Of Greatest Interest:
'Red Satin', for instance. 'Big Bang Full Moon'... 'Ruby Frost'... 'Garnet'...
Crinum lily 'Bradley'
(Or any others not already in the garden.)
Achillea
'Moonshine', 'Paprika', 'Oertel's Rose', 'Saucy Seduction'. 'Coronation Gold' gets up to a yard tall and wide, but doesn't push (reportedly).
Canna 'Australia'
Daylilies
Particularly reblooming varieties. I like all the colors, but at the moment I'm really interested in the white or near-white types, because I only have one with white blooms.
Louisiana Iris
We area already enjoying a few varieties, but there are many other cultivars available, in a rainbow of colors.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Different varieties from the "plain" red and yellow I've already grown. Examples: 'Tokajer', 'Goblin', 'Arizona Apricot', 'Amber Wheels', and/or 'Arizona Red Shades'. They may not (or just flat-out won't?) come true from seed, but seeds can be purchased-- and they might come back next spring (short-lived perennials).
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Different varieties from the "plain" red and yellow I've already grown. Examples: 'Tokajer', 'Goblin', 'Arizona Apricot', 'Amber Wheels', and/or 'Arizona Red Shades'. They may not (or just flat-out won't?) come true from seed, but seeds can be purchased-- and they might come back next spring (short-lived perennials).
Either of these seem like interesting additions to the garden. They're tall black-eyed susans with a different look from the usual ones, though all three are yellow.
Sedum
Honeysuckle
I'm not sure what variety I want, but something non-invasive. I love the smell of honeysuckle, but the one that grows wild around here is too much of a pest to invite into the garden. However, I'm reading that the pretty-colored ones have no discernible scent... So they'd be for looks (and attracting hummingbirds and butterflies) alone.
Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans. I had some of this, years ago, from Mom. It eventually dwindled away to nothing, but it's supposed to be hardy-- and I think I'm a little better at keeping plants alive these days-- so I'd like to try it again, at some point. I love the purple-bronzy leaves.
Trailing Foam Flower
Tiarella. There are a number of varieties with different colors or flowers and foliage. I'm not sure if some are better suited for our climate than others... In addition to flowers, the foliage of this rapidly-spreading groundcover (or basket plant) provides a long season of visual interest.
'Bath's Pink' Dianthus (Cheddar Pink)
Dianthus gratianopolitanus. Perennial. Supposed to tolerate high heat and humidity. Can be grown from seed.
'Black and Blue' Sage (Blue Anise Sage, Brazilian Sage)
Salvia guaranitica. Perennial. Long bloom season. Can be invasive in some places, so might be best to give it plenty of room. Maybe give it afternoon shade to protect from the worst heat. Scented foliage and flowers that some find stinky, but hummingbirds love it. Might be interesting... But if it's truly smelly, no.
Hyacinth Bean Vine
Lablab purpureus. Annual sturdy vine. Purplish leaves, purple flowers with pleasant scent, attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Decorative purple bean pods are poisonous when raw, but apparently the beans are edible if cooked (not that I'd be tempted). Can self-sow. Full sun recommended, but some say that in warmer climates morning sun is best, with some shade in the afternoon. I might need to grow it outside the fenced yard, just in case the dogs might be tempted to eat the pods...
Petite Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Flutterby Petite 'Tutti Fruitti Pink'. Blooms spring to late summer. Stays fairly compact. Scented foliage. Butterfly magnet. Non-invasive. (Some of the other sterile, compact butterfly bushes are also interesting, but I'm not sure if any others have the added allure of scented foliage... Would like to sniff-test to see if I like the fragrance.)
Possibly Interesting:
(but not the top of the wish list, at the moment...)
'Sunrise Serenade' morning glory
An unusual version of the old favorite annual flowering vine. The blooms are double and "ruffly"/"shredded". In some photos, they remind me of a climbing rose-- the flowers, that is. The foliage is definitely morning glory heart-shaped leaves, but I'd be interested in giving these a try, someday. Particularly if they come true from seed. Some note that it doesn't climb as well as most morning glories, so it may need some training/tying by hand.
Sweetshrub
Calycanthus. There are multiple varieties: Aphrodite, Floridus, etc. It's supposed to have a pleasant fragrance, so it might be an interesting addition to the garden. If buying the species "floridus", the scent can vary greatly from plant to plant, so it's best to buy when blooming and do a sniff test.
Taiwan Cherry
Dawn Redwood 'Gold Rush'
(Metasequoia glyptostroboides.) A tall (70-100 ft.) deciduous conifer with foliage that resembles bald cypress but stays a pale green/yellow-green shade until it changes to a bright orange for fall. Grows faster than bald cypress, and taller. No knees. Not sure how hardy it is here. It's rated up to 8b, which is where we are, but I've read that it doesn't like extreme cold, heat, or drought. The heat might be an issue. It tolerates wet soil (though it prefers "moist, well-drained") and may do better in clay than sandy loam. If I found one cheap enough, I'd be tempted to try it. This same cultivar is sometimes known as 'Ogon' or "Goldrush'.
Trailing Foam Flower
Tiarella. There are a number of varieties with different colors or flowers and foliage. I'm not sure if some are better suited for our climate than others... In addition to flowers, the foliage of this rapidly-spreading groundcover (or basket plant) provides a long season of visual interest.
'Bath's Pink' Dianthus (Cheddar Pink)
Dianthus gratianopolitanus. Perennial. Supposed to tolerate high heat and humidity. Can be grown from seed.
'Black and Blue' Sage (Blue Anise Sage, Brazilian Sage)
Salvia guaranitica. Perennial. Long bloom season. Can be invasive in some places, so might be best to give it plenty of room. Maybe give it afternoon shade to protect from the worst heat. Scented foliage and flowers that some find stinky, but hummingbirds love it. Might be interesting... But if it's truly smelly, no.
Hyacinth Bean Vine
Lablab purpureus. Annual sturdy vine. Purplish leaves, purple flowers with pleasant scent, attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Decorative purple bean pods are poisonous when raw, but apparently the beans are edible if cooked (not that I'd be tempted). Can self-sow. Full sun recommended, but some say that in warmer climates morning sun is best, with some shade in the afternoon. I might need to grow it outside the fenced yard, just in case the dogs might be tempted to eat the pods...
Petite Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Flutterby Petite 'Tutti Fruitti Pink'. Blooms spring to late summer. Stays fairly compact. Scented foliage. Butterfly magnet. Non-invasive. (Some of the other sterile, compact butterfly bushes are also interesting, but I'm not sure if any others have the added allure of scented foliage... Would like to sniff-test to see if I like the fragrance.)
Possibly Interesting:
(but not the top of the wish list, at the moment...)
'Sunrise Serenade' morning glory
An unusual version of the old favorite annual flowering vine. The blooms are double and "ruffly"/"shredded". In some photos, they remind me of a climbing rose-- the flowers, that is. The foliage is definitely morning glory heart-shaped leaves, but I'd be interested in giving these a try, someday. Particularly if they come true from seed. Some note that it doesn't climb as well as most morning glories, so it may need some training/tying by hand.
Sweetshrub
Calycanthus. There are multiple varieties: Aphrodite, Floridus, etc. It's supposed to have a pleasant fragrance, so it might be an interesting addition to the garden. If buying the species "floridus", the scent can vary greatly from plant to plant, so it's best to buy when blooming and do a sniff test.
Taiwan Cherry
Dawn Redwood 'Gold Rush'
(Metasequoia glyptostroboides.) A tall (70-100 ft.) deciduous conifer with foliage that resembles bald cypress but stays a pale green/yellow-green shade until it changes to a bright orange for fall. Grows faster than bald cypress, and taller. No knees. Not sure how hardy it is here. It's rated up to 8b, which is where we are, but I've read that it doesn't like extreme cold, heat, or drought. The heat might be an issue. It tolerates wet soil (though it prefers "moist, well-drained") and may do better in clay than sandy loam. If I found one cheap enough, I'd be tempted to try it. This same cultivar is sometimes known as 'Ogon' or "Goldrush'.
