California Spring Trials — Middle of the Road
The journey continues down the California coast, where we’ve been seeing a lot of new introductions and having fun along the way. Day 3 started at American Takii in Salinas, where they were exhibiting along with HilverdaKooij, who will be merging with Florist Holland later this year.
We then headed over to Sakata Seed America, also in Salinas. They launched the new Viking and Viking XL begonias as well as a new bicolor Profusion zinnia, which you can learn more about in a video I did from the stop on social media.
Up next was Dümmen Orange at the Edna Valley Vineyard, our final stop of the day. They launched a new Fleur de Rock collection of rock garden plants to meet the demand for super low-maintenance offerings.
Yesterday we started our day at Windmill Nursery in Buellton with J. Berry Nursery and 2Plant International, among others, before heading down to PanAmerican Seed in Santa Paula. With eight different companies of Ball Horticultural exhibiting under one roof, we’ll touch on a few of them below and save a handful more for our next e-newsletter on Friday. Also, learn about new AmeriHybrid begonias and a new osteospermum series in this video from the stop.
Keep up with us on Instagram and Facebook, head over to GPN’s blog for more on variety introductions, and make sure to click on the below images for more info on all of them …
Downy Mildew-Resistant Impatiens
PanAmerican Seed
Beacon impatiens from PanAmerican Seed are newsworthy this year because of their resistance to impatiens downy mildew. The six colors — and two mixes —were displayed beautifully in this heart planting, and there’s also a unique story in that 3 percent of all sales will go to a lesser-known charity — this year it’s the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation, also known as “brittle bone disease.”
Cut Flowers
Sakata
This gorgeous table display showcased Sakata’s new Coco cut flower marigold in three colors: Gold, Deep Orange and Yellow. Named with the Disney movie of the same name in mind, “It’s always a fiesta with Coco.”
“Tropical” Impatiens
Dümmen Orange
We know tropicals are hot right now, but what about this new series of SunStanding New Guinea impatiens that have variegated foliage for a tropical look? SunStanding Jazzy has two new intros this year: Coral and Hot Pink. Imagine this in combinations.
A Zinnia Retreat
Takii Seed
The new line of Prĕciosa zinnias from Takii is available in seven colors and a blend that stay compact and have good branching for more flower power at retail. This display, meant to look like a European oasis, really made the flowers pop and differentiated this intro from the rest of the space.
A Rainbow of Peppers
Burpee
Snack peppers aren’t going away, and what’s unique about these new Mardi Gras Fun varieties is that you can grow all four colors in a 16-inch pot to have an array of purple — yes, purple! — red, yellow and orange snack peppers. You could have some fun with the Mardi Gras name too.
A Play on Words
J. Berry
J. Berry Nursery always rolls out the red carpet to highlight its Hollywood Hibiscus series, and this year it was no different for its Crown Jewel Begonia line. This treasure chest was an easy way to really make the ‘Positively Peridot’ variety pop.
Contrasting Colors
Star Roses & Plants
Star Roses & Plants used different, brightly colored doorframes to make its lines stand out, an easily replicated idea for your stores. Bushel & Berry was highlighting its Cascade series of blueberries perfect for hanging baskets.
A Grand Entrance
Sakata
Shoppers always look up, but it’s hard to make a greenhouse look special from that high. These plantings welcomed people through each doorway and got a lot of attention for their eye-catching color and combinations.
Videos
