California Spring Trials 2018: New Varieties to Watch From American Takii, Hilverdakooijj, Hem Genetics, Thompson & Morgan, Sakata Ornamentals, and Ernst Benary of America
Visits to American Takii, Hilverdakooijj, Hem Genetics, Thompson & Morgan, Sakata Ornamentals, and Ernst Benary of America kept Greenhouse Grower Editor Laura Drotleff, Managing Editor Janeen Wright, Contributing Editor Allan Armitage, and Allan Armitage scholarship winner Andrew Scheldorf busy today as we continued North on day four of California Spring Trials 2018. A few trends with varieties are beginning to take shape. Breeders are simplifying the categorization of existing lines to make things easier for growers and consumers, bringing flower fragrance back, and focusing on sunflowers. This along with a continued focus on sturdy, compact plants that hold up during shipping and continue to look good after the consumer gets them home.
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Argyranthemum 'Aramis Apricot' (Benary+)
@Janeen_GG: I loved the old-fashioned color on Argyranthemum ‘Aramis Apricot’ at Benary+. It was hard to find a combo it didn’t look good in.
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Fuchsia 'Fuchsita Red-Blue' (Benary+)
@Janeen_GG: New color to Benary+’s Fuchsia Fuchsitas line - red-blue.
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Capsicum 'Onyx Red' (American Takii)
@Janeen_GG: Give Capsicum ‘Onyx Red’
@AmericanTakii lean feed and hold the water and it will berry up short. It should be a good choice for containers. -
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Pansy 'Cello Raspberry Surprise' (Hem Genetics)
@Janeen_GG: Hem Genetics has a new pansy color out - ‘Cello Raspberry Surprise.’
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Cosmos ‘Apricot Lemonade’ (Thompson & Morgan)
@Janeen_GG: Cosmos ‘Apricot Lemonade’ from seed works well for patio pots, borders, and containers. You’ll find it
@ThompsonMorgan. -
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Dahlia 'Lubega Red' (Benary+)
@Janeen_GG: The huge, see-me-red blooms on this new Dahlia ‘Lubega Red’ were hard to miss at Benary+.
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Petunia 'Evening Scentsation' (American Takii)
@Janeen_GG: I still like the loose, open habit, iridescent petals, and scent on the 'Evening Scentsation' Petunia
@AmericanTakii. -
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Experimental Delphinium (American Takii)
@Janeen_GG: We need more vivid,electric-blue delphiniums, like this experimental one
@AmericanTakii It was a favorite of Costa Farms growers. -
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Experimental Helianthus (American Takii)
@Janeen_GG: Sunflowers,sunflowers, sunflowers, short (Smiley) and tall
@AmericanTakii. Sunflowers are one of three categories big box retailers are interested in, along with delphiniums and capsicums. -
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Helianthus 'Smiley' (American Takii)
@Laura_Editor_GG: These flowers are huge....or yuge. However you pronounce it, I think you will like naturally compact, large-flowered Smiley helianthus from American Takii.
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Helianthus 'Sunbelievable Brown Eyed Girl' (Thompson & Morgan)
@Janeen_GG: Thompson & Morgan’s vegetative ‘Sunbelieveable Brown Eyed Girl’ Sunflower has sterile flowers and is daylength neutral. It’s licensed to Monrovia in North America.
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Super Hero Marigold Series (Ernst Benary of America)
@Janeen_GG: Benary launched the new Super Hero French Marigold series in honor of its own personal superhero Fritz Benary. ‘Super Hero Spry’ is an All-American Selection winner.
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Super Hero Marigold Series (Ernst Benary of America)
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SuperCal Premium Bonfire Mix (Sakata Ornamentals)
@Janeen_GG: The SuperCal Premium combos
@FlowersBySakata should be popular mixes for fall. There are five new colors in the SuperCal Premium line. -
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SuperCal Premium Mix - Cinnamon and French Vanilla (Sakata Ornamentals)
@Janeen_GG: The SuperCal Premium combos
@FlowersBySakata should be popular mixes for fall. There are five new colors in the SuperCal Premium line. -
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Zinnia 'Profusion Lemon' (Sakata Ornamentals)
@Janeen_GG: Lemon is the newest addition to the
@FlowersBySakata Zinnia Profusion line. -
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Celosia 'Century Salmon Pink' (Sakata Ornamentals)
@Janeen_GG: 'Salmon Pink' Celosia from @FlowersBySakata has full-size plumes on stronger, long stems. Its great for containers, in the garden, or as a cut flower. It also tolerates the heat.
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Dahlia 'Rebel Powerpuff' (Hilverdakooij)
@Janeen_GG: Four new Rebel Dahlias from @hilverdakooijbv for 6-inch to gallon production.
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Dahlia 'Rebel Skitty' (Hilverdakooij)
@Janeen_GG: Four new Rebel Dahlias from @hilverdakooijbv for 6 inch to gallon production.
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Echinacea 'Moodz Cosy' (Hilverdakooij)
@Janeen_GG: Do you want a good plant to promote as a hummingbird attractor? @hilverdakooijbv has three new Moodz echinacea intros this year. They'll be available for trialing in week 24.
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New Salvias (Hilverdakooij)
@Janeen_GG: One more hummingbird attractor. They're too new to even have a name, but @hilverdakooijbv salvias will be available for trialing in week 24 for growing in 1-gallon containers.
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SuperCals Premium Colors (Sakata Ornamentals)
@Laura_GG_Editor: The big introduction at @FlowersBySakata this year was its spicy and sassy new Premium colors in SuperCals. Ideal for larger containers, they perform through hail and rain, and will be available in a three-color mix for growers.
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Sakata Cut Flowers
@Laura_GG_Editor: A category that’s not widely served by breeders at CAST is cut flowers, but @FlowersBySakata has a number of cut flower series, like these favorites of mine.
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Mime Series (Sakata Ornamentals)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Stock plants smell amazing and @FlowersBySakata has two new colors, Blue and White, in its Mime series that sport double and single flowers, adding depth and interest.
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@Laura_GG_Editor: I’m excited to try out these new veggies from @VeggiesbySakata ...
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... especially the Lola banana ...
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... Trident Hot poblano peppers ...
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and this gorgeous Camaro slicer tomato.
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Begonia 'Senator IQ' (Sakata Ornamentals)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Senator IQ begonias are new from @FlowersBySakata this year. They’re a “no brainer” for containers and the landscape, the company says. Idon’t know about you, but I’d sure like to see more Senator IQs in our nation’s capitol!
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Geranium 'Marginata' (American Takii)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Zonal geranium ‘Marginata’ is a new garden variety for @AmericanTakii with thick black borders on its leaves. It looks great even without flowers.
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Canna South Pacific Series (American Takii)
@Laura_GG_Editor: New colors in @AmericanTakii South Pacific canna series, which are naturally shorter than many others on the market.
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Helianthus 'Smiley' (American Takii)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Helianthus ‘Smiley’ (short) and a taller experiemental variety for the garden (tall) are new to sunflower aficionado @AmericanTakii this year. Whereas ‘Smiley’ is ideal for pots and gardens, the taller variety is a more traditional garden sunflower.
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Delphinium from American Takii
@Laura_GG_Editor: This deep-blue experimental delphinium from @AmericanTakii is great for gardens and cut flowers. And look at that color saturation! Also available in a light pink.
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Bouganvillia from Vista Farms
@Laura_GG_Editor: Can you grow bouganvillia? Here’s a lovely mix in lilac and white shades from Vista Farms in Puerto Rico.
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Giant Zinnia from Benary
@Laura_GG_Editor: Benary’s Giant Zinnia is a classic favorite as one of the founding varieties of the company, established in 1843. With large flowers, it performs well in the garden and as a cut flower.
View all
Argyranthemum 'Aramis Apricot' (Benary+)
Fuchsia 'Fuchsita Red-Blue' (Benary+)
Capsicum 'Onyx Red' (American Takii)
Pansy 'Cello Raspberry Surprise' (Hem Genetics)
Cosmos ‘Apricot Lemonade’ (Thompson & Morgan)
Dahlia 'Lubega Red' (Benary+)
Petunia 'Evening Scentsation' (American Takii)
Experimental Delphinium (American Takii)
Experimental Helianthus (American Takii)
Helianthus 'Smiley' (American Takii)
Helianthus 'Sunbelievable Brown Eyed Girl' (Thompson & Morgan)
Super Hero Marigold Series (Ernst Benary of America)
Super Hero Marigold Series (Ernst Benary of America)
SuperCal Premium Bonfire Mix (Sakata Ornamentals)
SuperCal Premium Mix - Cinnamon and French Vanilla (Sakata Ornamentals)
Zinnia 'Profusion Lemon' (Sakata Ornamentals)
Celosia 'Century Salmon Pink' (Sakata Ornamentals)
Dahlia 'Rebel Powerpuff' (Hilverdakooij)
Dahlia 'Rebel Skitty' (Hilverdakooij)
Echinacea 'Moodz Cosy' (Hilverdakooij)
New Salvias (Hilverdakooij)
SuperCals Premium Colors (Sakata Ornamentals)
Sakata Cut Flowers
Mime Series (Sakata Ornamentals)
Begonia 'Senator IQ' (Sakata Ornamentals)
Geranium 'Marginata' (American Takii)
Canna South Pacific Series (American Takii)
Helianthus 'Smiley' (American Takii)
Delphinium from American Takii
Bouganvillia from Vista Farms
Giant Zinnia from Benary
Check out some of the new plant varieties that stood out to the team, and be sure to follow them on Twitter @Laura_Editor_GG; @Janeen_GG) for the latest updates from the spring trials trail. Plus, don’t forget to come back later for more in-depth coverage of the trials online and in the June print issue.
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Janeen Wright is former Editor for Greenhouse Grower. See all author stories here.
Laura Drotleff is a former Editor for Greenhouse Grower. See all author stories here.