Countdown to Spring Trials — Vol. 4
The countdown is almost over, and the 2018 California Spring Trials will begin in just three days! Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing some sneak peeks of the new introductions that will be debuting at the trials. And this will be my final preview before the big event.
For those of you attending, be sure to pack your Spring Trials Companion. If you don’t have a copy, just bookmark the digital issue for on-the-go information as you make your way along the coast. GPN compiled all the exhibitor locations, contact information and even dining recommendations to keep you refreshed and energized during your journey.
I know it’s a busy time in the greenhouse and many of you are not able to attend, but you need not worry. I’ll be sharing updates daily from the road and will be sharing trends and highlights in the June and July issues of GPN. So be on the lookout!
In the meantime, here are some final sneak peeks of the beauties that will be on display next week.
Geranium Moxie
Syngenta Flowers
Moxie is the first and only interspecific geranium bred for brilliant color in small containers. It features a mounded, densely branched habit that delivers superior flower coverage all season long.
Verbena Firehouse
Ball FloraPlant
This new series is the perfect medium-mounded basket verbena. It has superior garden performance in the heat — less cycling means more color in the garden for summer. Firehouse launches with nine colors in the series.
Catharanthus ‘Soiree Kawaii White Peppermint’
Suntory Flowers
White Peppermint is one of three new color additions to the Soiree series. These new varieties add dimension and contrast to the collection. They are excellent to mix in combinations and beds. Heat-loving Soiree sizzles all summer and is especially happy in the South.
Calibrachoa Lia
Danziger
This new series is bred for baskets with tight internodes, which means better garden performance and more flower power for the consumer. Tested for pH sensitivity and will flower in 10-hour days. It is best in quarts and compact baskets. Six colors are available.
Echinacea ‘Prima Ginger’
Terra Nova Nurseries
‘Prima Ginger’ has charming multicolored blooms that start a soft orange and age to a pink tone. This bright variety has an extremely short, clumping habit with multiple crowns. It blooms the first year with numerous flowers and is hardy to Zones 4 through 10.
Dahlia LaBella Maggiore
Beekenkamp
The complete LaBella series now has dahlias for the 3.5-inch all the way to 10-inch market. LaBella has added Maggiore to its range. Maggiore is bred for 8- to 10-inch pots and features bright, eye-catching blooms.
Coreopsis ‘Double the Sun’
Kieft Seed
This bright newcomer is two to three weeks earlier than ‘Early Sunrise’ and other comparable varieties in the early cool season. In summer, it finished one to two weeks earlier. The semi-double, clear golden flowers are large and ideal for quart and 1-gallon production in spring and summer with 13-hour critical daylength.
Which new varieties are you most excited about? What types of characteristics do you look for when adding to your production? Shoot me an email at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com and let me know; I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re in California next week, be sure to stop and say “hi” if you spot Team GPN.
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