June 2023 - 35

VAUGHN'S VIEW
durability, as well as being a
magnet for multiple pollinators.
11. BEGONIA
'STONEHEDGE ROSE
BRONZE LEAF'
Benary
10
in regional trials that summer and has since become an
important series in spring and summer programs. Dümmen
Orange offers an upright and spreading series and has
continued to make breeding improvements since that time.
Four varieties - Lemon Zest, Carrot, Yellow Chrome and
Grape Jelly - have improved branching, flower count and
extended day length flowering for 2024. My favorite in the
Costa trial was the Improved Grape Jelly, with large and
highly saturated flowers that formed a prolific canopy. In
the last 10 years, we have seen the breeding, development,
and introduction of new portulaca series with bicolor and
multicolored single and double flowers with compact and
spreading habits. Dümmen Orange, as well as many other
breeders, have made improvements to current selections
and introduced new varieties with many of these
improved traits.
10. SALVIA 'PLUM CRAZY'
Ball FloraPlant
The introduction of interspecific, guaranitica,
longispicata, splendens and farinacea selections
continues at a rapid pace. Salvia offers a multitude of
characteristics that attract the consumer and provide
creative production applications for the grower. They
offer unique colors, flower forms, durability, multiple
branching, assorted sizes, prolific flowering, textures, low
maintenance, and heat and drought tolerance, and are
an incredible pollinator magnet. Ball FloraPlant has been
instrumental in introducing a wide range of species for
application in containers and landscapes. I highlighted the
outstanding performance of 'Blue Chill' last year, and Ball
FloraPlant now offers nine different varieties including the
new 'Plum Crazy' for 2024. This new selection matches
the habit of salvia 'Black & Bloom' and offers a prolific
inflorescence of magenta-colored calyxes and black
corollas. 'Plum Crazy' will have production application in
quarts and 1- and 2-gallon containers. Landscapers and
consumers will use it in large patio containers and beds.
I cannot overstate the beauty and versatility of these new
salvia varieties for the consumer and landscape industry.
They will go the distance and provide color, stature and
11
Benary is synonymous with
begonias and, just when you
thought that another begonia
series was inconsequential,
Benary has introduced Stonehedge for 2024, comprised
of two bronze leaf varieties. This is a unique interspecific
series that is quite different from Bigs or Whoppers. This
new series is more vigorous at maturity, reaching up to
48 inches in landscape beds. It is a free flowering, multiflora
type with an upright, vigorous habit and dense foliage. It
is adaptable in sun or shade; application is recommended
for large containers, baskets and landscape sites. The
accompanying photograph is from the Costa basket trial
and demonstrates the vigor, flower size and habit of the
Rose Bronze Leaf. Three green leaf colors will be added to
the series for 2025.
TISSUE CULTURE LINERS
4341 Round Lake Road Apopka, FL 32712
FERNS
FOLIAGE
LANDSCAPE
TROPICALS
CELL PACK LINERS
NEW VARIETIES
SUCCULENTS
1 TRAY MINIMUM
PRODUCED IN THE USA
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
AND REQUEST A CATALOG
(407) 889-8487 * Info@ag2tc.com
www.ag2tc.com
Circle 112
GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 35
http://www.ag2tc.com
June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2023
