Paul's New Plants

Known botanically as Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler', this new grassy selection is more commonly called Sparkler sedge (figure A). Its white-tinged foliage helps brighten up a shady garden. Hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10, it tolerates temperatures down to about 0 degrees F. While it does best in shade—even full shade—it can tolerate at least a half day of sun provided the soil remains evenly moist. Sparkler sedge grows to about two feet tall and wide, with the foliage branching out from a central point.

'Golden Spirit' smoke tree (figure D) replaces the usual purple foliage of Cotinus with golden leaves. If you leave the plant in the shade for awhile, the foliage will fade. But once planted in a sunny spot, it will go for the gold and slowly grow to about eight feet. 'Golden Spirit' changes colors in the fall: coral, orange and then red. Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8.

Many camellias, the trademark shrub of the south, don't like frosty temperatures. But this new cold-tolerant variety can be grown in USDA Zone 6 (Zone 5 with protection). 'Winter's Snowman' or 'Ice Angels' (figure F) produce white blooms in the middle of winter. Ultimately, this evergreen will reach a height of about 12 feet, but will remain only four to five feet wide.

While this last item isn't a plant, it's a neat addition to any garden: a bamboo trellis (figure H).