Each year the National Garden Bureau selects one annual, one perennial, one bulb crop, one edible and one shrub as our “Year of the” crops. Plants are chosen because they are popular, easy-to-grow, widely adaptable, genetically diverse, and versatile.
This year the bureau has chosen the Garden Bean, the Sunflower, the Hyacinth, the Monrada, and the Hardy Hibiscus.
This Spring, Summer and Fall you will be able to shop for these plants at Prianti to add to your garden collection. Stay tuned for more updates and availability!
The Garden Bean
The Garden Bean
The Garden Bean
There are many species of beans in cultivation around the world, yet it is the common garden bean, Phaseolus vulgaris that takes on celebrity status as National Garden Bureau’s vegetable focus for 2021. The common garden bean is anything but common! Green beans or ‘snap’ beans as they are also referred to come in a variety of flavors, pod shapes, sizes, and a colorful pallet including shades of green, purple, yellow, and speckled bicolors.
The Sunflower
The Garden Bean
The Garden Bean
Sunflowers are one of the most popular genera of flowers to grow in your garden. First-time to experienced gardeners gravitate to these bold, easy to grow flowers. Sunflowers that produce pollen are a great option for gardeners focused on supporting pollinators or for those looking for a lower price point. Many modern sunflower varieties are bred to be male sterile, or pollen-free, to help foster extended vase life and a nice, clean appearance. These also keep your table clean from pollen!
The Hyacinth
The Garden Bean
The Monrada (Bee Balm)
Hyacinths are spring-flowering bulbs that are treasured by gardeners for their heavenly fragrance. Flower lovers began cultivating hyacinths more than 400 years ago. During the 18th century, they were the most popular spring bulbs in the world, and Dutch growers offered more than 2000 named cultivars. Today, there are less than 50 cultivars in commercial production, but the hyacinth’s beauty and sweet perfume are as enchanting as ever.
The Monrada (Bee Balm)
The Monrada (Bee Balm)
The Monrada (Bee Balm)
Monarda is a genus that has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb. As the common name Bee Balm implies, it has also been used to soothe bee stings. Monarda is a member of the mint family and consists of multiple species, most of which are hardy perennials and all of which are native to certain regions of North America. Summertime flowering on all these species is quite attractive to humans and pollinators.
The Hardy Hibiscus
The Monrada (Bee Balm)
The Hardy Hibiscus
Hardy Hibiscus adds a splash of tropical flair to your perennial garden. Fast-growing and fabulous, these plants explode with pinwheel-like flowers the size of dinner plates in late summer. Often confused with their tropical cousins, these plants are actually capable of surviving temps as low as -30° F (-34° C).