April 2021 - 41

VAUGHN'S VIEW
performance in multiple trials,
deserves consideration in spring and
summer production programs.
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10. DIANTHUS 'CONSTANT
PROMISE RED'
GreenFuse Botanicals
This series includes White,
Raspberry, Strawberry and the
new Red for 2021. I highlighted
Strawberry in my April 2019 article
for its vibrant color, vigor, large
double flowers, flower presentation,
and impressive heat tolerance. The
Red replicated that performance in
the late spring and early summer
trials last year. This series is in the
GreenFuse Botanicals First Light
Perennials program and has day
length neutrality, no vernalization
requirement and flowers early in the
season. Additional features of this
series include fragrance, silver foliage
and uniformity. 'Constant Promise
Red' was in flower throughout the
late spring and summer, and the
reblooming power was impressive.
This is a Zone 4 series that matures
at 12 to 16 inches and has production
application in quarts and gallons.
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'Kismet Raspberry' in a perennial
article two years ago, and I am
now focusing on 'Kismet White'
from last year because of its
dynamic flowering in multiple
trials. Terra Nova has been
breeding, developing, marketing,
and trialing echinacea for over 25
years and the yearly introductions
get better and better. The
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attributes of the Kismet series are
numerous and include a mounded
and uniform habit, vigor, long
flowering cycle, flower stability,
diverse flower forms, large
flowers, and, most importantly,
a profuse flower canopy. This
is unquestionably one of the
finest echinacea series in the
market and, based on summer
11. AGASTACHE 'POQUITO
BUTTER YELLOW'
Terra Nova Nurseries
The Terra Nova agastache program
continues to set the standard for
excellence in breeding and the
introduction of stand alone varieties
and series that provide diversity in the
market. I have focused on the Terra
Nova standalone varieties, Morello
and Blue Boa, in previous articles and
for 2020 I have highlighted the new
'Poquito Butter Yellow'. The Poquito
series is considered one of the most
compact in the market; offers Zone
5 hardiness; has a bushy habit; and
has large, fragrant, prolific flowers.
'Poquito Butter Yellow' was floriferous
and colorful in the southern trials
in March and continued to manifest
durability and season long color in
the Northern trials in mid-September.
There are now four colors in the
series: Lavender, Orange, Dark Blue
and Butter Yellow. Many breeding
companies have introduced new
and exceptional agastache series
the past few years, and this expands
the grower options and provides the
consumer with a wide assortment
that are heat and drought tolerant
and pollinator magnets.
12. ORIGATUM 'DROPS
OF JUPITER'
Walters Gardens
I have never highlighted an
ornamental herb, but this new
oregano for 2021 was in the
Walters Gardens trial when I
visited in mid August and it was
absolutely stunning with resplendent
chartreuse yellow leaves and a
multitude of mauve pink flowers with
purple calyxes. The calyxes were
persistent even after the flowers
were spent on the trial variety.
Flowering begins in mid summer
and continues through fall. This
plant is meant to be appreciated
and enjoyed for its texture, foliage
color and prolific flowers. Additional
attributes include drought tolerance,
fragrant foliage, and deer resistance,
and it is a bee and butterfly magnet.
I understand the foliage is edible,
but its main application will be in
beds and containers in a full sun
exposure. This plant will mature
at 24 inches and is hardy to Zone
4. It is a Proven Winners Premier
Selection, exclusive to Walters
Gardens, and requires a Proven
Winners label and container.
13. PHLOX 'SUPER KA-POW
FUCHSIA'
Darwin Perennials
The Super Ka-Pow phlox series
is new for 2021 and offers more
vigor than the standard Ka-Pows.
It consists of four colors: Lavender,
Pink, White and Fuchsia. This was the
most floriferous phlox series in the
Raker-Roberta and Ball trials when
I visited in mid-August last year.
The varieties, especially Fuchsia,
manifested outstanding branching,
robust growth, a long bloom period,
minimal flower fading, powdery
mildew resistance and vibrant colors.
In addition, Fuchsia was a top
performer in the University of Georgia
trial with exceptional humidity
tolerance. The Super Ka-Pows begin
blooming in June and will continue to
flower through August. This series is
hardy to Zone 4 and matures at 18 to
24 inches.
GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 39
April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2021
