Variety Info

Perpetual Perennial Performers — 2018 Trials

The quantity of perennials in summer trials has increased substantially. This is the culmination of years of breeding and selection, with significant advances in breeding techniques and a focus on interspecific hybrids. Many of the... more »

Culture Report: Opening the Door to Seed Salvia

With the tallest spikes and the deepest blue color, the new Salvia nemorosa ‘Salvatore Blue’ from Kieft Seed is an excellent alternative to vegetative salvia. ‘Salvatore Blue’ offers a critical daylength of 10 hours for... more »

Salvia Grandstand - Green Fuse Botanicals

Green Fuse Stunners

Each month, industry expert and consultant Vaughn Fletcher shares his take on various plant trials throughout the country. Sometimes he focuses on one specific trial, other times he focuses on one plant category, and sometimes... more »

Webinar to Look at New Plants Entering the Pipeline

On May 17, Brent Pemberton at Texas A&M University will present a one-hour webinar on "Exciting New Plants Entering the Pipeline." The webinar will take place at 11 a.m. CDT. During the webinar, Pemberton will... more »

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 »