Countdown to Spring Trials 2020 — Part 1
The 2020 California Spring Trials kicks off in just 65 days! In just two months, breeders, suppliers and marketers across the country and even abroad will display their newest offerings to the market along the California coast.
From Gilroy to Santa Paula, attendees will be introduced to hundreds of new varieties, as well as tools and merchandising ideas to help promote these new products to retailers and consumers.
Will you be attending the trials? If so, be on the lookout for the February issue of GPN, which will include our annual California Spring Trials Companion. This special guide contains all the information you need to help plan your trip and keep you on track during your journey.
Once again, attendees are encouraged to go to www.springtrialsregistration.com to book appointments in advance. You can schedule most of your appointments right from your computer, in just a few minutes.
In the meantime, I’d like to share a preview with you of some of the new varieties that will be making their grand debut in March. I’ve been in touch with some of the breeding companies that will be exhibiting at this year’s event, and they were kind enough to share some of their 2020-21 introductions with me.
Here’s a sneak peek for you …
Gerbera Garvinea Cheeky
HilverdaFlorist
The Garvinea Cheeky series is a new subseries in the garden gerbera assortment. The small-flowered series consists of four strong colors: Magenta, Orange, Red and Yellow. The strong Garvinea genetics are the basis of this uniform plant. Cheeky has true flower power and creates up to 60% more flowers than large-flowered Garvinea.
Petunia ‘Trilogy Pink Lips’
American Takii
‘Trilogy Pink Lips’ is a sweet new addition to the Trilogy series. It has the same tidy growth habit as the rest of the series, with a better mounding habit than other pink petunias on the market. Flowers are bubblegum pink with rounded petals.
Cyclamen Metalis
Morel Diffusion
This new midi range of cyclamen features silvery foliage. Plants have exceptional evenness with round and vigorous growth, generous silver leaf and distinctive contrasting. Six colors and a mix are available in the series.
Begonia Florencio
Syngenta Flowers
A striking range of vibrant colors paired with upright grower-friendly habits makes Florencio a go-to hybrid begonia. Bred for outstanding outdoor performance, Florencio holds up to the rigors of the season and provides season-long value for the end consumer. Available colors are Orange, Pink, Red, White and Yellow.
Pericallis ‘Senetti Violet’
Suntory Flowers
A vibrant new solid color joins the Senetti line. ‘Senetti Violet’ has deep violet-blue flowers with white radiating from the center eye for dramatic effect. Plants are more compact than top-selling Senetti varieties, Magenta Bicolor and Blue Bicolor. Its vigor is more like Ruby Red.
Vinca Quasar
Green Fuse Botanicals
Massive flowers and never-before-seen colors for flowering vinca make the all-new Quasar series a must for spring and summer sales. Strong landscape performance and disease resistance bring both grower and consumer success.
Impatiens ‘SunPatiens Compact Hot Pink’
Sakata
The trusted name for sun-loving impatiens is now available in two new colors — Compact Rose Glow and Compact Hot Pink (pictured). These new SunPatiens varieties are both eye catching and non-stop garden performers.
If you plan to attend the trials this year and need any assistance or suggestions while putting together your agenda, feel free to reach out. Team GPN makes this trek each year, and I’ve been mapping out our route, booking hotels, scheduling appointments, etc. longer than I can remember. Shoot me a message at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com; I’m more than happy to help!
Video Library 
