Virginia’s ‘Beautiful Gardens’
February 3, 2009 
A horticultural association in Virginia has created a new plant introduction program for 2009 called Beautiful Gardens, complete with promotional materials for independent retailers. The introductions are all tested across the varied climatic zones throughout Virginia to ensure customers are successful with the plants they buy.
The program, created by the Virginia Nurserymen’s Association Horticulture Research Foundation Inc., is available to independent retailers in Virginia and was made possible through partial funding from a local grant. The group established 1-acre test sites in Glade Spring, Halifax County and Blacksburg, as well as at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
The plants in the program so far include the following:
–Cercis chinensis ‘Don Egolf,’ Chinese Redbud
–Helleborus x hybridus Pine Knot Strains, Lenten Rose
–Agapanthus x Monmid ‘Midknight Blue,’ Lily of the Nile
– Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake,’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
–Ilex x ‘Virginia,’ Holly
–Thuja x ‘Steeplechase,’ Arborvitae
–Buxus x ‘Green Velvet,’ Boxwood
–Stokesia laevis ‘Peachie’s Pick,’ Stokes’ Aster
–Musa basjoo, Hardy Banana
More plants are expected to be released in 2010, and Beautiful Gardens is presently soliciting nominations for its 2011 distribution. To find out more about the program, visit www.beautifulgardens.org.
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