Perennials from First Editions

October 5, 2024

For anyone passionate about gardening, it's always so rewarding to plant new specimens and watch them flourish.

Recently, I received a large delivery from First Editions Shrubs and Trees, a brand of premium evergreens and perennials from the fifth-generation, family and brand owner Bailey Nurseries in St. Paul, Minnesota. These plants will be added to existing gardens and borders around my farm - hydrangeas, phlox, Physocarpus, cotoneaster, arborvitae, and azaleas.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: As a serious and curious gardener, I am always looking for ways to add more beauty and texture to all my garden beds.

: I was so excited when this delivery of plants arrived at my farm. Right away, the plants are placed in organized rows according to type so they are easy to see, count, water, feed, and access when it is time to plant.

: Many in this collection are hydrangeas. Hydrangea, commonly named the hortensia, is a genus of more than 70 species of flowering plants native to Asia and the Americas. Hydrangea flowers bloom from early spring to late autumn.

: This is a Berry White Panicle Hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Renba.’ It has strong, upright stems and large cone-shaped flower panicles. The flower color starts white in July then progresses to dark pink, beginning at the bottom and developing up to the top of the panicle.

: Strawberry Sundae is also a panicle hydrangea. This one is perfect in small hedges or as part of mass plantings. The flowers emerge creamy white in midsummer and change to pink as night temperatures cool down.

: The Vanilla Strawberry™ Panicle Hydrangea features enormous flower heads that are held upright – first white, then pink, then red in later fall.

: And new from First Editions is the FlowerFull Smooth Hydrangea. It was nice to see them all in bloom when they arrived at the farm.

: Born in a tight cluster, the blossoms of FlowerFull are initially green and open to a creamy white.

: Its leaves are more rounded, slightly heart shaped with a matte surface.

: Phlox is a hardy, long-lived perennial that blooms from mid-summer to early fall. I grow a lot of phlox in my flower garden. This Bubblegum Pink Phlox is fragrant with bright blossoms accentuated with dark pink eyes.

: Cotton Candy Phlox, Phlox paniculata ‘Ditomfav,’ is also bright pink.

: This variety has soft lavender-pink flowers with cotton candy centers that bloom in the summer. Phlox is mildew resistant, compact, and wildly floriferous.

: Physocarpus, commonly called ninebark, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to North America and northeastern Asia. Ninebarks are large shrubs that grow to about 10′ tall and wide. They get their common name from the bark, which sheds in reddish-brown strips. This one is Little Devil Ninebark.

: Little Devil Ninebark has an upright spreading habit and fine-textured, dark foliage.

: In comparison, the Spicy Devil Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘ZLENatalie,’ has a fiery combination of orange and yellow leaves that mature to a vibrant reddish-purple and then shows off white-pink flowers in spring.

: Honeycomb Ninebark has large, vibrant, chartreuse leaves that hold their color all season long, even in full sun. In the spring, white flowers provide contrast to the leaves, and in the fall, gold leaves stand out in the garden.

: I grow many berries here at the farm – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, and currants. This addition will ensure even bigger, more interesting harvests. This is Standing Ovation serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’. Serviceberries taste like a blend of strawberry and blueberry with a touch of almond and are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and protein.

: Autumn Inferno™ Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster ‘Bronfire,’ shows clean foliage all season long, and vibrant fall color. It forms small red berries in fall that stay on the branches until birds take them away.

: Many may recognize the foliage of arborvitae. This is Technito arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis ‘BailJohn.’ This plant has attractive dark green color that stays through winter. It grows up to 10 feet tall and five feet wide.

: Lemon Burst® Arborvitae is moderately sized with broadly conical form and tight habit. Yellow new growth keeps its color even in full sun. In cooler temperatures, the foliage takes on interesting orange tones.

: Electric Lights™ Double Pink is a double-flowered form azalea. Pink, fragrant blooms cover the plant in spring and does best in full sun to part shade.