Countdown to Spring Trials — Vol. 2
The countdown continues! In just 31 days (on this very day next month), we will begin our Spring Trials journey in northern California where breeders, growers and suppliers will come together to showcase their latest product offerings. The week-long event is a wonderful opportunity for attendees from across the industry to check out and compare new varieties that will be available next season and beyond.
The Spring Trials exhibitors have so many new introductions in the pipeline, and they have been kind enough to fill me in on some of the new and exciting varieties that will be on display next month. I shared some of these with you in my last newsletter, and I will continue with more today.
And for those of you last-minute planners: if you need any help scheduling appointments or mapping out your route, be sure to check out GPN’s 2018 California Spring Trials Companion.
Rudbeckia ‘Rising Sun Chestnut Gold’
Green Fuse Botanicals
This new selection is daylength neutral allowing for year-round scheduling without the need for supplemental lighting. It transitions a highly popular late summer and fall crop to year-round sales capabilities, giving consumers an entire season to enjoy the massive, bicolored flowers.
Calibrachoa ‘MiniFamous Uno Double Pinktastic’
Selecta One
The MiniFamous Uno series is early-to-finish with uniform flower timing across the series. They grow well in quart and gallon containers but also thrive in hanging baskets as part of Trixi combos. Pinktastic features heavily contrasted double flowers and a ball-shaped habit that is half trailing.
Canna ‘South Pacific Orange’
American Takii
This new seed-propagated canna is a 2018 All-America Selections winner, joining 2003 winner ‘South Pacific Scarlet’. It is ideal for both landscape and container use, due to its compact habit, brilliant flower color and excellent repeat blooming.
Petunia SUCCESS 360°
Benary
SUCCESS 360° is a new series of grandiflora petunias. Plants are early, uniform in the pack, and so well branched that they look great from any angle — 360°. Choose from 13 bold colors, including two star patterns.
Pelargonium Chocolate
PAC
The new Chocolate series has rich, dark, reverse zoned foliage with eye-popping bright blooms. The plants are densely branched and make perfect sized plants for quart or 6-inch production. The foliage is as ornamental as the flowers, making these ideal to mix into combinations.
Blueberry ‘Southern Bluebelle’
Star Roses and Plants
This petite, low-water and low-chill blueberry plant displays bright red foliage that turns emerald green as it matures. It is perfect for small-space gardens or patios in warmer climates in Zones 6 through 10. The plants grows to 2 to 3 feet with a mounded habit.
What do you think of these new varieties? What traits do you look for in new genetics? Throw me an email anytime at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com; I’d love to hear from you.
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