California All-Stars
Couldn’t make it to this year’s Spring Trials? Here are some of the major players for 2010-2011.
Abutilon ‘Lucky Lantern Tangerine’
We were first introduced to the Lucky Lantern series at last year’s trials, where they were displayed on PlantHaven’s “Visions of the Future” bench. We were happy to see these bell-shaped blooms as an official introduction this year. They offer a long retail shelf life. These plants are ideal for many gardening uses
and applications.
Antirrhinum ‘Rosey Dragon’
The Dragon series from Ecke Ranch represents three new upright growing snapdragons with open-faced flowers. And they smell great! These hardy plants bloom into the heat of summer and still provide fragrance for home gardeners to enjoy.
Bacopa ‘Scopia Double Blue’
The new Scopia Double series from Danziger includes three colors: White, Pearl and Blue. These decorative, large double flowers are outstanding performers in partial shade or full sunlight. They will look great in pots, hanging baskets and mixed containers.
Calibrachoa ‘MiniFamous Compact Purple’
MiniFamous continues to play an important role in Selecta First Class’ program. We loved the early blooming ‘MiniFamous Compact Purple’. That bright color and mounding habit will make a bold statement in the garden. Display these compact varieties in mono baskets and pots, and consumers will love them!
Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Blackberry Punch’ and ‘Superbells Coralberry Punch’
Proven Winners has come up with an intense, unique color combination in ‘Superbells Blackberry Punch’ and ‘Superbells Coralberry Punch’. Blackberry Punch boasts a rich, velvet-black throat on deep-grape petals. Coralberry Punch has a reddish-black throat on coral-red petals. For gardeners who get thrills showing off novel varieties, these are a perfect match.
Coreopsis ‘Coloropsis Salsa’
Skagit Gardens’ new coreopsis series, Coloropsis, consists of three striking colors: Jive (white blooms with burgundy eye and orange center), Mambo (pale pink blooms with raspberry eye) and Salsa (golden yellow blooms with wide burgundy eye). These new varieties produce masses of flowers from early summer into fall, and thrive in full sun with minimal care.
Dahlia ‘Lucky Love’
The Lucky dahlias were one series at the GroLink location that immediately caught our attention. The plants are uniform in habit and unique in color. These striped dahlias are very versatile, and the flowers don’t get lost in the foliage. Unique and breathtaking, these new dahlias will absolutely impress your impulsive shoppers.
Dianthus ‘Diabunda Purple Picotee’
The first-ever Fleuroselect Industry Award winner, ‘Diabunda Purple Picotee’, was definitely a sight to see in person at the Syngenta Flowers stop. It shows a stunning color combination. These multibranched plants will present very well on retail benches.
Gerbera ‘Garvinea Lisa’
Florist de Kwakel introduced a unique selection of perennial gerbera this year with the Garvinea series. Fourteen vibrant colors are offered. Your fall-season customers will appreciate the Garvinea varieties as they flower until late autumn and are winter hardy.
Ipomoea ‘Sweet Georgia Light Green’
GreenFuse Botanicals debuted a new line of sweet potato vine at this year’s trials. The new company presented the Sweet Georgia ipomoea in six eye-catching colors. ‘Sweet Georgia Light Green’ really stood out, and it is more mounded than its predecessors. Present these unique plants in combination planters, and shoppers will take notice.
Kalanchoe ‘Romantic Rose’
The Greenex trial stop at Speedling always impresses us with its variety of Queen kalanchoe. Part of their WildFlowers collection, ‘Romantic Rose’ is a new addition for 2010-11 and boasts an interesting color and shape. The entire series can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors.
New Guinea Impatiens ‘Magnum Lavender’
Dümmen’s new Magnum series stole a ton of attention at the breeder’s Spring Trials site. These flowers were huge! Plants are strong, easy to grow and hold their color well. Six colors round up this series: Lavender, Blue, Salmon, Peach, Fire and White Blush.
Pot mum ‘Cinnamon Pueblo’
The Yoder mums display at Syngenta Flowers’ trial location showed a ton of stunning varieties. One of our personal favorites was ‘Cinnamon Pueblo’. It features a daisy flower form and dark-orange flowers that complement the striking green eye. It has excellent color for year-round sales, especially for fall.
Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol White’
The long-awaited addition to Suntory’s Sun Parasol Original group debuted this year at the trials. It features a bushy habit with pure white flowers and a yellow throat. ‘Sun Parasol White’ boasts medium-sized flowers and glossy foliage, and it is a natural climber.
Pansy ‘Balconita Trailing Blue & White’
A revolutionary breakthrough, the Balconita series is the first truly vegetative trailing large-flowered pansy available on the market. Balconita is currently available through Oro Farms in five colors, with more to follow. Balconita varieties look absolutely beautiful in hanging baskets and will turn heads at retail.
Petunia ‘Black Velvet’
Ball FloraPlant’s ‘Black Velvet’ is the world’s only black petunia; it’ll wow consumers with its unique new color. Although beautiful as a stand-alone plant, it really pops in combinations. ‘Black Velvet’ is an excellent late-season variety to complement fall colors beautifully.
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