Feb 6, 2014

Spring Trials Sneak Peek — Part 3 By Jasmina Dolce

The countdown to the 2014 California Spring Trials continues with only 38 days left until the week-long event commences!

Many of the breeders that will be participating in the trials this year have been kind enough to share some of their newest introductions with me. These standout varieties will make their debut along the California coast in just a few weeks.

Check them out, and be on the lookout for my next e-newsletter where I’ll share even more sneak peeks with you.

Petunia Success! series (Benary)

The new Success! petunia series is bred for uniform flower timing and fast finish – so growing those red, white and blue containers will be a snap! These petunias feature reduced lighting needs and consistent PGR requirements across all colors, so every plant can be treated the same. The mounded, spreading habit shows off more color at retail and in the garden.

Pepper ‘Spicy Slice’ (Sakata)

‘Spicy Slice’ produces early, extra-long, cylindrical fruit ideal for “rings.” The prolific plants offer good cover and are widely adaptable throughout the United States. The fruit mature from mid-dark green to red, are firm and smooth, are very slow to check and slice well.

Bacopa ‘Epic Blue’ (Westhoff)

This new bacopa shows a mass of deep-blue colored flowers. Trials have shown excellent rooting results in propagation. Besides ‘Epic Blue’, a white and pink bacopa will also be introduced.

Gaillardia ‘Celebration’ (Plant Haven)

‘Celebration’ gaillardia features one row of elegant red petals carried on very strong stems. It blooms over an exceptionally long period. It prefers full sun and is drought tolerant once established. Suitable uses include containers, beds and borders.

Canna Cannova F1 series (Ball Ingenuity)

Cannova is the first seed-grown F1 canna series bred for more versatility and better economy than tissue culture cannas. It can be grown in a wide range of pots; Cannova is not restricted to larger pots like other cannas.

Pentas Bicolor (Jaldety)

This unique new bicolor variety has pale pink flowers with dark pink centers. It blooms constantly in warm weather and features an upright, well-branching habit. This pentas is ideal for containers, mixed combinations, flower beds, small beds and as an idoor plant in sunny rooms.

Will you be attending the Spring Trials this year? What do you mainly look for while visiting the trial locations? Shoot me an e-mail at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com, and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’re still working on your Spring Trials route, be sure to check out GPN‘s Spring Trials Companion! We’ve compiled all the exhibitor information for you, including contacts, locations and maps. And even some dining options for when you get hungry on the road.

– Jasmina