Variety Shorts
June 20, 2008 
Showy Roses
The 2007 Easy Elegance Rose Collection features several new varieties, including ‘Pink Pearls,’ ‘Snowdrift’ and ‘Sweet Fragrance.’
‘Pink Pearls’ looks as though it’s strewn with multitudes of little, pink pearls. Frilly petals open wide, revealing a white eye and golden stamens. Sturdy and low growing with a tight, compact habit, the plant is attractive in the front of mixed borders or in decorative pots. Disease resistant, it is accepting of less-than-perfect growing conditions.
‘Snowdrift’s’ habit is upright and uniform with blooms covering the plant all the way to the ground. Gorgeous, full, cup-shaped blossoms are creamy white with just a hint of apricot in the center as they open. ‘Snowdrift’ is reminiscent of English roses. Each cluster of blossoms retains its pure color before dropping cleanly. This hardy, disease-resistant beauty is at home in any border and also makes a graceful hedge.
‘Sweet Fragrance’s’ hybrid tea-shaped buds in tropical tints of coral and orange with a deep-yellow base swirl open to full, sweetly fragrant, apricot blossoms. Each bloom matures to salmon-pink, adding interest with the range of color. Clusters of buds and blooms are held on sturdy canes making them perfect for cutting. This is a vigorous, upright grower with excellent disease resistance. For more information, visit www.easyeleganceroses.com.
Quality Caladiums
ABBOTT-IPCO has added several new caladium varieties to its lineup, including ‘Moonlight,’ ‘Candyland’ and ‘Blizzard.’
Bred for forcing in 4- to 8-inch containers, ‘Moonlight’ caladium makes a great pot plant. In the landscape it prefers partially sunny to shady locations, as it burns in full sun. ‘Moonlight’ is similar in appearance to ‘June Bride’ but offers a better pot habit.
Caladium ‘Candyland’ is a patent-applied-for recent introduction from Bob Hartman’s breeding program. It is a beautiful, lance-leaved (strap) variety that can stand full sun. It makes an excellent 4- to 8-inch pot with or without de-eying. Similar to ‘Gingerland,’ ‘Candyland’ has a white background, but unlike ‘Gingerland,’ it has pink spots and pink main veins and also features much broader leaves. In bright light, ‘Candyland’ will have an overall pink appearance.
‘Blizzard’ is similar in appearance to ‘White Christmas,’ except that its main veins are white as opposed to green. ‘Blizzard’ can be used for forcing in 4- to 8-inch containers, though it should be de-eyed for the best habit. ‘Blizzard’ makes a great landscape plant, especially in partially sunny to shady locations. It is more sun tolerant than ‘Moonlight.’
For more information, visit www.abbott-ipco.com or contact [email protected].
Subscribe to eNewsletter
