Mar 21, 2017

2017 Spring Trials Preview — Vol. 5 By Jasmina Dolce

The final stretch is here — Spring Trials begins in just 10 days! Over the past several weeks, I’ve been sharing some sneak peeks into the 2017 California Spring Trials and I have just one more installment left for you until the event begins.

The participating breeders have so many new varieties and programs in the works, and they’ve been kind enough to share some of their newest introductions with me.

For those of you not attending the trials, be sure to check your inbox daily. I’ll be sending out updates from each and every stop along the way. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for additional posts from the road.

And for those joining us along the coast, be sure to bookmark GPN’s 2017 California Spring Trials Companion. You never know when you’ll need to look up an address or an exhibitor’s contact information.

In the meantime, here’s a final glimpse into what’s in store at this year’s Spring Trials.

Calibrachoa Bloomtastic series
Dümmen Orange

New for 2018, the Bloomtastic series was bred to be the most vigorous calibrachoa series offered by Dümmen Orange. Both Serenity (pictured) and Rose Quartz feature remarkable heat tolerance, iridescent extra-large flowers and a spreading habit.

Petunia ‘Surfinia Trailing Red’
Suntory Flowers

Compared to the popular ‘Surfinia Deep Red’, this variety is fuller and more vigorous. The flower color is brighter and larger — an essential red that will be especially nice in patriotic combinations.

Gerbera Giants series
Florist Holland

Giants is the newest addition to the Flori Line collection and should be a hit at retail with its enormous attention-grabbing appearance and versatility. The plants are strong, voluminous and vigorous. Flower diameter measures up to 5.5 inches.

Sedum ‘Makinoi Lime’
Jaldety Nursery

This is an attractive, low-growing, hardy succulent with tiny yellow-lime foliage complemented by dark stems. It is heat and drought tolerant, and easy to maintain. Suitable applications include groundcovers, rock gardens, low borders, accenting walkways, combinations and miniature gardens.

Echibeckia ‘Summerina Electra Shock’
Pacific Plug & Liner

Electra Shock features quill-type flowers, giving it a spider mum appearance. In cooler weather, the flowers have a brown tinge; in warmer weather, the flowers will appear more yellow in color. It has a nice habit, working well in both 2.5 quarts and 2 gallons.

Geranium ‘Glitterati Diva Queen’
Hort Couture

This new hybrid specialty geranium has vibrant chartreuse leaves with a striking red-rust zone and bright pink flowers. Its garden performance and toughness in the landscape match ‘Glitterati Ice Queen’.

Vinca Mega Bloom series
Ameriseed

Mega Bloom is bred to be the largest flowered F1 vinca series from seed. It is bred in Southeast Asia under tropical weather conditions. The series is exceptionally heat, rain and disease tolerant.

Azalea ‘Autumn Bonfire’
Encore Azalea

New to the Encore Azalea family, this compact shrub is a fast grower but it tops out at 3 feet. ‘Autumn Bonfire’ is hardy to Zones 6a through 10.

Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Blue Moon Punch’
Proven Winners

These cool silvery lavender blooms have a dark eye and are early to flower in week 9. Abundant flowers will cover this plant and cascade out of baskets, patio containers and window baskets.

Petunia ‘Cascadias Red Lips’
Danziger

‘Cascadias Red Lips’ grows into a spectacular basket, overflowing with large glowing flowers. It is early to flower and has a branched and semi-trailing habit. It keeps its attractive appearance even in cold and rainy weather.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these new introductions over the past several weeks. Now it’s time to start packing!

Will you be traveling the coast in 10 days? Be sure to stop and say “Hi!” if you see me and Team GPN on the road. I’d love to catch up and chat about all the new intros.

— Jasmina