Well, it’s the start of another season, and with the arrival of March, the winter that seemed like it was never going to get here is officially over in just a few short weeks.

With daylight-saving time being moved ahead this year, the extra light has many of us anxiously awaiting nicer weather to get outside and get a jump on the season.

March can be a guessing game in the garden. Will it warm up? Will it stay warm? Are we still going to get snow? About the only thing you can count on in March is a few more weeks of uncertainty.

So while we are all still waiting these last few weeks of winter out, let’s take a look at some exciting new varieties of plants for the 2007 season.

Let’s start with the All-American selection (AAS)

winners.

Celosia Fresh Look Gold: This new variety of celosia has bright golden plumes that shine with rich color all summer. Unlike other celosias, Fresh Look Gold doesn’t require deadheading because its plumes don’t turn brown with age. This variety prefers moist, well-drained soil and does great in full sun and summer heat. At only 12 inches tall, this celosia is one of the best annuals for seasonlong performance.

Vinca Pacifica Burgundy Halo: With deep burgundy petals and contrasting white centers, this new vinca is extra vibrant. It has 2-inch flowers that hold up fine during hot dry summers. Its sturdy compact habit means it works well in containers. It grows 10-14 inches in height and 10-12 inches wide. Prefers average soil and looks great with other annuals such as marigolds, zinnias and geraniums.

Petunia Opera Supreme Pink Morn: This trailing petunia has 2½-inch iridescent pink flowers with white centers and yellow throats. It stretches to 3 feet with continuous flowering and requires no deadheading. This petunia is the perfect addition to any hanging basket in full sun. It can also be used as a ground cover, getting only 3-4 inches tall and spreading up to 3 feet. Just make sure the soil is well-drained.

Pepper Holy Mole: This is the first hybrid of a pasilla-type pepper, the kind used in Mexican mole sauce. It’s a virus-resistant pepper with higher yields than other types. Immature peppers are green and 7-9 inches long and 1½ inches wide. They have a nutty, tangy flavor. If left to mature on the plant, peppers turn a chocolate brown color. Mature peppers can be dried and ground. Plants reach only 3 feet tall, which makes them suitable for container gardening. They are easy to grow in a sunny location and love the summer heat. Holy Mole needs 85 days to mature, so start it indoors this spring and plant it in fertile, well-drained hummus-rich soil.

While not every new plant can be an AAS winner, there are many new plants worth mentioning.

Cauliflower Veronica: This has a citron-green color (which it keeps after cooking) with unique cone-shaped florets. It has a sweeter flavor than white cauliflower and tastes best when heads are young. Cauliflower does best in cool weather with soil rich in organic matter.

Amaranthus Dreadlocks: This is a plant that will get the neighbors talking. Dreadlocks gets its name from the 2-3-foot-long inflorescences that look like oversized deep maroon dreadlocks. It’s a carefree plant that tolerates moderately poor soil, but appreciates water through the hot summer. Plant in midspring in the back of the border since it gets up to 4 feet tall.

Heuchera Midnight Rose: This has black leaves flecked with pink in the spring, but as the season progresses the leaves lighten and the spots expand and change to cream and pink.

Echinacea Raspberry Tart: This is more compact form of coneflower reaching only 18 inches. Raspberry Tart produces raspberry-magenta flowers with large cones and drooping petals. It is fragrant and has a long blooming season. Combine it with sun-loving perennials such as liatris, daylilies or red penstemon.

Weigela My Monet: This new dwarf weigela has white-margined leaves that are almost pink when young. Purplish-pink flowers open in early summer and, because of its size (12-18 inches in height and 24 inches wide), it works well in the perennial border. Because of its great foliage and flower color, this shrub works all season long.

As with all plants, certain ones do better in our area than others. You can also go to your garden center and ask which plants will work best or you can contact Cornell Cooperative Extension in your county. The Web sites are www.cce.cornell.edu/orange,/sullivan and /ulster.

There are a few other things to take care of while it’s still too early to get outside.

Bring the lawn mower in for a tuneup and get the blades sharpened to beat the rush.

Start your favorite seeds or plan out your gardens for this coming season.

Inspect your garden tools and clean up any rust. Check for cracks in shovel handles.

Make a trip to your garden center and see what is going on for the coming season.

Dan Daly is a plant fanatic who has been gardening since childhood. With more than 10 years in the business, he’s ready to answer all your gardening questions. E-mail him at askdan@th-record.com or send to Ask Dan, the Times Herald-Record, 40 Mulberry St., Middletown 10940.

source : www.recordonline.com