Mar 12, 2013

Spring Trials Sneak Peek – Vol. 3

Can you believe the California Spring Trials begin in less than a month? Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing some sneak previews with you. The Spring Trial exhibitors have so many introductions in the pipeline and they have been kind enough to fill me in on some of the new and exciting varieties that will be on display this year. So here are some more new varieties for your viewing pleasure!

Verbena ‘Lanai Twister Red’ (Syngenta Flowers)

Twister Red joins Candy Cane, Vintage Rose and Twister Pink as Lanai Premium selections. Large flowers bloom continuously throughout the season and are ideal for hanging baskets, mixed and monoculture containers. Strong vigor quickly fills planters and baskets for faster greenhouse turns and impressive retail displays.

Geranium Double Take series (Selecta)

Double Take from Selecta is bred to be the most uniform interspecific geranium series on the market. It provides 12 double flowers at first flush when grown three plants to a basket. The series has superior retail hold and its shatter-resistant flowers add up to excellent sell-through. Available colors are Pink, Pink + Eye, Red, Scarlet (pictured) and White.

Leucanthemum ‘Real Neat’ (Plant Haven)

This striking impule plant is characterized by a well-branched and firm upright habit. No staking is required. ‘Real Neat’ boasts quirky, pure-white fluted blooms with contrasting bright golden-yellow centers. The petals have a feather like look and texture. It blooms early to midsummer and then repeats in the fall.

Canna ‘South Pacific Scarlet’ (American Takii)

Canna F1 ‘South Pacific Scarlet’ is the first hybrid canna from seed. A 2013 All-America Selections winner, South Pacific is not prone to diseases transmitted in rhizome production. It produces an abundance of bright and showy 4-inch scarlet flowers all season on heavily branching plants. It thrives in hot and humid conditions and reaches a height of 4 to 5 feet.

Echinacea ‘Vanilla Cupcake’ (Terra Nova Nurseries)

‘Vanilla Cupcake’ features double, white anemone-type flowers on an upright compact plant. This echinacea has great branching and produces multiple stems of blooms. It is ideal for borders and mixed beds. ‘Vanilla Cupcake’ blooms from July to October and performs well in Zones 4 to 10.

Ipomoea ‘FloraMia Nero’ (Dümmen USA)

The new Red Fox ‘FloraMia Nero’ is a stunning purple-flowering ipomoea. It features small foliage, and a well-branching and compact habit.

Will you be attending the 2013 California Spring Trials? What types of new introductions will be on your radar? Let me know your thoughts; I’d love to hear from you. Send me an e-mail at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com.

– Jasmina

P.S. Are your travel plans all booked for the Spring Trials? If you need any help creating your itinerary, check out CaliforniaSpringTrials.com. You can also view our photo library from the 2012 trials.