Thursday, April 15, 2010

What's NEW for 2011?

posted by George
Every year, about this time, plant companies from all over the world gather along 460 miles of the west coast of California to show off their varieties. At about 22 locations from San Diego to San Jose, more than 40 displays are set up for growers, retailers & brokers to see thousands of beautiful annual plants including new varieties for next year (2011). We have been coming here for years to photograph & learn about countless plants the world's greatest breaders have to offer. We use this opportunity to evaluate what's available, which plants will perform well, and select new plants to grow in the future. Here are some "sneak peaks" of some of the new plants we may be offering in 2011!
Begonia 'Gryphon'

A Rex begonia from seed! I believe this will be one of the more popular annuals for 2011, because it produces a full, saleable plant much more economically, & quicker than conventional methods. This shade loving plant may be grown in beds or containers, and, like most begonias, it makes a beautiful houseplant as well. The silvery leaves have an equally attractive maroon reverse.


Begonia 'Illumination Gold Picotee'

This addition to the 'Illumination' series of cascading tuberous begonias adds a beautiful orange & gold bi-color flower to the palette. This is ideal for hanging baskets, but may also be used as a component in shady combinations. These are easy-to-grow plants that require very little maintenance.


Calibrachoa ' Superbells Coralberry Punch'
This flower has a unique combination of colors. The outer coral edge surrounds a deep orange interior with a yellow center. Like most calibrachoa, it has a trailing habit that is ideal for hanging baskets, or as the floriferous trailing component in container combinations. Grow in full or part sun.




Canna 'Tropical Bronze Scarlet'

This addition to the 'Tropical' series of the first seed grown bronze-leaf canna! Seed is one of the few methods available for producing virus-free cannas. Plants grow about 3' tall, and produce deep scarlet red flowers above bronze-tinged foliage. I have already sown some of these to sample for this year, and am looking forward to seeing the results. Full or part sun.


Dahlia 'Lucky Face'

The photo here says it all; a unique combination of colors on one, very showy flower! Blooms are about 4" across on compact plants that grow about 15" tall. Like other Dahlias, 'Lucky Face' thrives in full sun.





Iberis 'Aboslutely Amethyst'
This is one of the few new perennials featured at the California Spring Trials this year. Perennial candytuft traditionally bloom pure white in spring. 'Absolutely Amethyst' has a completely different look with this new color! Plants do exhibit some rebloom in fall. Iberis are long-lived perennials that form mounds about 8 - 12" tall and 18 - 24" wide.




Impatiens 'Patchwork Peach Prism'
This new color combination promises to be stunning in hanging baskets, and inspiring for shady combinations. Unlike traditional bedding impatiens, this one is grown from cuttings. Best grown in full or part shade.





Petunia 'Black Velvet'
This plant gets us as close as we can get to a black flowering bedding plant. These upright plants produce flowers all summer in full or part sun, but will require some deadheading. The developers are emphasizing that this color goes with everything. From what I saw here in California, I think they are right.




Petunia 'Easy Wave Pink Dawn'
I'm seeing dozens of new petunias out here, but a new wave is always good news. This wave is baby pink with a vibrant white center. It combines beautifully with some of the other colors, but also shows stunningly on its own. These self cleaning plants will spread and form a carpet of low maintenance color in full or part sun.

Petunia 'Potunia Papaya'
Potunias are the mounding version of the perfect petunia. 'Potunias' are compact and self-cleaning; they are great for bedding, as a components plant, and in hanging baskets. This is a stunning new color like no other in the petunia palette: sort of a cross between coral and orange.


Scaevola 'Suntastic'

This is the world's first yellow scaevola! The flowering is still light, and the flowers are somewhat small, but nonetheless, a breading breakthrough! If it performs nearly as well as its blue & occasionally pink cousins, this is the beginning of something interesting. Good for hanging baskets in full or part sun.



Verbena 'Estrella Voodoo Star'
I saw this plant in three different places out here, where it stood out from the rest each time. The trailing plants seem very floriferous & vigorous. This verbena is sure to draw some attention next spring!