Variety Central: Hanging Baskets

Here are some new varieties that are sure to stand out in your hanging baskets and planters.

February 2010

	Goldsmith
	Sugar Plum is a new addition to the Ramblin’ trailing petunia series. This grower friendly variety does not require complicated lighting or production. It’s available as raw or pelleted seed and less daylength sensitive than competing series.
	The Go-Go tuberous begonias have added Bright Red to their lineup. This variety has superior seed quality (over 85 percent usable seedlings) and does not demand an aggressive PGR regimen. Go-Go’s first flush of color yields at least three big, bold blooms.
	The Endurio viola line’s newest color is Lavender. This spreading viola was the recent recipient of the new AAS Cool Season Award Winner for 2010. ‘Endurio Lavender’ has a mounding, spreading habit, which makes it perfect for baskets, color bowls and landscapes. Excellent for both spring and fall, this well-branched and free flowering variety has good bloom coverage over the entire plant.
	Pacific Plug & Liner
	Begonia ‘Sparkle Scarlet’ is noted for its unique upright mounding habit and absolutely huge flowers. Ideal for patio containers, hanging baskets or window boxes, Sparkle begonias are sun and humidity tolerant. This plant was noted as a top performer in several field trials this past year. It’s also available in Rose and Salmon.
	Selecta
	MiniFamous Double Lemon is one of Selecta’s three new MiniFamous Double varieties. Along with its stunning color, it flowers very early and with a lot of flowers at the same time. The habit and branching is great, and it fits any container format.
	Selecta’s top-selling Magadi lobelias have added a new color to their line: Basket Dark Purple. It features thick branching and outstanding summer performance. The added term “Basket” to some of the new varieties helps in the ordering process, depending on the right application.
	Ball Horticultural Co.
	The Sun Spun series of mounded, upright petunias from Ball creates neat and tidy, ball-shaped plants that display large, showy flowers. It performs as a “friendly neighbor” in mixed containers and will not overtake other varieties in mixed plantings.
	‘Voltage Yellow’ osteospermum is a bright, clear yellow flowering variety. It blooms early, and stays low and well branched with a spreading habit that puts on a high-impact show.
	‘Breathless Blush’ euphorbia gives customers a showy, free-flowering and stocky plant well suited to solo and mixed containers. Offered in the all-new color Blush along with the popular White, it is a versatile and multi-use series hot with gardeners.