This Month in the Garden: Feature Flowering Shrub Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'

Feature Flowering Shrub: Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! There's a new hydrangea in town and it is called Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'. I have been testing this Proven Winners cultivar for two years now and it has proven to be cold resistant enough to thrive in a planter on my back patio, while maintaining an abundance of long-lasting blooms on a compact plant. 

Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band' Springtime/Summer

Growing to a mature size of just 2.6 feet tall by wide, this newer cultivar is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and combines the best features of mophead flowers, displaying large colorful pink, blue or purple flowers (pink in alkaline soil, blue in acidic soil and purple in neutral soil) on a stronger plant that better withstands winter temperatures and reblooms from late spring until frost. 

Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band' Late Summer

For best performance, plant Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band' in a moist well-drained soil in partial shade. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for this plant. This cultivar blooms on both old and new wood and may be shaped to keep more compact; however, all mophead hydrangea are best not to be pruned, as it can have a negative effect on the number of blooms. It is best to only prune out dead or damaged branches once the plant pushes out new growth in spring. To keep your plants healthy and to encourage more robust blooms, apply a slow-release fertilizer in early and late spring. Adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plant will help to conserve moisture and serve as protection from severe cold during the winter months.

Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band' Autumn

The default color for most mophead hydrangea is pink in a neutral soil (pH 7.0) and higher and will turn towards blue in a more acidic soil containing aluminum sulfate. In a soil with a pH of 6.5 or under, a bluer tone is present. I presently have my hydrangea in a neutral potting soil and am loving blooms that start off as a vibrant pink in springtime, then slowly change to deeper tones of pinkish red to welcome in fall.

Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band' Autumn

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for October and if you are looking for a new compact, long blooming hydrangea, this one is a winner in my zone 7a garden! 

Let's Dance Hydrangea Series Size Chart (Photo Credit: Proven Winners)

Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! For more information on Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band', visit the Proven Winners website. Until we meet again...be well, and as always...Happy Gardening!

 For gardening inspiration and design tips visit: My Author Page and Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow! -Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden. 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2022. All rights reserved. 

Feature Shrub: Hydrangea Fire Light Tidbit-Compact, Long-Blooming and Fabulous!

This Month in the Garden

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! There's a new hydrangea in town and it's the tiniest panicle hydrangea yet! Developed by the growers at Proven Winners Color Choice Shrubs, this new dwarf cultivar, Hydrangea, Fire Light Tidbit, reaches a size of just 2-3' tall by wide! Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, 'Fire Light Tidbit' produces large, lush panicles of white mophead flowers from mid summer to fall on a compact plant that can fit into the smallest of spaces!

Hydrangea Fire Light Tidbit Mid-Summer

Initially, lime green blooms mature and turn to white. As the summer progresses, blooms begin to develop bright pinkish-red tones near the end of August, which keep the interest coming right on up until the first frost.

Hydrangea Fire Light Tidbit Late Summer (Photo Credit: Proven Winners Color Choice Shrubs)

Another special attribute is that this new cultivar produces an array of colorful autumn foliage, an unusual trait in panicle hydrangeas. Stems are sturdy, creating a neat, mounded shrub that's a perfect fit in foundation plantings, flower gardens, landscape borders and even containers!

Hydrangea Fire Light Tidbit Fall Foliage (Photo Credit: Proven Winners Color Choice Shrubs)

PLANTING & MAINTENANCE: Plant this cultivar in full sun to part shade in a moderately moist, well-drained soil. Blooms of the upcoming season form on new wood, so pruning can be performed by cutting back the main branches by one-third in late winter or early spring. Pruning can also be performed in late fall, once the plant has gone completely dormant. To encourage robust blooms and a healthy plant, it is recommended to feed your hydrangea in early spring using a slow release granular fertilizer. 

Hydrangea Size Comparison Chart (Photo Credit: Proven Winners Color Choice Shrubs)

I have this hydrangea growing in my garden and it was love at first sight! As a designer, I am always looking for new cultivars that are compact, colorful and low maintenance, and this shrub has it all.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for September. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! (Linking with: Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Ruby Tuesday and Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up.

 My Author Page and Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening By Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

See more about Hydrangea Fire Light Tidbit on You Tube!

As Always...Happy Gardening! 😊

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2021. All rights reserved.

This Month in the Garden: New Edibles for 2020 from the Growers at Proven Winners!

THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! Proven Winners has a new line of edibles with some outstanding introductions for 2020. I've had the honor of testing them out in my garden this past summer and they are each deserving of recognition. Be sure to check them out in this spring's market!

Goodhearted Tempting Tomatoes 

This compact cherry-sized tomato is perfectly sized for growing in containers and hanging baskets and produces a hearty harvest of juicy semi-sweet fruit in July-August. The almost heart-shaped appearance of this tomato makes it attractive so it can serve as an ornamental and edible at the same time! This new variety will produce tomatoes for an extended period of time and thrive in heat and humidity. Fruit ripens in approximately 65 to 72 days. Plant in full sun and keep well watered. Height 8-12 ", Spread 12-18"

Fire Away Hot and Heavy Peppers

Fire Away Hot and Heavy is the first introduction of hot pepper by Proven Winners. This sweet and spicy snack pepper is compact enough to grow in a container and provides a sweet and spicy punch with a heat level that is slightly higher than a jalapeno! Fruits start off green and mature to yellow and then to bright red, but can be picked at any stage. Fruiting occurs approximately 65-72 days after planting, producing peppers that are approximately 3 inches in length. Plant in full sun and keep well watered. Height 16-24", Spread 12-18" 

Berried Treasure Strawberry (Introduced 2019)

This strawberry is truly a treasure which is both ornamental and functional. Lovely double pinkish-red flowers are followed by tasty fruits that keep going all summer long. The plant is compact enough to be grown in either a small garden or container and is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. I have been enjoying this beauty for its second year in the garden and it just keep getting better! Plant in full sun and provide moderate watering. Height 12-16", Spread 18-24"

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for May. Be sure to check out the Proven Winners website and stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Linking with:  Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal, Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.

For more gardening information...

Visit my Author Page/Purchase My Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.

This Month in The Garden: New Introductions for 2020 from the Growers at Proven Winners!

This Month in the Garden: New Plants for 2020!

Welcome to This Month in the Garden for September! Today's post will introduce you to some of the spectacular additions that will be joining the Proven Winners family of plants for 2020! I have had the pleasure of trying them out in my own garden this past summer and look forward to their availability on the market for next year. Come along and see what's new!

Magic Show 'Enchanted Indigo' Verbena

Hardiness Zones 4-8 (Perennial)

Exposure: Partial to Full Sun

Bloom Season: Summer-Fall

Mature Size: 16-18 inches

Magic Show 'Enchanted Indigo' Verbena impressed me from the start with its spikes of violet-blue blooms that last throughout summer with just a little bit of deadheading. The compact size makes its perfect for the front of a perennial border. I am looking forward to seeing this one in the garden year after year.

 Bright Lights Berry Rose African Daisy Osteospermum

Hardiness Zones 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 8-12 inches

This new annual, which is a hybrid form of Osteospermum, produces beautiful daisy-like, berry-pink blooms that hold up well in the heat of the summer. I would highly recommend this beauty! It just keeps on blooming!

 Superbena Sparkling Amethyst Verbena

Hardiness Zones 8-11 (Annual)

Exposure: Partial to Full Sun

Bloom Season: Spring-Fall

Mature Size: 6-12 inches

This Superbena Sparkling Amethyst Verbena is a winner hands down with its robust profusion of amethyst and while blooms that quickly form an 18-30" clump. This annual is self-cleaning and does not require any maintenance to keep it going all summer long and into fall. It is also heat tolerant, resistant to powdery mildew and is also known to be "deer resistant". This one is a keeper!

Sunstar Pink Egyptian Star Flower Pentas lanceolata

Hardiness Zones: 11 (Annual)

Exposure: Partial to Full Sun

Bloom Season: Spring-Fall

Mature Size: 18-22 inches

Sunstar Pink Egyptian Star Flower Pentas lanceolata is an eye-catcher with its display of large light pink star-shaped flowers that have a tropical feel. This robust plant with its broad dark green foliage and prolific blooms has looked beautiful and produced blooms all summer long and into fall. It has been a welcomed addition to the garden and I look forward to adding it again next spring.

Supertunia Vista Snowdrift Petunia

Hardiness Zones: 10-11 (Annual)

Exposure: Full Sun

Bloom Season: Spring-Fall

Mature Size: 12-24 inches

Supertunia Vista Snowdrift Petunia is a prolific bloomer displaying beautiful snow-white blooms that keep performing all summer long in full sun. It has continuous vigor without deadheading and is a pleasure to have in the garden border. I would highly recommend this annual as part of your garden next year.

 Superbells Double Blue (Hybrid Calibrachoa)

Hardiness Zones 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Frost
Mature Size: 6-12 inches high by 12-24 inches wide

This easy care plant is best grown in an area of good drainage, such as in a raised garden border in an area of full to partial sun. Lilac-blue double blooms that resemble miniature rose buds adorn the plant from spring until the first frost on cascading branches. Blooms are continuous throughout summer with no deadheading needed! 

Suncredible Yellow Helianthus

This unique new sunflower produces numerous blooms on a branched bush-like habit, unlike traditional sunflowers. The blooms are approximately 4 inches across and do not need to be deadheaded to continue blooming,  but can be groomed for tidiness. This 24-42" tall by 20-32" wide plant blooms several weeks longer than similar sunflowers and is great for attracting pollinators to the garden. Blooms continue all season and well into the fall. I am really enjoying this new addition to the Proven Winners collection.

Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (Annual)

Exposure: Full Sun

Bloom Season: Planting-Frost 

Mature Size: 24-42 inches tall  by 20-32" wide

Rockin Blue Suede Shoes Salvia

Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (Annual)

Exposure: Part-Full Sun

Bloom Season: Spring-Frost 

Mature Size: 30-40 inches tall  by 24-30" wide

This striking new salvia is excellent for pollinator gardens and is a major attraction for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Blue blooms with darker calyxes add an extra pop of color and contrast on this non-stop bloomer. This addition makes a taller statement in the back of a border and will provide enjoyment all summer long! It just keeps getting better and better!

 Proven Winners Goldilocks Rocks

Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 18-14 inches

Goldilocks Rocks is a heat and drought tolerant plant that has been performing well in my southern exposure garden. Its vibrant golden-yellow blooms continue throughout spring, summer and into fall and are an attraction for pollinators. Its compact size makes this annual an excellent addition to the front of a sunny garden border.

Diamond Snow Euphorbia

Hardiness Zones: 10-11 (Annual)

Exposure: Full-Partial Sun

Bloom Season: Spring-Fall

Mature Size: 12-18 inches

Voted annual of the year for 2020, this variety replaces Diamond Delight with the vigor of Diamond Frost. This easy to grow plant resembles snowflakes with its bright white delicate blooms that last all summer and into fall. 'Diamond Snow' is heat and drought tolerant and also deer resistant and makes a lovely addition to the garden. Visitors to the garden have regularly admired this one!

Proven Winners Collection New Plants for 2020

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for September. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Also be sure to check out these new introductions from the growers at Proven Winners! Linking with:  Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal, Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.

For more gardening information and tips...Visit My Author Page/Purchase My Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations and my latest...

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.

This Month in the Garden: Proven Winners Harvest Edibles New for 2019-Better Than Ever!

Proven Winners Harvest Edible Collection New for 2019

Proven Winners has a new line of edibles coming out in 2019, which are a must have! The first, 'Garden Gem' Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), is one of the most productive and delicious tomatoes I have ever experienced. Developed by an accomplished scientist, this semi-determinate, snack-size tomato has been a breakthrough. It was developed to have a traditional taste, with modern disease resistance and high fruit yield. The plants produce a firm, juicy fruit with the sweetness of a cherry tomato at a size equivalent to that of a plum-tomato. This cultivar will continue to produce tomatoes for the entire season, while thriving in both heat and humidity. Fruit ripens in about 55 days.

Garden Gem' Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Photo By Proven Winners

TIPS: While this variety will grow to be a large plant (30-42") in the landscape, when grown in a container they will maintain a compact size, while producing an endless supply of fruit. I would recommend at least a twelve-inch container with drainage holes per plant, using either a cage or stakes to keep the plant upright. Grow in full sun in a well-drained soil and do not allow the plant to dry out. During the heat of summer, I would recommend watering daily. Apply a well-balanced fertilizer regularly.

Next is Strawberry 'Berried Treasure' (Red Fragaria ananassa). This new cultivar of strawberry is highly ornamental with a more compact appearance, while producing tasty fruit. Plants grow to a height and width of approximately 12-16 inches tall by 18-24 inches wide and should be grown in full sun. The semi-double red flowers that cover the plant are attractive and will add a nice touch to the garden. 'Berried Treasure' can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 as either a container plant or in the garden. I enjoyed the lovely flowers on this cultivar as much as the fruit!

Strawberry Berried Treasure(Red Fragaria ananassa) Photo by Proven Winners

TIPS: To keep your 'Berried Treasure' Strawberries looking their best, it is recommended to remove spent flowers. Soil should be kept evenly moist and a regular fertilization program will produce the most prolific crop.

The third new edible I found to be a hit is Basil 'Amazel' (Ocimum hybrid) with its aromatic leaves and excellent flavor. Unlike most Basil, which are susceptible to downy mildew, 'Amazel' is the first Italian sweet basil that has excellent resistance. Amazel is seed sterile variety that continues to produce leaves and shoots even after flower initiation, keeping it going for the entire season. Plants grow to approximately 20-36 inches high by 12-20 inches wide and can be grown in containers or in the garden. I found this variety to be more prolific, hardier and longer lasting.

Basil 'Amazel' (Ocimum hybrid) Photo by Proven Winners

TIPS: For best flavor and leaf production, grow Basil in full sun and keep moderately moist. Harvest or pinch back regularly to keep full and promote fresh tender growth. Harvest sprays of leaves by cutting stems just above two new sprouting lateral branches.

For more information and purchase, visit the Proven Winners website for a huge selection of perennials, annuals, edibles and shrubs. Be on the look out for these new selections in 2019!

Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,©Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.