I always look forward to writing about new plants. Even if I can't try all of them in my own garden, I get to talk with other gardeners about their favorites or those they think are promising. Hopefully, these wonderfully diverse shrubs and trees will whet your appetite and make you want to try some in your own landscape.

This week, the focus is on new introductions of woody ornamentals. (Next time we will highlight herbaceous plants.) In some cases, they are new selections of old favorites like hydrangeas and dogwoods, and in other cases they may be species that are less familiar.

The peegee hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora', has long been popular with gardeners and considered easy to grow (it blooms on the current season's growth, so prune it in late February, before new growth starts). Recent introductions of H. paniculata include 'Limelight' (see sources 1-3 below), with bright green blooms in midsummer that persist until autumn, when they turn white and develop some pink tones; 'Little Lamb' (1, 3), with larger flowerheads with smaller individual flowers on plants that mature at 4 to 6 feet; 'Pinky Winky' (1, 3), with 12- to 16-inch flowerheads and two-toned white and pink flowers (great for dried flowers); and 'Quick Fire' (1, 3), which blooms earlier than the other selections and produces flowers that are white to rich, deep pink.

H. macrophylla 'Lemon Daddy' (1-3) is worth growing just for its yellow-green foliage, although it does produce large heads of blue or pink, depending on soil pH. H. macrophylla 'Fantasy' (1-2) has dark green leaves and reddish flowers.

Aptly named H. quercifolia 'Little Honey' (4) has golden foliage in spring and fall and matures at 3 feet high and wide.

For texture, Mahonia eurybracteata (4), a new species of mahonia introduced by Ozzie Johnson of ItSaul Plants, has soft, narrow, bamboolike foliage and very few spines and blooms in January. Reaching 3 to 4 feet at maturity, it grows happily in part shade.

Prunus incisa 'Kojou-No Mai' (4), a dwarf flowering cherry, is a plant for four seasons. Zigzag stems provide winter interest, pink bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, and in autumn the foliage turns shades of orange and red. Maturing at 4 feet by 3 feet, this shrub is perfect for even the smallest garden.

A small shrub that will attract birds to your garden is the native Viburnum dentatum 'Blue Muffin' (1). Reaching 3 to 4 feet high and wide, its clusters of white flowers in spring are followed by deep blue fruits. Viburnum dilatatum 'Cardinal Candy' (3), a selection of the linden viburnum, produces clusters of scarlet berries that persist into midwinter.

For summer bloomers, try Hypericum kalmianum 'Gemo' (3), 2 to 3 feet tall, with willowlike foliage and yellow flowers from summer into September; or try H. kalmianum 'Blue Velvet', (3) similar in stature but with blue-green foliage and yellow flowers in summer, followed by red berries. A bonus is that both these shrubs appear to be deer resistant.

A tree that sounds impressive is the evergreen dogwood, Cornus angustata 'Empress of China' (1-3). Selected by plantsman John Elsley, this vigorous grower produces masses of flowers (similar to Kousa dogwood blooms) in late spring to early summer that open lime-green and turn to white. After six to seven weeks of blooms, strawberry-like fruits appear and provide interest through the fall. The foliage persists until spring, when it drops off and is replaced with new leaves.

ERICA'S PICK

Ryusen weeping Japanese maple

Botanical name: Acer palmatum 'Ryusen'

About the plant: This strict weeper is an introduction from ItSaul Plants. A showstopper during every season with its palmate leaves and pendulous branches. Fall foliage is orange and red.

Use in the garden: Makes a dramatic focal point. Plant it against a backdrop of evergreen foliage or position it above a stone wall.

Planting and care: Grows in full sun or part shade. Make sure the soil is moist but well-drained. Young trees should be staked at a height at which you want it to weep from.

Source: Ashe-Simpson Garden Center, 4961 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Atlanta; 770-458-3224.

PLANT-SOURCE KEY

1. Ashe-Simpson Garden Center, 4961 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Atlanta; 770-458-3224.

2. Habersham Gardens, 2067 Manchester St. N.E., Atlanta; 404-873-2484.

3. Land Arts, 809 N. Broad St., Monroe; 770-267-4500.

4. McMahan's Nursery, 5727 Cleveland Highway,Clermont; 770-983-3666.

Erica Glasener is an Atlanta horticulturist and host of HGTV's "A Gardener's Diary" (check local listings for air times). Her column appears biweekly. Write to her in care of AJC Home & Garden, P.O. Box 4689, Atlanta, GA 30302, or visit her at ericaglasener.com.