The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers selected hydrangea ‘Limelight’ as the fresh cut and amaranthus ‘Hot Biscuits’ as the dried cut flower of the year.
‘Limelight’ has long, strong and straight stems. It can be harvested at three different stages: Immature heads with some green showing; fully mature heads with white bracts; or past mature with rosy-pink bracts. Plants are fast growing and may be harvested the year after planting.
Unlike most cuts, the postharvest life lengthens as the heads mature and the bracts age. Vaselife of immature heads is 12 days; for older heads, it’s 14 days.
Pinch young shoots in spring to increase stem number and decrease head size.
‘Limelight’ is a Proven Winners selection.
‘Hot Biscuits’ has tall plumes of densely packed, tiny golden-brown flowers. Support is required because the heads are so large. For smaller stems, pinch plants when young or cut the main spike early and harvest the laterals. For dried or fresh use, harvest after the plumes are well developed but before the seed matures to avoid shattering during handling.
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‘Hot Biscuits’ is propagated by seed and was introduced by K. Sahin Zaden B.V. in 1996.
For more: Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, (440) 774-2887; www.ascfg.org.