The new ‘Canary Wings’ Begonia from Ball Ingenuity offers a unique look for a plant that is a staple in gardens around the world. ‘Canary Wings’ has bright foliage with beautiful, red blooms all season long. ‘Canary Wings’ was found in a greenhouse in Ohio, and following several years of development, this plant continues to shine in uniqueness and performance. The foliage comes out yellow and eventually changes to chartreuse throughout the year. It is a great option for shade baskets, pots, and combinations.

Asperello T34 Biocontrol from Biobest USA is a biofungicide that contains the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma asperellum strain T34. It has multiple modes of action. Asperello colonizes the roots, forms a barrier against pathogens, and supports healthy root growth. Asperello triggers a plant’s natural defense mechanisms, and it parasitizes and actively kills pathogens. It is used in a preventative way to protect ornamentals against major root diseases, including Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia. Asperello T34 is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute for organic use.

Judges were drawn to this collection of new animal-themed ceramic containers from Carol’s Gift & Garden that are perfect for succulents and other small plants. The whimsical styles come in several designs and multiple colors and included an alpaca, dogs, chickens, and more.

Having a consistent flow of fresh Florida tropical plants throughout the year is a challenge for smaller retailers. Heart of Florida Greenhouses has an excellent option. It has partnered with FedEx Freight to change LTL foliage shipping. With easy-to-figure cost and consistent service, the 40Wx48Lx39H pallet box is great for shipping. The company carefully stages and stacks boxes to maximize its capacity. One box can fit an average of 40 to 50 cubes of material. Pallets ship out Monday and Tuesday each week, and FedEx Priority Freight will deliver the same week. When boxes are packed to capacity, the program is competitive with cube rates offered by foliage LTL shippers, and requires only half the cube volume for delivery.

The Under the Sea Coleus Collection from Hort Couture has six new additions: ‘Electric Eel,’ ‘Pink Scallop,’ ‘Magic Coral,’ ‘Black Coral,’ ‘Fire Coral,’ and ‘Red Snapper.’

Hort Couture has introduced five new Edible Kale. ‘Edibliss Italian Lace’ is lacy leaved, frilly, and a wonderful texture on the plate or in the mixed container. ‘Edibliss Italian Black’ is a large-growing, very dark, warty variety with improved sugar content. ‘Edibliss Italian Pink’ has bright pink-red stems that make it glow in containers or on the dinner plate. It is sweet flavored compared to regular Tuscan kale. ‘Edibliss Italian Blue’ is a large, flat-leaved tuscan kale that is beautiful, with highly metallic-looking leaves that are a nice sky-blue color. ‘Edibliss Blanc’ looks ornamental but is very sweet and delicious.

Petunia ‘Glamouflage Pink Lemonade’ is new with citrus-yellow variegated leaves and very early hot-pink flowers.

This new sunflower from Monrovia was awarded third place in this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year competition. It provides extraordinary summer color with large, vibrant blooms. This multi-branching, heat tolerant, non-invasive annual produces more than 1,000 flowers in a single season throughout summer until first frost.

The Seaside Serenade Hydrangea Series, first introduced in 2016, is continuing to expand, and now features nine varieties for 2019. ‘Seaside Serenade Martha’s Vineyard’ has long-lasting, pink-red mophead blooms that are not influenced by soil pH. Flowers develop a lovely green tinge as they age. A compact, reblooming variety with lush, dark-green foliage, it works well for massing in the landscape or for use in containers.

Netherland Bulb has developed a floating plant system that includes large, lightweight containers filled with water and aquatic plants added in via floating containers to create floating water gardens. Their grower, Andy Pollock, says there are many options a retailer has to introduce this easy system for the retail customer to enjoy in their own water garden.

Pride Garden Products continues to expand its offerings for vertical wall planters. The line includes both metal and wood looks, many include AquaSav Coco Liners, and some even have a stand for displaying free-standing. This assortment of creative designs complements today’s trend of uses for succulents in the home or office.

New for retailers in 2019, this new hybrid from Proven Winners is the first Italian sweet basil that is resistant to downy mildew, a disease that often plagues basil. And since it’s sterile, this large, vigorous plant produces a higher yield of usable, deliciously aromatic leaves. Judges were amazed at its form and vigor.

These new Suntory introductions of Brindabella Roses, developed by Australian breeders John and Sylvia Gray, focus on tough shrub roses that are equally disease resistant. They also bring back great fragrances. Seven colors will be offered in this tough, disease-resistant rose. Watch for Brindabella Roses available for the 2019 spring season at retail.

Judges were drawn to these Very Cool Stuff Coffee Mug planters featuring butterflies and lady bugs. They will make the ideal combination with a small plant for the office desk or whimsical home décor.

Following the loss of most barberries in the landscape because of their seed and invasive habit, SynRG and Willoway Nurseries have introduced two new sterile varieties. Fifteen years in development, ‘WorryFree Crimson Cutie Barberry,’ is the first in a series of sterile barberries introduced to the market by SynRG Growers. In addition, it has also introduced a new gold-leaf variety called ‘WorryFree Lemon Glow Barberry.’ Both are expected to be available for retailers in 2019.