California Spring Trials 2018: New Plant Intros from GroLink and Windmill Nursery Stops
GroLink and Windmill Nursery made for a full-day immersion in plants for the Greenhouse Grower team of Editor Laura Drotleff, Managing Editor Janeen Wright, Contributing Editor Allan Armitage, and Allan Armitage scholarship winner Andrew Scheldorf.
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Anthura 'Andora' (Anthura)
Anthura 'Andorra' is an important need variety for Anthura this year, with its double spikes and purple color. Retailers in Europe and increasingly in the U.S. will only buy double spike varieties.
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Artemisia 'Makana Silver' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
Artemisia ‘Makana Silver’ from Terra Nova Nurseries is so touchable, and it roots like a coleus. TC and URCs available.
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SuperCal Premium Autumn Spice Mix (Kientzler/Sakata)
@Janeen_GG: Two new combo options in Petachoa hybrid SuperCal Premium petunias for fall - Autumn Spice and Bonfire Mix - from Sakata breeding.
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Bluesy Diva Combo (Suntory Flowers)
@Laura_GG_Editor: This new combo from Suntory Flowers, Bluesy Diva, is a monoculture combo of its excellent Surdiva scaevola genetics. Surdiva scaevola and Surfinia petunia monoculture combos do well for the breeder.
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SuperCal Premium Bonfire Mix (Kientzler/Sakata Ornamentals)
@Janeen_GG: Two new combo options in Petachoa hybrid SuperCal Premium petunias for fall - Autumn Spice and Bonfire Mix - from Sakata breeding.
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Brindabella Roses (Suntory Flowers)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Brindabella Roses are new from Suntory Flowers this year. The 7-color series is highly disease resistant to black spot and powdery mildew, AND stacked with fragrance. It's self-cleaning and reaches 4 inches in height by 4 inches in width. Very exciting!
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Calendula 'Orange' (Kientzler)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Did you know Calendula is used for diaper rash? Well, not this one from Kientzler, because it's a hybrid. But yeah. Calendula.
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Begonia 'Crown Jewel' (J. Berry Nursery)
@Laura_Editor_GG: J. Berry Nurseries' new line of Crown Jewel Begonias are premium, starting with the genetics all the way to the brilliant marketing.
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Dahlia 'Mystic Wizard' (PlantHaven)
@Janeen_GG: I love the dark foliage on Dahlia ‘Mystic Wizard’ from PlantHaven. This is a great pollinator plant with self-supporting stems. It’s a stouter plant if you control the heat.
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Double Flowered Strawberries (ABZ Seeds)
@Janeen_GG: ABZ Seeds has double-flowered strawberries - 'Summer Breeze Pink' and 'Summer Breeze Rose.' Proven Winners will have a full supply. Seed available after July 1.
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Foxtail Fern (J. Berry Nursery)
@Janeen_GG: J. Berry Nursery showed a sneak peek of a unique Foxtail fern. The foliage starts green, turns white, then peach. If all goes well, it will be available for 2020.
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Gaura 'Silver Fountain' (PlantHaven)
@Janeen_GG: The new Gaura ‘Walberton’s Silver Fountain’ from PlantHaven is a variegated form with sterile white flowers. It’s a North American prairie native hardy to Zone 5.
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Geum 'Tempo Yellow' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
@Janeen_GG: Another great pollinator plant from Terra Nova Nurseries. Geum ‘Tempo Yellow’ has dark stems and semi-double flowers. What’s not to like?
@Laura_GG_Editor: So in love with these Geum 'Tempo Yellow' from Terra Nova Nurseries. They are bright and cute, with happy little flowers over pretty foliage. What's not to love?
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Leucanthemum 'Adorable' and 'Coconut' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Meet Adorable (left) and Coconut (right) Leucanthemum (bet you thought I was talking about the bear and monkey, right?) from Terra Nova Nurseries.
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New Guinea Impatiens 'Magenta Eye' (Kientzler)
@Janeen_GG: Kientzler’s New Guinea Impatiens ‘Paradise Magenta Eye’ is going to give top seller ‘Paradise Rose Flair’ a run for its money.
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Osteospermum Summer Smile Series (Kientzler)
@Janeen_GG: Kientzler’s Osteospermum Summer Smile series is bred for heat tolerance. I’m all for any osteo that lasts longer into the summer.
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Penstemon 'Dakota Burgundy' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
@Janeen_GG: Terra Nova Nurseries’ new Penstemon ‘Dakota Burgundy’ flowers at rack height with no vernalization or PGRs. It might be the next rival for heuchera.
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Petunia 'Veranda Double Sugar Plum' (Kientzler)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Petunia 'Veranda Double Sugar Plum' from Kientzler is an improvement on existing double petunias in the industry. This variety has tight flowers and a very compact habit. More colors on the way in the next year.
@Janeen_GG: The Petunia ‘Veranda Double Sugar Plum’ at Kientzler is a stunner. It has a tight habit that doesn’t open in the center. Its weather resistance limits botrytis. It’s so nice to see something unique in petunias.
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Ponchi Tomatoes (Prudac)
@Laura_GG_Editor: This ultra tiny tomato from Prudac can be used in mini combos with other mini veggies for interest and fun.
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Pericallis 'Senetti Magic Salmon' (Suntory Flowers)
@Laura_GG_Editor: 'Senetti Magic Salmon' Pericallis from Suntory Flowers would be a great early spring item for Easter. The colors are somewhat psychedelic and very eye-catching!
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Sweet and Sturdy Tomatoes (Prudac)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Sweet and Sturdy tomatoes from Prudac are part of the company's mission to bring small, snackable plants to consumers, allowing them to display it indoors, eat the fruit, then plant outside, and buy more plants for inside.
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Hollywood Hibiscus (J. Berry Nursery)
@Laura_GG_Editor: Trust me when I tell you that you are going to want to know what this little baby flower grows up to be. Stay tuned for the big reveal this summer of J. Berry Nursery's new line of hardy hibiscus, in colors you never imagined possible!
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Cyclamen 'Mammoth Red Improved' (Schoneveld Breeding)
@Janeen_GG: Schoneveld Breeding has improved its Cyclamen Red Mammoth. It's a true Christmas red. Can't you just see this in gold or silver pots for Christmas sales? Or how about Mammoth White mixed with poinsettias?
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Cyperus Zumba (Evanthia)
@Janeen_GG: Does your cat have hairballs? Here's the remedy - Cyperus Zumba from Evanthia.
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Platycodon 'Corsa Blue' (Evanthia)
@Janeen_GG: Three new platycodon from Evanthia - White, Pink, and Blue. Limited seeds available for the market.
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Gerberas at Florist Holland
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Cauliflower from Prudac
Baby cauliflower from Prudac is just one of the great miniature vegetables the breeder has available for cute, interesting, snackable combinations.
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Prudac Peppers
These snackable Mamba Red F1 Rocket Peppers from Prudac start out black and turn to a dark red. Lots of ornamental value to this pepper.
View all
Anthura 'Andora' (Anthura)
Artemisia 'Makana Silver' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
SuperCal Premium Autumn Spice Mix (Kientzler/Sakata)
Bluesy Diva Combo (Suntory Flowers)
SuperCal Premium Bonfire Mix (Kientzler/Sakata Ornamentals)
Brindabella Roses (Suntory Flowers)
Calendula 'Orange' (Kientzler)
Begonia 'Crown Jewel' (J. Berry Nursery)
Dahlia 'Mystic Wizard' (PlantHaven)
Double Flowered Strawberries (ABZ Seeds)
Foxtail Fern (J. Berry Nursery)
Gaura 'Silver Fountain' (PlantHaven)
Geum 'Tempo Yellow' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
Leucanthemum 'Adorable' and 'Coconut' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
New Guinea Impatiens 'Magenta Eye' (Kientzler)
Osteospermum Summer Smile Series (Kientzler)
Penstemon 'Dakota Burgundy' (Terra Nova Nurseries)
Petunia 'Veranda Double Sugar Plum' (Kientzler)
Ponchi Tomatoes (Prudac)
Pericallis 'Senetti Magic Salmon' (Suntory Flowers)
Sweet and Sturdy Tomatoes (Prudac)
Hollywood Hibiscus (J. Berry Nursery)
Cyclamen 'Mammoth Red Improved' (Schoneveld Breeding)
Cyperus Zumba (Evanthia)
Platycodon 'Corsa Blue' (Evanthia)
Gerberas at Florist Holland
Cauliflower from Prudac
Prudac Peppers
Breeders at Suntory Flowers, Terra Nova Nurseries, Prudac, Florist, PlantHaven, Anthura, Kapiteyn, Kientzler, and 2 Plant International were just a few of the companies showing their products at GroLink and Windmill Nursery. Several trends stood out to the team, including more options in foliage plants and snackable veggies, and there were a couple of sneak peeks you’ll want to know about. There were also some great marketing concepts you might be able to replicate at your business to get your plants noticed.
Check out some of the new plant varieties that stood out to the team, and be sure to follow them on Twitter (@Laura_Editor_GG; @Janeen_GG) for the latest updates from the spring trials trail. Plus, don’t forget to come back later for more in-depth coverage of the trials online and in the June print issue.
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Janeen Wright is former Editor for Greenhouse Grower. See all author stories here.
Laura Drotleff is a former Editor for Greenhouse Grower. See all author stories here.