Choosing Outstanding Combinations for Every Region

Choosing Outstanding Combinations for Every Region

Four Star’s Bundled Combination Kits are easy to order and simplify production. But with more than 300 combinations from which to choose, how do you decide what to order for your customers? With sales data, it doesn’t have to be a guessing game, and many growers look for the top ranked combinations by region each year. For Angie VanWashenova, Internal Sales Supervisor at Four Star, variety is key. “We understand that growing attention-grabbing hanging baskets or patio pots cannot be a one size fits all model, and that is why we offer over 300 beautiful combinations with a wide variety of color mixes, textures and shapes for our growers.”

Being both young plant and retail ready growers, Four Star has a unique perspective in understanding how the varieties grow as liners, and how they grow out in combinations. According to VanWashenova, “In the retail ready segment of our business, we track, in real time, how our plants are selling. We collect this variety-specific data and share with our growing partners what is hot.” One example of this is a new combination introduced this year in the Retail program, Beach Blanket Bingo, that will be available in the Bundled Combination Kit program. “This combo was a top seller for us in the retail segment, and we expect to see that bundled kit be a favorite this year with growers as well!”

All Four Star recipes have been trialed and tested to appeal to growers, resulting in attractive, easy-to-grow combinations that will flourish in all regions for the end consumer. But in each region some favorites have emerged, and VanWashenova shared some of the criteria for selecting these top-ranked combinations by region: multiple years of sales data, customer feedback to regional sales representatives and performative attributes, such as heat-and drought-tolerance.

Northeast (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT)
In the Northeast, Believe in Fairies, Candyland, Evening Breeze, Joy and Sweet Stars show strong sales among customers each year, with Avalon, Beach Sunset and Enchanted Garden tracking as popular combinations to segue into an early, colorful Fall season.

Midwest (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI)
Combinations like Believe in Fairies, Candy Store, Joy and The North Shore rank high among customers in the Midwest, appealing to growers for their strong performance across multiple seasons. Beach Sunset’s combination of Superbells^®, Superbenas^® and Supertunias^® will bring tropical warmth to the midwestern garden from Spring to Fall.

Central (AR, CO, LA, KS, MO, MS, MT, OK, TX, WY)
Aladdin’s Lamp, Fruit Fusion and Summer Fun are all strong sellers in the Central region, with standout combinations like Aloha and Breathtaking featuring superstar varieties like Supertunia^® Limoncello^® and Angelface^® Perfectly Pink. All these combinations show strong sales performance in this region, with customers appreciating vibrant colors and varieties that thrive, whether summer’s hottest days are humid or dry.

West (AZ, CA, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA)
Ada, Let’s Get Together, The North Shore and Summer Fun are strong performers in the western U.S., ranking high among growers who enjoy the versatility and dependability of a series like Superbells^® Calibrachoa. Good Deed, a popular choice in the West and across multiple regions, features Superbells^® Evening Star™ Improved, an outstanding variety that brings long-lasting color to many Proven Winners combinations.

South (AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, WV)
Combinations like Beach Sunset, Italian Ice, Santa Belle and Sun Kissed will flourish in the hot, humid summer months of the South. Drought tolerant varieties including Diamond Frost^® and Luscious^® Berry Blend™, both found in Spice of Life, are already favorites with customers in the South, with unmatched performance through a longer summer season.

Coast to Coast
Growers all over the country can be sure to find combinations that will work best for them based on regionality and season. Above & Beyond, a popular combination featuring some of the Supertunia^® series’ best performers, will naturally have a different growing season in Georgia than in Wisconsin. However, Above & Beyond, along with other finished combinations such as Bahama Beach, Bermuda Skies, Evening Breeze, Good Deed, Lilac Festival and Starry Night, continue to be top sellers in the Bundled Combination Kit program each year, maintaining popularity in every region of the U.S.

According to VanWashenova, Four Star’s range of combinations benefits a wide variety of customers in every region: “With the vast selection that we offer, there are options for any type of grower, regardless of who they are growing it for.”

For more information about best-selling combinations in your region, contact Four Star at 734-654-6420 or [email protected].