Apr 3, 2017

Spring Trials Day 2 — Speedling, Pacific Plug & Liner and Benary By Jasmina Dolce

Our Spring Trials journey continues in San Juan Bautista and Watsonville. Yesterday, we began our day visiting Breeder Boulevard at Speedling where Hem Genetics, Thompson & Morgan, ABZ Seeds, Vista Farms and Plant Source International showcased their many impressive varieties.

We spent our afternoon at “Camp Perennial,” Pacific Plug & Liner’s revamped location where the main focus is on perennial programs. We also got to see all the new introductions from Cultivaris, HMA Plants, Bailey Nursery, Encore Azalea, Southern Living Plant Collection and Sunset Western Garden Collection. The companies showcased their plants in a totally new layout this year — not a bench in sight!

Our day ended down the street at Benary where we got to learn about the company’s new venture with Volmary, Benary+. It was interesting to see all the vegetative varieties in addition to the traditional seed items. Benary’s theme this year was focused on bring technology together with horticulture, so our visit actually began with a virtual reality tour and then ended on a real helicopter ride where we got a bird’s eye view of Benary’s facility and the Watsonville area. What a treat! We even took a short video of the experience — you can check it out on our Facebook page.

Tomorrow we will continue down to Salinas where we’ll visit American Takii, Sakata and Floricultura. So stay tuned for more updates. But in the meantime, check out some of our favorite introductions from Day 2.

Dianthus ‘Supra Pink’
Hem Genetics

This new interspecific dianthus is an All-America Selections winner. It is cold hardy to Zone 4b but can also withstand Florida summers. ‘Supra Pink’ has a nice, compact habit with strong branching.

Cosmos ‘Lemonade’
Thompson & Morgan

Yellow has traditionally been a never-before-seen color in cosmos, so this striking yellow and white bicolor is truly special. Plants produce masses of flowers throughout the summer, creating a gorgeous colorful display.

Eckibeckia ‘Summerina Pumpernickel’
Pacific Plug & Liner

Pacific Plug & Liner is expanding the Summerina collection this year. Pumpernckel has a two-toned toasted brown and espresso coloration, and it matches the habit of Orange and Yellow varieties. The flower color will deepen with cool weather.

Geranium ‘Bloom Time’
Cultivaris

This perennial geranium is easy to grow, works well in a range of pot sizes and will continuously bloom from May through October. It is a vigorous grower and will finish fast.

Cleyera ‘Juliet’
Southern Living Plant Collection

A bright landscape plant, ‘Juliet’ displays a very strong, stable variegation. It takes full sun to part shade and is hardy to Zones 7 through 10. Finished size is 8 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide.

Begonia ‘Nonstop Joy Mocca White’
Benary

This new begonia has the dark foliage of the Mocca series but with a Joy semi-trailing habit. The huge white flowers contrast beautifully against the leaves, creating a beautiful hanging basket.

So, what are your favorite new introductions so far? Or are there any you’d like to learn more about? Shoot me an email, and let me know! I’d love to hear from you.

— Jasmina