Whether grown for pot plant culture or for use in landscape plantings, S&G Flowers’ new Aubrieta hybrida Axcent series offers some major improvements over other varieties on the market. Part of the company’s A Cut Above program, the vegetatively-propagated series consists of six colors: Antique Rose, Blue with Eye, Deep Purple, Lilac, Magenta and Violet with Eye.
Production time is faster than other varieties and plants finish in cooler weather. Plants flower early (March/April) and have a longer flowering period of up to eight weeks during spring, which provides them with a much longer shelflife. The large flowers have an average diameter of 3/4-1 inch. Plants have a compact, rounded habit reaching a 4-6 inches tall and 12-14 inches wide. Because of their tighter habit, plants hold their shape, don’t flop over and tend to be less disease prone. Plants are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7.
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The Axcent series can be planted in fall or spring. For fall production, plants need to be grown as cool as possible, similar to pansy production, to keep growth compact and uniform. Plants don’t require a significant vernalization period, but they will not flower without some cooling. Temperatures should be similar to those for pansy production, three to four weeks (non-cumulative) of sub-45°F nights.
For spring planting, aubrieta can be finished from a January or February plant date. Plants still need to be grown cool (50°F nights, 70°F days) or they will flower before they finish filling out the pot. Plants started in January and February will need to be grown in protected production.
Plant one rooted 105- or 125-cell plug per 4-inch or 1-quart container. Use three plugs for each 1-gallon container. Use a well-drained growing medium with a low fertility level and pH of 6.5 to 7. Grow plants in full sun.
Plants can be trimmed back in late autumn if they start to grow too large.
For production in Zones 4-6, transplant plugs during Weeks 27-36. During this time outdoor production is possible. For plugs transplanted during Weeks 36-48, plants require protected production space for early-spring flowering.
In Zones 7-9, grow plants outside or in a cold frame. Production in a cold frame will result in a two- to four-week earlier crop.
For 4-inch production, one rooted plug per pot in early fall, allowed to bulk up growth, will finish for early-spring sales. This is the same crop time for a 1-gallon container planted with three plugs. For 1-gallon containers planted with only one plug, add six weeks to the production time for plants to adequately fill in.
Only disease of concern is Botrytis.
For more: S&G Flowers, (800) 323-7253; fax (630) 969-9456; http://greendemon.net/retail.
Specific
Name: Aubrieta hybrida
Crop timing: Four-inch pots planted with one 105- or 125-cell rooted liner or 1-gallon containers planted with three 105- or 125-cell rooted liners finish in four to six months. For 1-gallon containers planted with one plug per pot add six weeks to the production time. Plants can be produced from fall and spring plantings. Plants require a vernalization period of three to four weeks (non-cumulative) of sub-45°F nights to flower consistently.
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Grower benefits: Low-maintenance plants. Multiple uses for landscape plantings, specimen plants and combination containers. Very few pest problems.