How to tell which of the latest are really the greatest

Gardeners can be an emotional bunch. What else could explain the insatiable desire to get our dirt-stained hands on the newest plants to hit the market — plants for which we pay exorbitant shipping costs or drive to every garden center in a 100-mile radius to have?

Plant brands do a great job at marketing, and one of their biggest tools is their new plant promotions, which promise better, more interesting plants every year. Although I’m not immune to the temptation of the latest and greatest, I know that at least part of the hype is marketing prowess.