Day 2 at the Trials — Speedling, Golden State Bulb, Pacific Plug & Liner and Benary
Team GPN covered a ton of ground on Day 2 of the California Spring Trials. We started our day in San Juan Bautista where Hem Genetics, Plant Source International, Thompson & Morgan, Vista Farms and ABZ Seeds exhibited at Speeding.
Next, we trekked to Moss Landing to check out the gorgeous calla lilies at Golden State Bulb Growers. As always, the presentation was lovely. They introduced four new callas this year and have some new eucomis and scilla in the pipeline.
Our third stop was at Pacific Plug & Liner, where we got to tour the new offerings from Cultivaris, Sunset Western Garden Collection, Cohen, Jaldety and Hishtil, and a new exhibitor this year — Bailey Nurseries. We also walked through Pacific Plug & Liner’s lavender trials. We can’t wait to see the final results later this summer.
We ended our day at Benary, where we got to see an actual flower fashion show! Their exhibit focused on how growers can be successful in production as well as the various applications consumers can use with their varieties.
Check out some of the highlights below, but don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for even more updates. And if you haven’t already, check out our online photo gallery.
Vinca Solar Avalanche series (Hem Genetics)
Solar Avalanche is an F1 hybrid with a trailing habit. It is a vigorous series that fills the landscape well and will offer a unique presentation in baskets and combinations.
Strawberry ‘Delizz’ (ABZ Seeds)
A 2016 All-America Selections winner, ‘Delizz’ has been trialed in different parts of the country and is the first strawberry to earn this honor! It is very easy to grow and looks great at retail. POP items are available, such as the sleeve shown here.
Calla ‘Peach Pizzazz’ (Golden State Bulb Growers)
‘Peach Pizzazz’ was an experimental variety at last year’s trials and is now an official introduction. It boasts a special bouquet effect that will offer a nice presentation in landscape pots.
Zinnia ‘Zany Scarlet’ (Cultivaris)
This interspecific, vegetatively propagated zinnia is a fast and vigorous plant. It has excellent garden performance all summer long, and it is resistant to powdery mildew.
Pelargonium ‘Pinki Pinks’ (Jaldety)
‘Pinki Pinks’ is a versatile plant that can be used as a groundcover or in baskets and combinations. It is hardy to Zone 7 and has a long flowering season with masses of pink flowers from early spring to late fall.
Carex ‘Feather Falls’ (Pacific Plug & Liner)
This new grass is a vigorous, variegated carex that will perform in almost any landscape condition. Consumers will be happy it doesn’t burn and that it also thrives in shady areas.
Begonia ‘Funky Pink’ (Benary)
‘Funky Pink’ is a novelty begonia that has a very unique double bloom. This new variety is easy to ship with a mounding habit and looks outstanding in baskets and containers. It can be grown in partial shade to full sun.
Petunia Success series (Benary)
Success! petunias have been a huge seller for Benary, and they continue to expand the lineup. This year, they introduced three new colors; ‘Success! Pink Vein’ is pictured. It is an easy plant for growers and has the same attractive mounded habit as the rest of the Success! series.
Do you have any favorite new introductions yet? Let me know which new varieties you’re most excited about; send me an email at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com.
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