PARK SEED COMPANY - THE NATIONAL GARDENING BUREAU
If the National Gardening Bureau (NGB) has anything to say about it, 2012 will be an exceptionally colorful, fragrant, and useful one in American gardens!
GardenNews.biz - Jan 07,2012 - PARK SEED COMPANY - THE NATIONAL GARDENING BUREAU
If the National Gardening Bureau (NGB) has anything to say about it, 2012 will be an exceptionally colorful, fragrant, and useful one in American gardens! The NGB, a non-profit organization that promotes gardening, has declared 2012 to be the Year of the Geranium, Herb, and Heuchera.
By "Geranium," the NGB means Pelargonium, the colorful annual that graces gardens, planters, and windowboxes everywhere all summer long. (The perennial Geranium they describe as "hardy Geranium.") Pelargoniums are a large and lovely family, from the exquisite scented-foliage varieties to the brightly flowered types to the elegant trailing ivy-leafs. Some even have patterned foliage that beautifully complements the blooms! All are easy to grow in full sun and any well-drained soil, lasting right up 'til frost (and easy to root from cuttings for next year, if you desire).
2012 is also the year of the Herb, a huge category that includes plants grown for fragrance, flavor, medicinal value, and even dyes. From Strawberry Spinach to Red-leaved Perilla, herbs belong everywhere in the garden. Perennial varieties such as Horseradish should become a permanent part of our veggie patch, pest-fighters such as Calendula should grace the tomatoes with beauty as well as protection, and all the delicious culinary herbs should be well represented in any sunny spot! Mix herbs with your annuals and perennials, in front of your shrubs and among your bulbs, and see what a difference they make to the look, scent, and texture of any display!
And finally, for the first time the NGB has named a perennial of the year: our native Heuchera, often grown more for its large, showy foliage than for its small but profuse bell-shaped blooms. Bold new looks arise every season for Heuchera, but the parent of them all is Palace Purple, now available as seed and still one of the most beautiful! And for hot and humid climates, Pistache is a marvel, with huge, brilliantly colored leaves. Heuchera is a joy for the shade!
Give one or more of the 2012 Plants of the Year a try this season. All are easy to grow and very rewarding. Find out why the NGB decided they were the best for your 2012 garden!
