Tropical delights

January is the time when Suntory Flowers shines the spotlight on its revolutionary Sun Parasol mandevilla series, which has grown to span about 20 colors in five distinctive groups or styles. Sun Parasol hybrids are known for superior garden performance, flower power and breakthrough colors. When it comes to thriving in summer heat and humidity, Sun Parasol can’t be beat. Three new varieties will debut at the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) in Fort Lauderdale.

Sun Parasol Designer White
Designer White brings an entirely new form to Sun Parasol mandevillas. Plants full of classy white blooms grow into elegant bushes with sturdy stems that don’t need to be supported by stakes or trellises. Vigorous growth makes them natural to train as a standard tree form or topiary. The breeders from Suntory are excited to introduce this new category of Sun Parasol to the premium market.

Sun Parasol StrawberrySun Parasol Strawberry
Strawberry is a delicious new color in the Sun Parasol Original group. Bushy plants feature vibrant light red blooms with dense, vigorous growth and superior disease resistance. Compact plants are perfect for patio pots, hanging baskets, window boxes and balconies.

Sun Parasol Giant Dark Pink
The new Sun Parasol Giant Dark Pink offers superior branching and upright, vigorous growth to create stunning patio pots. Four-inch blooms begin with a two-tone effect and deepen to a dark, rich pink. Sun Parasol Giant mandevillas are premium plants that thrive through the heat of summer. They like it hot.

New twist on Tecoma
One tropical landscape plant that’s new to Suntory is Tecoma. The breeders have created Sun Trumpets in Yellow and Orange. Tecoma is related to trumpet vine but grows like a bush. Traditionally, plants have been large and unruly. But the Sun Trumpets are compact and early flowering in 4-inch pots, reinventing the possibilities for landscape and container plantings. These varieties will also tolerate cooler conditions than typical tecomas, opening possibilities to northern regions.