Two weeks ago, I introduced you to new selections of woody ornamental plants to look for this spring, so this week let's take a look at herbaceous ones, such as perennials.

Heucheras, commonly known as coral bells, are a good genus to begin with. The number of selections offered is mind-boggling (these are not your grandmother's coral bells). Derived from crosses made with the Southeastern native Heuchera villosa, these vigorous hybrids tolerate more sun and heat than many of the heucheras gardeners grew in the past. Their striking foliage (mostly evergreen) will brighten up a dark corner or add zing to a quiet planting. They include H. 'Citronelle', with chartreuse foliage, or H. 'Caramel', with slightly ruffled leaves that start out golden with reddish undersides and mature to a blend of apricot and honey. For a contrast, H. 'Mocha' displays dark brown leaves that become more intense in the sun, and H. 'Brownies' has large chocolate-brown leaves with red undersides. It forms clumps that are 24 inches across (see source 6 below).

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'Summer Sky' echinacea has large peach-hued blooms

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Phlox 'David's Lavender'.

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'After Midnight' echinacea.

More Glasener Tennessee flowers inspire garden design  Tulips come in many sizes and colors  Plant spring bulbs that are easy to grow and live long  Old-fashioned roses easier to grow in some gardens  Time to start drought-resistant plants

Another group of heucheras, part of the Proven Winners program, includes H. 'Dolce Licorice', with black foliage; H. 'Dolce Key Lime Pie', with chartreuse leaves; and H. 'Dolce Peach Melba', with foliage in shades of peach (sources 1, 2, 4). Plant these heucheras in groups, combine them with others or use them as accents with ferns and other perennials. Heuchera 'Midnight Rose', a Terra Nova introduction (3), has unusual deep purple, almost black, leaves in winter, spotted hot pink in the spring.

Gardeners who feel limited by the shade will be happy to discover Dicentra 'Ivory Hearts' (6), a hybrid bleeding heart with blue-gray, ferny foliage and white, heart-shaped flowers that last for weeks. Combine this delicate beauty with ferns like Athyrium 'Burgundy Lace' or other bleeding hearts.

Arum italicum 'White Winter' (4), another introduction from Terra Nova, displays handsome sculpted leaves marked with white from fall through spring. It's great for the woodland, especially in winter, when many plants are dormant.

For interesting texture and color, try 'Spot' agave (5), a selection of our native Agave virginica, formerly known as Manfreda virginica. Its broad succulent leaves are heavily spotted with burgundy splotches. Maturing at 18 inches high and wide, it thrives in full sun or part shade.

Baptisia 'Twilite Prairieblues' (5) is a hybrid of wild indigo that looks promising for Southern gardens. With violet-and-golden bicolor flowers, this beauty grows 3 to 5 feet high and 4 feet wide.

Coneflowers have long been popular for their colorful summer blooms, and now there are even more to choose from. There are two standouts from the Big Sky series developed by ItSaul Plants of Atlanta. A dwarf selection, Echinacea 'After Midnight' (1,2,3), has fragrant, dark magenta-purple flowers and black stems and blue-green foliage and grows 12 inches high and wide. E. 'Summer Sky' (1,2,3) has 5-inch, fragrant peach blooms with a rose halo. It matures at 36 to 42 inches. Combine them with other coneflowers, daylilies and perennials.

Coreopsis 'Jethro Tull' (1, 2, 3) is another ItSaul introduction and a summer favorite for the border. This hybrid resulted from crossing two other cultivars. With broad, golden yellow, fluted petals, a compact habit and a long bloom season, it is a winner every time. Combine it with blues salvias or hardy geraniums.

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. Hastings Nature & Garden Center, 3920 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta; 404-869-7447.

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

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

6. Wayside Gardens, 1 Garden Lane, Hodges, SC 29695; 1-800-845-1124, www.waysidegardens.com.

ERICA'S PICK

David's Lavender phlox

Botanical name: Phlox paniculata 'David's Lavender'

About the plant: This garden phlox offers lavender-pink flowers and is mildew resistant. It grows 36 to 48 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide.

Use in the garden: Combine with other perennials like salvias, daylilies, coneflowers and artemesia.

Planting and care: Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Good air circulation will help reduce the chance of powdery mildew.