Sep 4, 2009

Around the IndustrySource: Various

Costa Farms Augments Management Staff

Costa Farms, a world leader in indoor plant production and one of the largest U.S. bedding plant producers, has expanded its management team with Dr. Kathryn M. Santos, the new director of research and development, who recently completed her doctorate in environmental horticulture at the University of Florida. She earned a bachelor’s in plant biology from the University of New Hampshire. In her new position at Costa Farms, Santos will oversee research trials for new product development and implement new product and production protocols.

Athens Select Introduces Five New Southern Living Varieties for 2010

Athens Select is unveiling five new varieties in 2010 as part of the Southern Living Plant Collection. Mandevilla ‘Vogue Sophia’ and ‘Vogue Vivian’, verbena ‘Princess Blush’ and ‘Princess Dark Lavender’ and pentas ‘Stars & Stripes’ debut, bringing the total to 11 Athens Select varieties offered as part of the Southern Living Plant Collection. The Southern Living Plant Collection, first introduced in spring 2008, provides` gardeners with innovative new plants designed to solve specific landscape challenges. Each plant in the collection is the result of years of plant evaluations, plant trials and consumer research. Liners for these varieties are available from licensed Athens Select propagators. For more information about these Southern Living Plant Collection varieties and about the program, visit the collection’s website or Athens Select’s website, or contact your wholesale grower or broker.