December 2019 - 38

VAUGHN'S VIEW
is not new to the series, but it is one of the most
vivacious and salient colors with rose-colored
ray florets and a splash of yellow toward the
base and darker rose disc florets. The flowers are
stunning and attention grabbers. This uniform
series matures at 18 to 24 inches and application
includes 2-quart and larger containers.
8. 'LABELLA MAGGIORE ROSE BICOLOR'
Beekenkamp
Beekenkamp is a Dutch breeder with a large
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portfolio of vegetative products including
four series of Labella dahlia: Piccolo, Medio,
Grande and Maggiore. They trial their varieties
throughout the globe, including regional trials
in the United States. The vigorous Maggiores
were introduced at the California Spring Trials
in 2017 and entered the market last year. I
have observed and evaluated the Maggiore
series since its introduction, and it consistently
continues to flower and perform late in the
season. The dark green foliage is durable with
excellent upright architecture. The flowers are
large and extend above the foliage to produce
a colorful canopy. There are five colors in the
series, three solids and two bicolors. The series
matures at 24 inches. The Rose Bicolor with
creamy white ray flowers and rose tips with a
splash of yellow in the center was my favorite
in the trials. It is heat tolerant, nonfading
and possesses strong stems. It continued to
flower through September. Spring production
application includes gallons and 8-inch containers.
The consumer options include patio containers,
beds and cottage gardens.
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bicolored double flowers, including five new
colors for 2020. I would characterize the
series as vigorous and early blooming, with
excellent upright branching, short peduncles
and a colorful canopy. Two of the new exciting
varieties for 2020, Tropical Punch and Violet
Bicolor, were in multiple trials and were two
of the most floriferous and eye-catching
varieties in the Colorado State University trial
in late summer because of their flower size,
stability and the color saturation. This is a
versatile dahlia with application in multiple
sizes, especially in patio containers. Unrooted
cuttings are available from Benary+, and Plug
Connection will offer liners for 2020.
6. 'STARSISTER YELLOW DAFFODIL'
Dümmen Orange
Starsister is unquestionably one of the
most unique dahlia series in the market. The
38 DECEMBER 2019 GPNMAG.COM
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anemone and collarette-shaped flowers in
11 colors are stunning and distinctive. Yellow
Daffodil is new for 2020, and the luminosity
and saturation of the yellow anemone flowers
differentiated this variety from any dahlia
in the trials. This series is characterized by
compactness, maturing at 10 to 12 inches,
with flower development above the canopy
on the terminals creating a dramatic retail
presentation. Production application includes
quarts and mixed containers.
7. 'GRANDALIA SUNRISE'
Syngenta Flowers
In the Syngenta portfolio, Grandalia is
listed as a vigorous series comprised of 14
colors, including three new varieties and two
improvements for 2020. The double flowers
are produced on short petioles and rise above
the foliage to create a colorful display. Sunrise
9. 'SINCERITY'
Syngenta Flowers
This standalone dahlia variety generated
interest and excitement at the California Spring
Trials this year for one significant reason: the
magnificent, large, pink and white bicolor flowers
with a splash of yellow in the center. There are
numerous adjectives to describe this decorative
dahlia flower including vivid, luminous and bright.
The compact, well-branched plant was consistent
and non fading in the trials, and it matured at
20 to 24 inches in beds and containers. This is a
variety that will attract intense interest because of
flower size and the multicolored double flowers.
Application will include patio container and beds.
10. 'LABELLA GRANDE DARK PINK'
Beekenkamp
This double variety is not new, but it has been
entered in summer trials for many years to
demonstrate its uniformity, heat tolerance, flower
stability and impressive flower canopy. This series
has been a favorite in the Costa Farms trial and
has scored highly in the Penn State and Raker
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December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2019
