Variety Info

On Trend: Ornamental Grasses

Back in the mid-to-late 1980s when I entered the green industry full time, ornamental grasses were beginning to enjoy their time in the spotlight, just as perennials had a couple of years earlier. I remember... more »

Culture Report: FanciFiller Program

The FanciFiller program is a concept from Westhoff that intends to draw attention to the hardest working, but often underappreciated, plants in our industry: The Fillers. In a mixed... more »

Green Fuse Botanicals — All Star Summer Performers

Green Fuse Botanicals has made significant wide ranging annual and perennial vegetative introductions since its formation in 2009. The partnership with independent breeders has given them the opportunity to promote and market a diverse annual... more »

Petunia Basket Medley

In earlier articles, I highlighted new and unique annuals and perennials in last year’s summer trials. My evaluation would be incomplete without an article on the Raker-Roberta’s trial in Litchfield, Michigan. This is one of... more »

Let’s Talk Aglaonema

Aglaonemas, which originated from Asia and New Guinea, have typically been labeled as “Chinese Evergreens.” It is surprising that this name has stuck around now that there are so many versions of these that exhibit... more »

Houseplants are Hot!

In case you haven’t heard, houseplants are hot! According to GardenResearch.com’s National Gardening Survey, nearly one-third of all the households in America purchased a houseplant in 2017. When GardenResearch.com does its 2018 survey, I am... more »

Culture Report: Begonia Top Hat Series

Tophat begonia is an exciting new introduction into the XL begonia class from Syngenta Flowers. It has many benefits to growers and consumers that set it apart from the competition. Tophat has the only white... more »

Sizzling Summer Combinations

I attended the Southern Plant Tour in June and returned to North Carolina in mid-August to evaluate summer performance. Metrolina Greenhouses trialed more than 250 sun combination baskets with minimal shade under a pergola structure.... more »