June 2023 - 33

VAUGHN'S VIEW
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and 'Dragon Wing Bronze Leaf Red'. This is one of the
most ubiquitous and recognizable begonia series in the
industry, and these two bronze leaf introductions enhance
and expand the series. The varieties are early flowering
and manifest dark bronze foliage with a colorful and prolific
flower canopy. These new introductions will be in regional
flower trials this summer and will become an important
component in quarts, mixed containers and basket
programs in the years ahead.
3. CANNA 'SOUTH PACIFIC YELLOW'
American Takii
The popularity of cannas continues to grow every year.
Consumers are purchasing and using cannas in large patio
containers and landscape beds for season-long color and a
tropical flair. We have many virus-free vegetative and seed
cannas available in the industry, and the South Pacific series
was the first F1 hybrid seed series to enter the market. The
series is comprised of Ivory, Rose, Orange, Scarlet and -
new for 2024 - White and Yellow. Both new colors were
in the trial beds and demonstrated the attributes of the
entire series: multiple flower stems, earliness, durability
and vibrant color. The plants mature at 26 to 32 inches,
and the inflorescences rise above the foliage, commanding
a statuesque and flamboyant component. They are
outstanding focal points, ostentatious thrillers, pollinator
magnets and great additions in water gardens. The new
Yellow was stunning in the trial, with multiple flowers rising
above the foliage with striking visibility. The entire series will
be available from multiple plug suppliers in 2024.
4. ANGELONIA 'ALONIA BIG CHERRY'
Danziger
What's not to like about angelonia? The breeding
trends have been noteworthy with new series and color
introductions and improvements in habit and flower size. It
is a genus for the times: durable, heat and drought tolerant,
minimal deadheading need, and production versatility
in quarts, gallons and mixed containers. It is one of the
premier thriller components in containers and, with the
wide range of colors, offers the consumer the opportunity
to create a dramatic color scheme. Danziger offers two
series, the Alonia and the Alonia Big. Three new Big colors
have been added for 2024: Big Grape, Big Cherry and Big
Bicolor Pink Improved. The characteristics of this subseries
are glossy green foliage, upright architecture and long
inflorescences. Big Cherry was a standout in the trial with
a heavy flower count, dense habit, vibrancy and saturated
deep cherry florets produced along the entire stem. This
new color enhances the color palette. Both series are
popular in spring programs for their bench run capability,
consistent flower timing and wide color range.
5. MANDEVILLA 'SUN PARASOL GIANT
PEACH SUNRISE'
Suntory Flowers
Suntory celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Sun
Parasol Collection this year with the introduction of the
mandevilla 'Sun Parasol Giant Peach Sunrise' for 2024. This
follows the introduction last year of the stunning Original
Sunbeam, the best yellow mandevilla in the market. This
is an exciting new distinctive selection with extraordinary
polychromatic flowers with yellow centers, an orange throat
and peachy pink petals. The flower colors may transition
to softer tones in different regions of the country as the
season progresses. There is no mandevilla in the market
to match the flower pattern of this new variety. There are
eight varieties in the Giant series. This is a natural climber
and is used primarily on a trellis in containers. It becomes
more floriferous and colorful as the season progresses
and will thrive under hot and humid conditions until early
fall. On a personal note, I have planted many of the Giant
varieties in my summer trials for the past 15 years, and
they are incomparable for summer performance. I have
reached out to many friends on social media, and this new
variety has engendered incredible excitement. The majority
GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 33
June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2023
