Garden Center magazine Editor Karen Varga is snapping photographs and shooting videos at the 2013 Spring Trials to bring you information about new varieties and other highlights from California.
There are more than two dozen videos posted that include interviews with Sakata, Dümmen and American Takii, to name a few, and cover a variety of topics such as pairing pansies and vegetables, creating eye-catching retail displays and finding alternatives to impatiens. Check out the multimedia tab at the top of the homepage each day for more updates, and stay tuned to our Facebook page to see photos of featured flowers and more.
Photo: Oglevee geraniums Regal, Elegance Burgundy Frost
Day 6:
Compact and celestial
Suntory's compact ‘Lofos’ lophospermum and Surfinia ‘Heavenly Blue’ petunia open new doors of opportunity for growers.
Heat it up
The ‘Sundiascia’ and ‘Sunbelia’ diascia and lobelia lines from Suntory offer good heat tolerance and improved habit.
Color and combinations
Siena Randall from EuroAmerican highlights the color and texture options available with Savvy Succulent dish gardens, and the retail potential of Pink Zazzle gomphrena.
Still going strong
With 50 varieties and an ever-strong rootstock, Plug Connection's Mighty 'Matos continue to intrigue growers and retailers alike.
Ripe with potential
Plug Connection's Nicole Jackson demonstrates 5 techniques for creating unique succulent container displays that will bring in more green for retailers.
Small and sweet
Indoors or out, Terra Nova Nurseries’ Little Cuties heucheras are compact, dense, and delightfully small in size
Day 5:
Spring Trials: Greetings from the coast
Garden Center editor Karen Varga brings the Pacific Coast Highway a little closer to readers.
Spring Trials: Terrific trio
The new Fusibles combinations use new precision multi-pellet technology to create more natural-looking combination planters.
Spring Trials: Exciting introductions
Flamingo Holland highlights its new Roselily Belonica and short-pot freesias with a tighter crop production.
Spring Trials: Move over, Hello Kitty!
Hip Hop viola’s cute bunny-like flowers are sure to be an early spring hit with children and adults alike.
Spring Trials: Magnificent mums
Grolink's colorful wall of Belgian Mums caught the eye of many Spring Trials attendees.
Spring Trials: Peppers for everyone
John Marchese, home garden business lead, shows us Seminis’ pepper choices, including a new jalapeno variety.
Day 4:
Merchandising matters
Tom Barwick of Floranova highlights two innovative display ideas for IGCs.
A better tomato
The Vegetalis line expands in 2014 with two new tomato varieties.
Helleborus highlights
Debbie Thorne puts Skagit’s newest Helleborus varieties front and center.
Beyond sassy
Skagit’s new Helenium ‘Short ‘n’ Sassy’ and ‘Beyond Blue’ fescue stand out from the rest.
Not too thirsty
Green Fuse Botanicals debuts its drought-tolerant Echeveria line Coral Reef with varieties in red, pink and aqua.
New beginnings
It’s going to be an exciting year for Fides with its new and improved varieties and recent company restructuring.
Day 3:
Fresh display ideas
American Takii provides IGCs with retail display ideas to help boost sales.
Keeping it under control
OHP's Dave Barcel explains how Augeo and Marengo give growers more control over their crops.
Sunny substitute
SunPatiens offer growers and retailers an attractive, sun-loving alternative to traditional impatiens.
Pansies love produce
Sakata's vegetable line combines perfectly with eye-catching ornamentals like pansies.
Summer getaways
From Main Street to Hawaii, Dümmen's new varieties allow you to travel the world ... if only in your own backyard.
Vogue varieties
The HGTV HOME Plant Collection expands its selection with three new annuals collections.
Day 2:
Zesty new varieties
Spring Meadow Nursery’s Gary Nienhuis gives us a preview into the new Proven Winners perennials for 2014.
Super flower power
These Proven Winners’ annuals are sure to please growers and retailers alike in 2014.
No more monkeying around
Breeder Rich Persoff introduces his new line of Mimulus plants, available in seven colors.
Fresh quality from Israel
Yoav Scholz highlights new genetics available from Cohen Propagation Nurseries.
Tall, strong and beautiful
Golden State Bulb Growers’ new calla lily varieties have richer color and offer greater versatility to growers and retailers.
Tried and true
Tom Lukens explains the research behind the successful varieties at Golden State Bulb Growers.
Day 1:
A touch of spring
Danziger’s Pericallis Spring Touch series offers high density in seven colors.
New in the neighborhood
Managing Director Matthias Redlefsen introduces Benary’s new North American research facility in California.
Cold hard savings
Osteospermum ‘Becca’ can thrive in temperatures 1 or 2 degrees below 0 Celsius, saving growers some green on heating.
Sock it to ‘em
Andrew Spencer highlights Thompson & Morgan’s Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Pink Pop Socks’ and ‘White Pop Socks’.
Perfect predators
Bioline’s predatory mite insects complement Syngenta’s comprehensive integrated crop management solutions.
Blazing new trails
Syngenta adds five bright new colors to its Wonderfall trailing pansy series.