Hosta ‘Chicago Blues’
Every year, as we pore over plant catalogs and study offerings from our trusted growers, we find ourselves imagining what will feel fresh and exciting in your gardens for the year ahead. We want our selections to provide plants that not only have a strong garden performance, but that also have that collector-worthy detail or extra little spark that makes you say, “I have to find a place for this.”
In the Shade Garden
There’s something especially satisfying about a shade garden that feels layered and textural—where blues sit next to golds, smooth leaves contrast with corrugated ones, and every turn offers a subtle surprise. This year’s new hostas help create exactly that feeling.
Deep, saturated blues always anchor a planting, and ‘Chicago Blues’ does it beautifully. A thick, waxy coating in spring gives off a purple hue, and the leaves are held on purple petioles. Its rich blue coloration holds well throughout the season. The prickly looking foliage of ‘Briar Patch’ add bold texture, the kind you can’t help but reach out and touch. This dense, small mound brings depth and structure with its ruffled and pointed blue leaves.
For those who appreciate nuance, ‘Jane’s Blush’ is a quiet standout. In spring, blue-green leaves are blushed with purple in the centers shortly after emerging. While the blush fades as summer arrives, that fleeting but lovely detail feels almost secretive, as though it’s meant for gardeners who take the time to notice. The next couple hostas round out the collection with beautiful color and variegation. ‘Combined Elegance’ is a large specimen with wavy edges and unique color shades of yellow and chartreuse. ‘Chance Encounter’ is a medium hosta with beautiful heart-shaped powdery blue leaves and wide margins that emerge apple green and mature to gold.
Hosta ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’
And then there’s ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’—a must-have for the collector’s garden. It’s a sport of ‘Empress Wu, although it will not grow as large as its parent. Leaves emerge mostly white in the spring, with blue-green splashes and speckles that grow until the leaves are mostly green by late summer. Our plants are filling out nicely, but it has proven to be tricky for growers to produce reliably, so get it while you can. We don’t know if or when we’ll be able to purchase more of this unique hosta.
Heuchera ‘Timeless Glow’
To accompany these hostas, we’ve chosen shade perennials that add contrast and seasonal interest rather than compete for attention. The dark, dramatic foliage of Astilbe ‘Chocolate Shogun’ (False Spirea) plays beautifully against blue and gold hostas, especially when its soft pink plumes rise in early summer. Heuchera ‘Timeless Glow’ (Coralbells) forms a neat, luminous mound that brightens the woodland edge and carries bright rose pink blooms well beyond what many expect from coral bells. Behind it all, Rodgersia ‘Superba’ (Roger’s Flower) adds bold, architectural foliage and soft pink flower panicles—perfect for giving the shade border a sense of depth and maturity. Early in the season, Primula ‘Watercolour Blue’ (Primrose) offers cool blue blooms just as hostas are unfurling.
Sun Lovers That Steal the Show
Nepeta ‘Lemon Purrfection’
Our collection of perennials for the sunny garden suggests 2026 is shaping up to be bold and joyful. Coneflowers remain garden staples for good reason, and the rich red tones of Echinacea ‘Knock ’em Red’ bring a depth of color that holds its own in midsummer heat. The bright, golden faces of Heliopsis ‘Rays for Days’ (False Sunflower) offer a long-lasting glow that feels cheerful without overwhelming the border. We especially love it tucked among ornamental grasses or paired with deep purples. If you crave drama, Hibiscus ‘Garnet Globes’ (Rose Mallow) delivers it in generous measure. Those large, garnet-red blooms create a midsummer focal point that feels almost tropical, yet the plant is perfectly hardy here. For softer edges, Nepeta ‘Lemon Purrfection’ (Catmint) pairs bright chartreuse-to-golden foliage with soft lavender-purple flower spikes to create a striking color contrast early in the season. This is one of the earliest Nepeta to bloom and continues all season, especially if lightly sheared after the first flush. Rudbeckia ‘Treasure Trove’ (Black-Eyed-Susan) carries that sunny energy into late summer with a vigorous selection that will have your garden glittering with golden color. Pair your Rudbeckia with Perovskia, Sedum and ornamental grasses to round out your late-season color.
And, of course, summer wouldn’t be complete without daylilies. ‘Don’t Lose Heart’ features pink blooms with a cranberry eye that nearly covers the entire petal. This captivating blend of color is completed with cranberry edges. ‘One Hit Wonder’ boasts large apricot orange flowers elegantly edged in dark purple and accented by bold dark purple eyes. ‘Royal Invitation’ offers a stunning combination of lavender petals with a lemony shark’s tooth edge and a vibrant yellow throat.
These are just the highlights of some of our favorite new additions. You can view more detailed information and see the complete collection of new plants on our website at hornbakergardens.com.
Rudbeckia ‘Treasure Trove’
When you visit this spring, watch for the “New at Hornbaker Gardens” flags throughout the nursery. Whether you’re creating a new garden or refining an existing one, we look forward to helping you select plants that will make this season your most beautiful yet.