PDSI offers CAST preview
Plant Development Services (PDSI) announced it is shining the spotlight on innovation at California Spring Trials (CAST) 2024, taking place March 19-22.
As consumers pursue creative details, new and never-before-seen color variations, and small space-friendly selections, PDSI’s new releases bring these trending traits to trusted landscape staples. The resulting new introductions have received international industry acclaim, including the following releases on display at CAST 2024:
Available through Southern Living Plant Collection and Sunset Plant Collection:
Ilex ‘Nelliet’ offers superior branching, denser foliage, and requires minimal pruning. It features a classic pyramidal shape, dark green leaves, and glistening red berries. Ideal for Zones 6 to 9 in full sun to part shade areas. Size at maturity is 15 to 25 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide.
Yucca ‘Nice & Easy’ displays eye-catching creamy white-edged leaves with hints of pink in cool weather. Its soft texture and upright growth make it ideal for containers or as a vertical accent in the landscape. Ideal for Zones 8 to 11 in full sun to part shade areas. Size at maturity is 4 to 6 feet high x 3 to 5 feet wide.
Yucca ‘Mellow Yellow’ radiates with a golden hue in the sun and lends a unique structure to the landscape with arching leaves an attractive and upright growth habit. This high-performing and water-wise yucca boasts superior heat, drought, and humidity tolerance. Ideal for Zones 6 to10 in full sun. Size at maturity is 4 to 5 feet tall by 3 feet wide.
Colocasia ‘Redemption’ features stunning jet-black leaves with a vibrant hot pink center and veins that intensify in heat. The winner of the Retailer’s Choice Award at Cultivate 2023, Redemption’s shiny, rippled leaves make it a dramatic addition to containers, pool sides, and accent plantings. Ideal for Zones 7 to 11 in part sun. Size at maturity is 3.3 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide.
Agapanthus ‘Blackjack’ has striking near-black purple blooms on elegantly tall stems, a unique color variation that netted it the RHS 2023 Plant of the Year Award and NGB’s 2024 Green Thumb Award. This compact variety offers a long flowering season, exceptional drought tolerance, and outperforms traditional agapanthus. Ideal for Zones 8 to 11 in full sun to part shade areas. Size at maturity is 14 to 20 inches high by 14 to 16 inches wide.
Available through Better Boxwood:
Buxus ‘Skylight’ is a standout new release from the Better Boxwood series, the first collection of boxwood bred explicitly for its ability to resist blight. Hailed as a 2024 Green Thumb Award winner by NGB, Skylight shines with lush, medium green foliage, responds well to pruning and reaches a convenient 6 to 8 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide when mature. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9.
Available through Buddleia Butterfly Candy and Sunset Plant Collection:
Buddleia ‘Butterfly Candy Lil’ Grape’ generates both pollinator and industry buzz. A KVBC silver award winner, this dazzling shrub with copious blooms in its namesake purple color is perfect for small spaces, offering a unique and tidy compact size. Ideal for Zones 5 to 10 in full sun to part shade areas. Size at maturity is 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
Videos
