June 2025 California Spring Trials, Events, Trends, Variety Info
Trends that are all about that vase By Heather Machovina

Cut flowers continue the popularity streak

The North American market for cut flowers remains strong as consumers fill garden beds and patio containers with better options for floral arrangements to enjoy at home or sell at local markets. Sunflowers are a favorite, and the breeding work of many genus showcased at California Spring Trials this year proves bold colors, bloom sizes and appealing shapes are what the market is longing for.

Danziger • Osteospermum ‘Besties Dynamic Bicolor’

The series is named Besties because they can be mixed and matched easily. The upright habit is great for containers and the prolific, multi-colored flowers make a great cut flower choice.

Benary • Craspedia ‘SolarPop’

New for dried and fresh arrangements, the large, golden globes that bloom also attract many beneficial insects. Suitable for landscape or container growing.

HilverdaFlorist • Gerbera ‘Garvinea Sweet Chili’

This new Garvinea is heat- and cold-tolerant, and resistant to pests and diseases. It’s the first red with black center, blooming from early spring until the first frost.

Sakata • Helianthus Vincent series

Vincent sunflowers are a top seller, with strong stems and flowers that bloom at a 45-degree angle for great presentation in a vase. It’s downy mildew resistant, pollen-free and day-length neutral for production year round.

PlantHaven International • Dianthus ‘Scent First Lemon Sparkler’

A hardy yellow dianthus with a compact, mounding habit of 12 inches. The flowers have a strong fragrance with hot pink specks throughout warm yellow petals. Great for a cutting garden.

American Takii • Brassica Crane series

Sunflowers are the most popular cut flower option here too, but flowering kale is increasing in popularity as awareness around it grows. Growers can expect uniform growth in height and head size.

Syngenta Flowers • Erysimum ‘Erysistible Fire’

This wallflower is a pollinator magnet, and the range of colors makes it a great cut flower addition. It’s Zone 5 hardy and ideal for early spring programs as it flowers early and continues to bloom into summer.