you need choices!). Should reach about a foot or so all around. It'll be in good soil when it gets in the ground because I'd gotten my soil perfect for my hardy ground orchid... which then vanished without a trace... so it should do well as long as I keep it watered.



Athyrium 'Burgundy Lace'

Red on the fronds varies from almost fully red to little to none giving the plant an interesting multicoloured look - I suspect the newer leaves are more red fading with age? Will have to wait until next spring to confirm.

Roses

Two new roses this year:



Florabunda Rose 'Sexy Rexy'


Shrub Rose 'Yellow Jacket'

We'll see how these work out. I haven't tried too many roses, my yard is very shady (not to mention small) and the landscaping work I've been doing hasn't made any high maintenance shrubs or perennials practical (upcoming Hydrangea post will cover one moderate maintenance shrub that I grow for the leaves - it's a zone 6 and will grow and flower in a sheltered spot in zone 5 but in an exposed spot like I have it it will likely only just survive by dying back and coming up from the roots but I'm getting off topic) though I've wanted one or two around for a while now. on top of these two new roses I'm also growing a red carpet rose which is doing extremely well without any work at all (I wish I still had the tag!) likely because it's sheltered and gets a good deep snow cover that sticks around all winter.


Red Carpet Rose

I do not claim to be any sort of rose expert but I'm hoping these work out as well as my carpet rose and that I'll find myself with enough sun and enough space to get to know these a little better someday. Next post will likely cover a more shade tolerant plant so I'll have a little more to say.