November December 2023 - 27

VAUGHN'S VIEW
4
5
and multiple liner
suppliers. It is firstyear
flowering,
well-branched,
self-cleaning,
with flower
positioning
well above
the foliage
and large
golden yellow
flowers with
a red eye. It was
the most colorful and
resilient coreopsis that I saw in
trials this summer. Vernalization is
not required for bulking. It matures at
15-18 inches and is hardy to zone 5.
The accompanying photograph is from
the Metrolina trial in late June.
4. ECHINACEA DOUBLE SCOOP
'RASPBERRY DELUXE'
Darwin
Four varieties have been added to
this series for 2024: 'Orangeberry
Deluxe Improved', 'Watermelon Deluxe',
'Raspberry Deluxe' and 'Strawberry
Deluxe'. The new introductions were
in multiple trials and manifested
outstanding flower coverage, flower
color stability and large drooping ray
petals with a showy central pompom
cone. The series is first-year flowering,
possesses fully double flowers and
demonstrated compactness, color
stability, excellent branching and
eye-catching flowers. The Deluxe
introductions will match the Sombrero
series in timing, branching and
floriferousness. The series is hardy to
Zone 4 and matures at 20-24 inches.
The accompanying photograph is from
the Costa premier spring trial in May.
5. ECHINACEA HYBRIDA
'GIDDY PINK'
Terra Nova
This perennial article would be
incomplete without a Terra Nova
Echinacea selection, and the variety
that demonstrated excellent branching,
a prolific flower canopy and uniquely
colored bright pink double flowers was
'Giddy Pink'. It is a stand-alone variety
and demonstrated floriferousness and
excellent branching in the Colorado
State trial. It is hardy to zone 4 and
matures at 18-24 inches.
6. SALVIA NEMOROSA 'PINK
PROFUSION'
Walters Gardens
This Salvia is the Proven Winners
2024 National Perennial of the year,
and this distinction is well deserved.
The Profusion series is characterized by
a compact and dense habit,
a prolific flower canopy and consistent
reblooming potential. 'Pink Profusion'
was introduced in 2020 and has been
entered in multiple trials every year.
It has demonstrated a dramatic and
striking presence in trials and gardens
with its vibrant dark pink flowers
and even darker pink calyxes. It was
impressive in mass plantings at Walters
Gardens last August and consistent in
multiple regional trials this summer.
This variety matures at 16-20 inches
and is hardy to Zone 3. All four
Profusion varieties are marketed by
Proven Winners. The accompanying
photograph is from the Metrolina trial in
late June.
7. RUDBECKIA FULGIDA VAR.
SULLIVANTII 'GOLDBLITZ'
PanAmerican Seed
I only saw 'Goldblitz' in the
permanent perennial bed at
Colorado State University, but
it was a " WOW " plant with
a mass of color in the trial
bed. This is a Fleuroselect
Gold Medal winner for 2023,
which is well-deserved based
on its attributes and garden
performance. It is an early
flowering black-eyed Susan with
an upright, clumping habit and stiff,
well-branched stems. The flowers are
positioned above the foliage canopy
manifesting incredible color. It is a
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GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 27
first-year flowering selection that
does not require vernalization and
will finish 14-21 days earlier than
Goldstrum with greater uniformity.
This variety will provide an economical
input selection for natural day-length
growers. It matures at 24-28 inches
and is hardy to Zone 3. 'Goldblitz'
is the next generation in Rudbeckia
fulgida breeding.
8. ECHINACEA HYBRIDA
'RED OMBRÉ'
PanAmerican Seed
The Artisan collection consists of
'Red Ombré', 'Orange Ombré' and
'Yellow Ombré. I chose to highlight
'Red Ombré', but I could have chosen
any one of the three. This is the first
F1 hybrid seed collection available in
individual colors. The collection offers
uniformity in plant structure and seed
germination, is first-year flowering
and produces a prolific flower canopy,
consistent flower size and vibrant
colors. The average height is 18-28
inches, and the plants are hardy to
Zone 4a. The collection is available
from plug and liner suppliers for 202324.
The accompanying photograph
is from the Colorado State
University trial in
early August.
6
November December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November December 2023
