SunPatiens® busy Lizzies
SunPatiens® busy Lizzies

Variegated impatiens for sun
Bred by Sakata in Japan, four colours of SunPatiens® busy Lizzies were introduced last year. They thrive in sun or partial shade, and are notable for tolerating hot conditions. This year sees the launch of variegated SunPatiens® Sunsplash Salmon. Plants have a height and spread of 35-45cm (14-18in).
Ready plants are available by mail order from the internet nursery plantconnection, price £11.99 per pack of six.
Wyevale Garden Centres are selling 1-litre pots at £3.99.

Angelonia Serena
Angelonia Serena

Heat-loving bedding plant
Winner of several best new plant awards, the Angelonia Serena series is more compact and bushy than previous angelonias, growing to about 25-35cm (10-14in). Suitable for bedding or mixed containers, it thrives in hot, sunny weather. The orchid-like flowers come in four colours, and continue all summer, with no need for deadheading. Visitors to the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in July will see Serena in the National Flower Bed Competition. In the meantime, try it yourself.

Pela Fidelity
Pela Fidelity

Plenty of pelargoniums
Launched at trade shows earlier this year by S&G Flowers, Pelargonium Fidelity encompasses a range of types and colours. There are three zonals - large (above), compact, and compact with a dark leaf - all with big, tight, weather-resistant flower heads. Trailing ivy-leaved types are available in both semi-double and single-flowered versions. More than 40 colours in all give scope for imaginative planting schemes, whether for container work or bedding in the garden.

Surfinia Petunias
Surfinia Petunias

Table Top Surfinias
Of the many new petunias introduced each year, Surfinia petunias bred in Japan have become a household name. The latest development is Table Top Surfinia, designed to make a dainty, manageable plant to grow in a pot or bowl to decorate your patio table. These grow to about 25cm (10in), which is smaller than the Surfinia Baby Series, Patio Surfinia and the Repens types. There are three colours in this new Table Top Series: Soft Pink, Pink Morn and Salmon Vein.

Dahlias
Dahlias

Dahlias that raise a cheer
There are many new dahlias around, including the series Dahlia Happy, which has single flowers and dark foliage in the style of D. 'Bishop of Llandaff'. They are quite vigorous, growing to 50-60cm (20-24in) - ideal for large containers or sunny borders. Six colours are available: red, yellow, purple and three peachy shades. Garden centres and retail outlets will stock 1.5-2.5-litre pots. Another new series is Dahlia Dark Angels, which are more compact and sell in 9-12cm pots.

Begonias
Begonias

Begonias with chocolate foliage
Tuberous begonias are noted for their large flowers, but dark, chocolate foliage is also a striking feature of Begonia tuberhybrida Nonstop Mocca Series, introduced in 2006 by Benary Seeds to complement the reliable Nonstop Series. Four colours are available now - orange, scarlet, white and yellow - but I can't wait for the 2007 Nonstop Mocca Pink Shades to be ready for sale. Like dahlias, begonia tubers can be overwintered and grown on the following spring.

Suppliers' details
Garden centres and retail outlets have large stocks during May, ready for planting. Prices start at about £1-2 for 9cm or 10cm pots and more for larger sizes. If you have difficulty in finding a particular variety, try a mail order supplier.