Each year we do a feature in our big spring issue introducing folks to a slew of new offerings from plant breeders. But this is not simply a list of plants that we think look interesting. Our standards here at Fine Gardening are higher. We interview breeders, marketers, and the heads of trial gardens across the country to dig deeper into why a particular new plant is worthy of praise. Below, you’ll find nativars that are making their way to garden center shelves in 2022. In some cases, this cadre of perennials and shrubs are naturally occurring cultivars of straight native species. Which new plants are right for you? Read on to find out.

Back to collection

A color breakthrough for a popular perennial

‘Burgundy Blast’ baptisia

Name: Baptisia ‘Burgundy Blast’

Zones: 4–9

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

Nativar range: Central and eastern United States

OK, so this flower color isn’t exactly burgundy, but it certainly is different. The hue is more of a merlot to our eye, but regardless, it’s beautiful and truly unique. You can count on the same ruggedness that comes with most baptisias, including a tolerance of clay soil and drought.

Introduced by: Walters Gardens

The darkest foliage yet for a ninebark

Darkstar^® ninebark

Name: Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Minbla3’

Zones: 4–8

Size: 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

Nativar range: Eastern North America

Many ninebarks have claimed to have black foliage in the past 10 years, but Darkstar^® might be the first one to come close. Even in summer when others fade to a copper-green, this cultivar holds its deep purple tone. A compact habit and a plethora of pinkish blooms in late spring are a bonus.

Introduced by: Monrovia^®

This beautiful clumper won’t get weedy

‘Humility’ ruellia

Name: Ruellia ‘Humility’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 16 inches tall and 3 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Nativar range: Hybrid of two eastern

North American species Found in Alabama as a natural hybrid of two native species (R. humilis and R. strepens), ‘Humility’ is a well-behaved, clumping perennial that is covered with amethyst flowers in early summer. In trials the plants appear to be sterile, so you won’t have to worry about the reseeding that is common with other ruellias. This would make a beautiful, billowy ground cover in any full-sun bed.

Introduced by: Plant Delights Nursery

It’s the sweetest-smelling sweetshrub you’ve ever sniffed

Simply Scentsational^® sweetshrub

Name: Calycanthus floridus ‘SMNCAF’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Nativar range: North America All sweetshrubs, as their name suggests, are fragrant. But this new cultivar is said to be especially potent, smelling like a spicy honeydew melon. The unique flowers are a velvety chocolate color, and the dense growth provides great bird habitat.

Introduced by: Proven Winners^® Color Choice^®

Expect moody fall colors all year long

‘Holy Smoke’ big bluestem

Name: Andropogon gerardii ‘Holy Smoke’

Zones: 4–9

Size: 6 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; tolerates a wide range of soil types

Nativar range: North America

Most gardeners are accustomed to the great fall color that big bluestems sport in autumn, but this new variety embraces those vibrant hues from spring through frost. The silver blades are highlighted with purple and red almost year-round, while the tawny plumes are an added perk in the final weeks of fall. Like all big bluestems, this is one tough cookie, persevering through drought and the poorest soils imaginable.

Introduced by: Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

Same great shrub, now in a bite-size package

Legend of the Small™ fothergilla

Name: Fothergilla × intermedia ‘NCFI1’

Zones: 3–9

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

Nativar range: Hybrid of North American species

A few years back we sang the praises of Legend of the Fall^® fothergilla, and now here’s the petite version of that powerhouse shrub. Does it have the same bottlebrush flowers in spring that are so important for early pollinators? Yes. Does it have incredible fall color? Yes. Will it take over your smaller beds and borders? No.

Introduced by: Proven Winners^® Color Choice^®

Buying tip: Expect to pay a little more for new plants the year they are released. As with the newest model of a car, a newer plant generally means a pricier plant. If you’re watching your wallet, you may want to wait a year.

Gorgeous blooms are just one of its lovely traits

Invincibelle Lace™ smooth hydrangea

Name: Hydrangea arborescens subsp. radiata ‘SMNHRLL’

Zones: 3–8

Size: 4 to 5 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Nativar range: North America

When it comes to hydrangeas, it’s generally all about the blooms. Make no mistake, Invincibelle Lace™ has gorgeous purple-pink blossoms. But it also has strong red stems and brilliant, disease-free green foliage. This is one handsome shrub, with origins in the southeastern United States.

Introduced by: Proven Winners^® Color Choice^®

Get ready for a four-season show

Glitters & Glows^® arrowwood viburnum

Name: Viburnum dentatum var. deamii ‘SMVDLS’ and ‘SMVDBL’

Zones: 4–8b

Size: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

Nativar range: North America

Glossy green foliage in three seasons, scores of white umbel flowers in spring for pollinators, and vibrant blue fruit in fall for the birds are just a few of this offering’s great features. The compact habit and drought resistance are also notable. Oh, and there’s a male and female plant in each pot, so proper pollination isn’t a concern.

Introduced by: Proven Winners^® Color Choice^®

Every time you look, this shrub is changing colors

Kodiak^® Fresh bush honeysuckle

Name: Diervilla × splendens ‘SMNDSS

Zones: 3–8

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to full shade; well-drained soil

Nativar range: Hybrid of two North American species

This beauty is a result of crossing a southeastern U.S. native (D. sessilifolia) and an eastern U.S. native (D. lonicera). As part of a colorful series of plants, Kodiak^® Fresh bush honeysuckle is a compact shrub that has bright chartreuse foliage in spring and summer. In fall the leaves shift to bright orange and red. This shrub is drought tolerant and deer-proof, and butterflies adore the yellow blossoms that persist during the hottest months.

Introduced by: Proven Winners^® Color Choice^®

Back to collection

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon