In 2020 summer trials. Perennials - vaughn's view - Greenhouse Product News
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vaughn’s view
BY VAUGHN FLETCHER
Perennials
CA PTIVATING
1
These notable and colorful perennial varieties demonstrated high impact
in 2020 summer trials.
T
his spring is my 50th year in the horticultural
industry. To gain perspective of the significant
and extraordinary breeding, trialing, and
introduction of new perennial genera and species that
have been added to the market since the early 1970s, I
perused many of the books and catalogs of that period,
including “Perennials” by James Underwood Crocket,
Donald Wyman’s “Gardening Encyclopedia,” and “The
English Flower Garden” by William Robinson, as well as
the Ball, Gloeckner and Vaughan’s seed catalogs from
the early ‘70s.
The genetic advancements include day length
neutrality, non vernalization requirements, assorted
foliage and flower colors, flower duration, production
Vaughn Fletcher programmability, disease resistance, uniformity, flower
2
is president of stability, and heat tolerance. Perennials not only have application
Fletcher Consulting. in traditional landscape beds, but are now used in designer
He has been in the recipe combinations and containers. These diverse planting
horticulture industry options offer the consumer the opportunity to expand the
since 1971, working in utilization of perennials in many different settings.
many areas including Perennial trialing in university and public sites throughout
landscaping, garden the United States has expanded significantly in the past 10
center and greenhouse years; this has given breeders and the horticultural industry the
production, greenhouse opportunity to visit trial sites and evaluate the new introductions
and nursery sales and or to read the multiple trial reports released each fall. I attended
sales management. the following perennial trials sites last summer: Costa Farms,
He can be reached at Colorado State University, Penn State University, Raker-
vfletcher9@gmail.com. Roberta’s and the Dallas Arboretum.
The marketing term “color sells” is ubiquitous in our industry,
and this has become significant in the perennial world as we
progress to the annualization of perennials. We have a vast array
of perennials available today and the challenge is choosing
varieties that provide continuity of color and varieties that
bloom harmoniously at different times. I focused primarily on
the attributes of flower duration, vigor, uniformity, durability and
floriferousness, but other qualities for consideration include leaf 3
shape, texture and structure.
36 MARCH 2021 GPNMAG.COM
VAUGHN’S VIEW
1. COREOPSIS ‘SOLANNA 3. DIANTHUS ‘MOUNTAIN in the assortment. Ruby Glitter the summer. Ruby Glitter also has
SUNSHINE’ FROST RUBY GLITTER’ was in multiple trials last summer silvery foliage, which contrasts
Danziger Darwin Perennials and offers the most unique strikingly with the distinctive
Solanna is the most complete Darwin continues to add new color pattern in the series. The flowers. This series has many
grandiflora series in the market. varieties to the Mountain Frost large, non-fading red blooms attributes including uniformity,
It now comprises eight varieties series and have introduced Ruby interspersed with white blotches deep green foliage, a mounded
including four new colors: Golden Glitter and Ruby Snow for 2021. were stunning and prolific, and habit, reblooming potential, and
Princess, Sunset Burst, Yellow There are now nine vibrant colors continued to bloom throughout no vernalization requirement, and
Touch and Sunshine, which I
highlight in this article. This
series offers diverse flower forms
including singles, doubles, fluted
and bicolors. The attributes include GENERAL REGISTRATION OPENS
earliness, first year-flowering,
no vernalization requirement, March 9
uniformity and a long bloom cycle.
What distinguishes this series
on the retail bench is the flower
canopy rising above the foliage,
the outstanding mounded habit
and the assorted flower forms.
I was impressed with Sunshine
in the trials. It manifested large
and bright single yellow flowers
maturing at 18 inches. The series is
hardy to Zone 4. Unrooted cuttings
are available from ThinkPlants,
and liners are available from many
regional perennial suppliers.
2. VERONICA ‘VERNIQUE
The green industry’s
RASPBERRY’
Green Fuse Botanicals
This veronica series has been
outstanding in multiple trials AmericanHort
must-attend event.
Junior Page Bleed
the past few years, and with the
introduction of the ‘Vernique
Raspberry’ I thought it was
important that I describe and
encourage you to consider this Register for an All-Access Pass
series in your future perennial
and attend any of the 100+
production. There are seven
(Ad 2 of 2)
colors in the series, and this education sessions, including
veronica is part of the First Light
Perennial program. This program 50+ programs specifically for
combines varieties that are
first-year flowering, require no
greenhouse growers.
cold treatment, are day length
neutral, and are programmable
Invest in education so you and
like annuals. The attributes of the
series include extended blooming your business can Perform Better,
period, extensive color palette,
floriferousness, uniformity, and Grower Faster, and Prepare for
long and colorful flower spikes. The
color intensity and vibrancy of the
the Future.
new Raspberry last summer was
dramatic. There are seven colors
in the series, and Raspberry and
White are new introductions for
2021. The series matures at 12 to
18 inches and is hardy to Zone 4.
Register Today At
AmericanHort.org/Cultivate
VAUGHN’S VIEW
it is hardy to Zone 4b. Production 6. COREOPSIS ‘CORLEONE
application includes 2.5 quart RED+YELLOW’
and gallons, and consumer and Benary+
commercial application includes Benary+ continues to add
landscape borders. perennials to their vegetative
4 4. MONARDA ‘MARJE
assortment, and this new verticillata
variety is a 2020 introduction. We
PURPLE’ have a wide assortment of coreopsis
Green Fuse Botanicals to choose from, and what impressed
The Monarda Marje series, me in the trials was the vibrancy
composed of Pink, Purple and of the deep red centers and yellow
Rose, has been in regional trials tipped bright flowers, the stunning
the past few years and has bicolor pattern, the well-defined
demonstrated incomparable color separation, and the excellent
mildew resistance, a prodigious vigor for a verticillata variety. This
flower canopy, and large vibrant variety is hardy to Zone 4 and
asymmetrical tubular flowers. This matures at 12 to 15 inches. It
Bee Balm series matures at 15 to will have application in quart and
18 inches, spreads up to 30 inches, gallon production. Benary Plus has
5 manifests a compact habit, and
blooms in July and August. This is
an ongoing breeding program in
seed and vegetative perennials in
part of the Green Fuse Botanical a wide selection of genera, so we
Equinox Perennial program. It should expect to see new coreopsis
will require vernalization and long introductions in the near future.
days to produce vibrant flowers
and a multiple flower count. We 7. DICENTRA ‘PINK
have many outstanding monarda DIAMONDS’
series in the market, and based on Walters Gardens
performance in regional trials, this This Proven Winners Premier
series deserves consideration. This Selection for 2020-2021 is distinct
photo was taken at the Colorado from any fern-leaf Bleeding Heart
State University perennial trial in in the market. It is an alpine-
early August. Unrooted cuttings type hybrid that prefers a full
6
are available from InnovaPlant and sun exposure. This variety begins
Vivero, and liners are available from blooming in late spring and will
multiple suppliers. bloom throughout the summer. The
two-tone pink flower clusters are
5. AGASTACHE ‘BEELICIOUS positioned above the blue-green
PURPLE’ foliage, and they are prolific and
Concept Plants striking. I was impressed by the
Every year, I focus on an clumps of fern-like foliage, the habit
agastache that manifests an and the prolific flowering in mid-
abundance of vibrant flower spikes August in the Walters Garden trial
throughout the season, and this in Michigan. This is not your typical
year my choice is ‘Beelicious Bleeding Heart and will become a
Purple’. This is a standalone top seller in the seasons ahead.
variety, and it has the upright ‘Pink Diamonds’ matures at 12 to
7
habit and flower power to justify 16 inches and is hardy to Zone 3.
consideration in any summer
program. The rich and vibrant 8. COREOPSIS ‘CASTELLO
purple flower spikes were profuse POM POM YELLOW’
and eye catching. This mint-scented Syngenta Flowers
8
selection attracts hummingbirds Syngenta has introduced an
and butterflies, is drought tolerant, exemplary Coreopsis grandiflora.
and matures at 16 inches. Based on This new standalone double-
performance last summer, this is a flowering variety demonstrated
very good rebloomer and will have outstanding characteristics in
production application in gallons, the summer trials including a
and application for the consumer in uniform habit with sturdy, upright
beds and mixed containers. branching. The large double flowers
38 MARCH 2021 GPNMAG.COM
VAUGHN’S VIEW
were positioned above the at 18 to 20 inches, and is
foliage canopy to create hardy to Zone 3. The series is
a colorful presentation. recommended for spring and
This variety will mature at summer programs in 2.5-quart
12 inches and is hardy to and larger containers, and
Zone 5. We have multiple vernalization is not required.
double grandiflora varieties This series, with its uniform
available in the market, and this and compact habit, will
new introduction, based on trial require minimal plant growth
9
performance, will be excellent regulators and no staking,
in production application and which will improve ease of
in retail displays. This variety production. Multiple perennial
is offered by ThinkPlants in liner suppliers offer the entire
unrooted and callus form series in assorted plug and
10
for 2021. liner sizes.
9. DELPHINIUM 10. ECHINACEA
‘DELPHINA DARK BLUE ‘SOMBRERO FIESTA
WHITE BEE’ ORANGE’
Syngenta Flowers Darwin Perennials
I only saw this series in the If you have read my
Colorado State University trial, articles the past few years,
but it left a strong impression you understand my passion
with its naturally compact and focus on distinctive and
habit and fully double flowers dramatic colors in annuals and
on strong short stems. This perennials. As I walk through
first year-flowering series a trial, my eye is always
is composed of four colors, attracted to the flower color
prefers partial shade, matures before consideration of the
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VAUGHN’S VIEW
other important attributes, which series, has been moved to the Poco
include leaf shape, texture, structure series due to its habit. Both varieties
and durability. The colors toward are well matched and demonstrated
the warmer end of the spectrum excellent flower coverage and non-
are psychologically more dynamic, fading flowers into late August.
and this is exemplified by the new These varieties can be scheduled
‘Sombrero Fiesta Orange’ for 2021. like the Sombreros in spring forcing
Orange is stimulating and vibrant,
and this new variety has high
programs, and can be sold in 10
weeks in the Midwest. They mature
11
visibility and impact. It has single and at 14 to 16 inches and are hardy to
semi double flowers, is well branched Zone 4b. Additional colors are in the
and floriferous, and it matches the pipeline for 2023.
series in height and hardiness. 12
12. ALLIUM ‘SERENDIPITY’
11. ECHINACEA ‘SOMBRERO Walters Gardens
POCO YELLOW’ I visited the Walters Gardens
Darwin Perennials trial in early August and of all the
Darwin has introduced a new perennials in the display beds, allium
Sombrero compact series with ‘Serendipity’ was the most dramatic
the new compact Poco Yellow. In and eye catching. This new allium is
addition, Hot Coral, which is the most a sport of allium ‘Millenium’ and is a
compact variety in the Sombrero Proven Winners Premier Selection for
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2021. It offers rosy-purple globe- the summer. The varieties in the
shaped flowers in abundance above collection include Amethyst,
clump-shaped blue foliage, which Diamond, Peach Sky and Sunshine.
Rear casters, Rubber wheels differentiates it from the glossy Sunshine is the best seller in the
Solid rubber wheels Easy to maneuver
Won’t go flat deep green foliage of ‘Millenium’. collection for good reason — the
pneumatic available
This variety matures at 15 to 20 flower color is vibrant, and the
inches and is hardy to Zone 4. I plants have a prodigious flower
was impressed with its upright canopy. The plants mature at
architecture, flower structure, and 28 to 30 inches and create a
stunning and distinctive flower thriller in mixed borders. We have
canopy. This variety is a garden many choices when it comes to
worthy introduction and deserves a achillea, and if you are looking for
place in every perennial garden. a series that flowers continually
Hydra™ 50 Hydra™ ST50 Hydra™ ST100 Hydra™ 200
and provides size in the garden
13. ACHILLEA ‘FIREFLY with a non-fading inflorescence,
Building on years of experience, Dramm has
perfected the hydraulic sprayer. SUNSHINE’ this is a series for consideration.
®
Call to learn about the ergonomic & performance Integrated Plant Health Walters Gardens The varieties are hardy to Zone 3,
enhancements of the Hydra line of sprayers. information@dramm.com This Proven Winners achillea and each variety in the collection
www.dramm.com collection is distinguished from matures at a different height,
920.684.0227
Scan to
many achillea series by its upright but they all offer the durability
learn more architecture, sturdiness, durability and sturdiness that define the
and persistent color throughout collection.
40 MARCH 2021 GPNMAG.COM
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