Variety Notebook

Eyeconic Melon Lemonade rose
Melon Lemonade is a new addition to the Eyeconic series of Hulthemia roses. Growing best in the Western United States, Melon Lemonade’s petals feature a blend of light pink and yellow, with a dark pink blotch surrounding the eye. Its cup-like blooms are 2.5 inches in diameter and give off a very slight fragrance. With deep green and glossy foliage, it has an upright and bushy habit, and grows to 4 feet in height and 3 feet in width. Melon Lemonade’s flowering is abundant and continuous.

For more: Star Roses and Plants/Conard-Pyle Co., www.conard-pyle.com

Geum ‘Cosmopolitan’
Featuring creamy white blooms with rosy pink edges on single and semi-double flowers, Cosmopolitan is another addition to Intrinsic Perennial Gardens Inc.’s Cocktails series of geum. With semi-evergreen foliage, its burgundy red stems reach at least 18 inches in height. Cosmopolitan starts blooming in late April or May, and continues for three to four weeks or more. It has a hardiness of Zone 4 to 9, and grows during the cooler temperatures, so it can be planted in early spring or fall.

For more: Intrinsic Perennial Gardens Inc., www.intrinsicperennialgardens.com

Elephant Gerbera
This oversized variety with giant, scarlet flowers provides a one-of-a-kind look for growers aiming to differentiate their offer. As a seed item, Elephant offers an ideal alternative to tissue culture liners and is suited for 6-inch and larger containers. As a giant flower type, it works wells in large, premium retail-ready patio planters and combinations. Thick, strong stems support up to 6-inch-wide flowers above robust plants that hold up well at retail and during handling.

For more: Syngenta Flowers, www.syngentaflowersinc.com

Insider Info: The hybrid geum Cocktails series lives longer than older chiloense varieties.