Medal Of Excellence Winner: Geranium Caliente And Calliope By Syngenta Flowers
June 18, 2009 
The ongoing development of Goldsmith’s interspecific geranium breeding is evident in the four new introductions for 2010. The Caliente and Calliope series of hybrid geraniums are the result of many years of refining ivy-zonal crosses to bring together the best features of each type and establish a new premium geranium class. Both series offer vivid flower colors and tremendous branching characteristics.
When ‘Calliope Dark Red’ was introduced last year, it was greeted with record-setting sales numbers. The series adds Scarlet Fire to its color range. The Calliopes’ well-branched, vigorous and mounding habit make them ideal in baskets, large pots and landscape applications. The large semi-double flowers bloom in full sun to part shade conditions.
Since its 2005 introduction, the Caliente series has been recognized in numerous North American trials as the most heat-tolerant species on the market. The three new 2010 colors are Hot Coral, Pink and Orange. Rich, dark green leaves make the flower color jump from the foliage. The remaining four colors have a medium green leaf but share the same attributes.
For the grower, Calientes offer a naturally dense, mounding plant habit, early flowering and outstanding edema resistance. For consumers, plants provide a continous supply of carefree color all summer under extreme conditions.
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