Jan 8, 2013

Production in Paraiso – Part Two

In my last blog, I shared some of the new varieties that caught my eye during my recent visit to the Florexpo production facility in Costa Rica. I had the opporunity to participate in Florexpo Week, an event that brings together breeders, growers and brokers from around the world to share in variety presentations and tours of the Florexpo facilities. It was an action-packed few days, and I got to learn about so many crops offered through Florexpo.

Today I’d like to continue sharing some of the new and exciting varieties presented during Florexpo Week. For more information about these crops and how to add them to your production, go to www.florexpo.net.

Lobularia ‘Lavender Stream’ (Danziger)

This fast-growing lobularia is a floriferous, ball-shaped plant. Heat tolerant, it grows all through the summer and it’s color doesn’t fade. It is ideal as a filler in mixed containers, hanging baskets or window boxes.

Monarda ‘Cranberry Lace’ (Future Plants)

This plant features purple-pink flowers on a very compact plant. It flowers from July to September and is hardy to Zone 4. This attractive perennial flowers in its first year!

Petunia ‘Crazytunia Cherry Cheesecake’ (Westflowers)

Crazytunias are a collection of unique petunias with exciting colors and patterns. Part of a new series introduced by Westhoff breeding, ‘Crazytunia Cherry Cheesecake’ has an intense red and white candy cane star pattern.

Sedum ‘Sunsparkler Dazzleberry’ (Garden Solutions)

This exciting new groundcover sedum only grows to 8 inches tall and 18 inches wide but has huge 9-inch flowerheads held above dusky-blue foliage. It has a long shelf life, and no vernalization is required.

Dahlia ‘Mystic Fantasy’ (Plant Haven)

A new addition to the Mystic series, ‘Mystic Fantasy’ boasts vibrant pink and yellow coloration against dark mahogany-black foliage. Mystic dahlias are now in their eighth generation of breeding, and many more unique and interesting color combinations are being introduced.

Gaura ‘Rosy Jane’ (Rijnbeek & Sons)

This gaura has beautiful bicolored flowers. The plant is very stable and grows to 30 inches. It is suitable as a border or patio plant. ‘Rosy Jane’ flowers from June until September and prefers a sun to partial shade.

What do you think of these new varieties? Will you consider adding them to your production? Let me know what you think; you can shoot me an e-mail at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com. I’d love to hear from you.

– Jasmina