Countdown to Spring Trials — Vol. 3
Spring is officially here! And in just 17 days, we will start our coastal journey through California for the 2018 Spring Trials. The week-long event is a wonderful opportunity to get an insider’s look at all the new breeding and marketing efforts taking place before these new varieties hit the market next season and beyond.
The participating breeder companies have been working hard to bring the best genetics to the market, and they’ve been kind enough to share some sneak peeks with me. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing some of these new introductions with you and I’ve got some more to share today.
For those of you attending the Spring Trials, have you finalized your itinerary? If not, check out GPN’s 2018 California Spring Trials Companion. Our guide will help you plan your route and find location and contact information for each exhibitor.
In the meantime, here’s a glimpse into what will be on display next month.
Petunia ‘Easy Wave Red Improved’
Wave
Red is getting an upgrade for 2019, which moves six eye-catching mixes to the next level too! It offers improved seed quality, a denser plant with more branching, and shorter peduncles for a more controlled plant structure.
Impatiens ‘SunPatiens Compact Pink Candy’
Sakata
Compact Pink Candy, the newest addition to the SunPatiens family, delivers flourishing color in both sun and shade in spring through fall. It provides a smaller habit that works well in high-density production and still offers strong retail appeal.
Dahlia ‘Lubega XL Red’
Benary+
Benary+ is adding to its gorgeous, vegetative dahlia series. ‘Lubega XL Red’ has huge, deep red, fully double blooms on a vigorous plant. It is perfect for 5-inch pots to 1-gallon premium containers. It is available as unrooted cuttings shipped directly from the farm in Kenya.
Calibrachoa Candy Shop Pixie Stix Mix
Westhoff
More breeding from the popular Candy Bouquet calibrachoa brings two new one-off varieties with vividly striking patterns on very prolific, vigorous upright mounded plants. These varieties will be very popular with consumers and make great additions to hanging baskets and combinations.
Tomato ‘Summerlong’
Vegetalis
‘Summerlong’ is a compact patio tomato with an impressive disease resistance package, and the ability to stay clean and green all season long. The well-structured plant habit of ‘Summerlong’ boasts an abundance of medium-sized slicing fruits with improved taste and texture.
Dianthus Corona
PanAmerican Seed
Exceptional flower form and a palette of showstopping color choices makes Corona a regal choice for cool-season landscapes, gardens and patio planters. It features uniform flowering time and habit. Plant it along with other spring annuals, such as pansies.
Pelargonium ‘Big EEZE Flamingo’
Dümmen Orange
Joining the grower favorite Big EEZE series for the 2019 series is Flamingo, which features trendy pink petals with subtle white veining throughout. It fits perfectly with this uniform series known for its oversized umbels, saturated colors and unbeatable landscape performance.
Which varieties are you looking forward to seeing the most? What catches your eye when deciding on varieties to add to your production? Shoot me an email and let me know!
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