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Allan Armitage: My Top Plant Selections From Day Two of the 2023 California Spring Trials

Allan Armitage By Allan Armitage|April 1, 2023

At the California Spring Trials (CAST), each day is as good as the one before. Today we visited PlantHaven, Pacific Plug and Liner (PP&L), Southern Living, and Dummen Orange. At each stop we were treated to the future, both in plant material and in programs being developed. I have been to CAST almost 20 times and I am not easily impressed, yet this evening I have no trouble sharing with you the plants that truly caught my eye. Here are a few from Day 2.

Gaillardia ‘Spintop Red Starbust’ Improved (Dümmen Orange)

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The Spintop series has been one of Dümmen’s best perennial introductions in many years. Growers, retailers, and gardeners have benefited from all the plants in the series. However, I could not walk past this beautiful large-flowered bicolor introduction without admiring the habit, branching and flower size. Well done!

Colocasia ‘Redemption’ (Southern Living/Sunset Plant Collection)

Colocasia has become well known for its bold tropical look that complements all garden vistas. As I walked by this plant, the first thing I noted was the bright pink, almost carmine blotch in the middle of the shiny rippled leaves. It will be a large plant, as many elephant ears are, but it will also be one of the most colorful. If colocasias have a place in your program, give this one a try.

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Echibeckia ‘Summerina Glow’ (Pacific Plug & Liner)

I have always had a little trouble believing in this group of plants. When they first were introduced, I was one of the disbelievers, yet having seen them flower all season in heat, humidity, and everything in between, I have become a bit of a believer. Walking past the latest efforts of the team at PP&L, and especially the new Summerina Glow, I am happy to pass on the good news to you. Echibeckia is real, and it is here to stay. Its beauty and performance has earned its way to my list of recommendations – find it, grow it, sell it!

Dahlia ‘Revelation Yellow’ (Dümmen Orange)

Modern bedding dahlias have never been a favorite of mine. They have always seemed to be too needy, needing digging up in the fall, needing help with disease and insect pressures, and seldom living up to the catalog photo. But oh boy, do I hope I am wrong with the Revelation series. They are impossible to walk past without a second look. The series sports dark leaves and handsome flowers but none darker and more handsome than ‘Revelation Yellow’. This is not for the faint of heart; it is a big plant best used in a large patio container. But I can guarantee that eyeballs will widen like saucers will and jaws will drop to the floor.

Sempervivum SuperSemps (PlantHaven)

How can you not like Hens and Chicks? Cute, fast growing and some amazing colors. PlantHaven has developed an excellent grower program offering liners of outstanding new introductions., I was most taken by ‘Chameleon’ and ‘Jasper’, the former with bright bicolor leaves, the latter with darker purple foliage. Hens and chicks may not be on everyone’s must-have list, but if looking for groundcovers with drought tolerance, heat tolerance, and a good deal of cold tolerance as well, the SuperSemp program is definitely worth a look.

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Allan Armitage was a professor in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia for 30 years. He recently retired and remains an active consultant, author and lecturer. See all author stories here.