COOL NEW PLANTS - SPRING 2011 NZ GARDENER

Dahlia Dream Seeker - bred by New Zealand's own Dr Keith Hammett, 'Dream Seeker' is one of the very first collerette dahlias that has dark foliage, which gives the plant year-round interest and, when in flower, it sets off the burnt orange and pink blooms.

Dahlia Mystic Enchantment - also from Dr Keith Hammett, Mystic dahlias are single.  'Mystic Enchantment' has that great dark foliage and fire engine red blooms with a dark centre.  With deadheading it'll bloom from spring until autumn.  Bee love it too.

Petunia Blueberry Crush - the latest in the cupake series of petunias (following last year's Raspberry Blast), 'Blueberry Crush' is blue-purple with a violet throat.  This petunia as proved ridiculously vigorous and it's covered in flowers for month on end.

Calipetites - this series of ridiculously dainty new dwarf hybrid calibrachoas (the Calipetite series includes red, blue, yellow, rose and white flower varieties),  These are stunning compact for small spaces and flower prolifically from spring right through to autumn.

SunPatiens - this is new range of hybrid impatiens that you can plant in the sun as well as the shade.  They're covered in large, showy, brilliantly coloured flowers from spring to the first frosts.

Look out for these beauties coming to garden centres near you soon!