Saturday marked the trials’ official start, and Ecke Ranch’s display featured trends their design center is tracking. By showcasing new ways plants can be presented, growers, garden centers and landscape contractors can better position themselves to market successfully to consumers.
Ecke also introduced its new Fusion geranium series with its Fusion Flame. This interspecific cross combines the best characteristics of zonal and ivy geraniums. The Fusion was bred to give growers a fast growing, early-to-flower plant that can be used in baskets, combinations and containers. It’s part of the Eck-O Collection of sustainable plants, which require fewer energy inputs in production and no growth regulators.
Ecke’s new hybrid Antirrhinum Dragon series is an open-faced snapdragon series that starts with three cultivars: Butterfly, Peachy and Rosey. Bred by Fred Yates, these fragrant flowering plants can be used in landscapes, in container combinations and as fresh cuts. Plants provide early spring season color and then continue to flower through the summer.
Costa del Sol is a new verbena series that starts with three colors: Magenta, Pink and White. Bred in Spain by Garnia Plant Breeding, these mounding plants are early flowering and mildew tolerant. Plants can be used in containers and hanging baskets.
Down the road in Bonsall, Calif., EuroAmerican Propagators hosted the rest of Proven Winners’ partners and unveiled its own new varieties.
Iberis Absolutely Amethyst is a breakthrough color. This interspecific plant produces unique amethyst flowers starting to bloom in late April to mid-May. Hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 4, this full sun plant reaches 10-12 inches tall and 10-14 inches wide.
Mecardonia Goldust is an improvement of the old Goldflake. This heat-loving plant flowers six weeks earlier producing an abundance of small yellow flowers all summer long. The compact plant reaches 3 inches tall and 12-16 inch spread and can be used in landscape and monoculture containers.
Proven Winners’ partner Four Star Greenhouse has launched the Proven Selections Tasty Treats line of herbs and vegetables, which includes combinations like spaghetti, salsa and taco. Plants will be available this year as finished containers for retailers and as liners to key account growers in 2011.
Click here to view video coverage of the spring trials.