Favorite new plants from the 2011 garden catalogs

Hosta 'Empress Wu' -- which at 4-feet-tall is one of... — Hosta 'Empress Wu' -- which at 4-feet-tall is one of the world's largest hostas -- from White Flower Farm. Credit: White Flower Farm

By Jessica Damianojessica.damiano@newsday.comMarch 3, 2011

Who among us hasn't felt a certain giddiness when opening a snow-covered mailbox to find a colorful gardening catalog filled with photos of ripe, red tomatoes, crisp green lettuces and jewel-toned perennials you've never seen before?

I, for one, am not immune to the charms of these midwinter arrivals, as can be evidenced by all the dog-eared corners on my 31-strong stack of this year's beauties. I will, however, exercise restraint, as my garden can't possibly hold (nor my pocketbook bear) all the plants on my wish list.

Of the season's new perennials, I was most intrigued by Echinacea Pomegranate from Heronswood, which looks nothing like the coneflowers growing in my garden; Hosta Empress Wu - which, at 4 feet tall, is the world's largest hosta - from White Flower Farm; and Centaurea Purple Heart - the first bicolor perennial cornflower - from Jung Seeds & Plants. My favorite new annuals are Papaver Swansdown, a poppy available at Select Seeds, and Black Cat petunia, a Burpee exclusive.

I also love the new Lo & Behold Blue Chip butterfly bush from Proven Winners; the miniature Buddleia grows only 24 to 30 inches tall, making it ideal for growing as a low hedge or in a container. Proven Winners' new Bloomerang purple lilac actually reblooms all season long, sending forth a flush of fragrant purple flowers in spring and then another in midsummer that continues until frost. Both are featured in several catalogs and should be available at local garden centers this spring.

On the edibles front, I'm going to grow the Eight Ball Hybrid round zucchini, featured in Harris Seeds, Red Noodle yardlong beans from Territorial Seed Co., Zapotec heirloom tomatoes from The Natural Gardening Co. and Strawberry cabbage lettuce from Comstock Seeds, a real eye-catcher that promises to be "tender, mild and of a high quality." Plus, my usual standbys of Bonnie Plants' Big Boy tomato and the impressively proliferous Bonnie grape tomato, along with the requisite herbs.

A while ago, I asked you to clue me in on your favorite plant and supply sources. Here's a sampling of your submissions.

Erin Reilly, Farmingdale: I love hardyplants.com (952-432-8673), where seeds from the (commercially) rarest of native species are to be found. My other favorite is Dianeseeds.com (online only). Diane sells beautiful landscaping plants, but also edibles - her site is the best I have found for its extensive list of delicious tried-and-true heirloom tomato seeds.

Susan Weber, Babylon: My favorite is Gardener's Supply Co. (gardeners.com, 888-833-1412). For the past few years I have been growing veggies in their two-tiered raised beds. The plants do very well, and I have fewer weeds. This year I am going to add their 3-by-3-foot bed and their cucumber trellis. This way, I can keep the cucumbers separate from the other plants, as they tend to become invasive.

Andrea Backe, Long Beach: My favorite catalog is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds .com, 417-924-8917). I have been ordering seeds for two years and never have been disappointed with the quality of the seeds, plant hardiness or produce.

Maggie Mulroy, Hempstead: My favorite catalog is Gardener's Supply Co.. I always get a little smile on my face when I receive the catalog. The reason it's only a little smile is because I have spent so much money ordering from them that I know my husband will complain if I place another order. I love their spiral supports! It made holding up my long, heavy tomato plants this past summer a total breeze!