But before presenting the novelties some changes, in regards to last year's edition, need to be highlighted. First of all, the Israeli young plant growers Hishtil, Jaldety and Cohen moved to a new location. They used to present their novelties at Pacific Plug & Liner in Watsonville, but are now presenting them at Chisan Orchid Nursery in Los Alamos. At Pacific Plug & Liner, a new line-up will present their products. Also Floranova and Vegetalis changed location and are presenting their products with Green Fuse Botanicals at its location in Santa Paula. Dümmen Orange will display their products at the Edna Valley Vineyards in San Luis Obispo. Finally, as you probably already heard, EuroAmericans, located in Bonsall (the only company in the Southern region), filled for bankruptcy earlier this year and is therefore no longer participating.
Is your company also participating in the California Spring Trials and would you like to put one of your products in the spotlight? Feel free to send us an email.
Danziger - Bidens Pretty in Pink™
Danziger will present a new generation of Bidens at the California Spring Trials. Over the years, they have built up a wide assortment of varieties for different uses in a selection of colors and habits; from compact varieties to more vigorous ones, as never seen before in Bidens. The new addition to our assortment is the Pretty in Pink™, according to Danziger, a true eye-catcher with a special habit that can't be missed. (Visit Danziger ‘Dan’ Flower Farm to see more novelties at their Headstart Nursery, 4860 Monterey Rd Gilroy, CA 95020, Click here to email the company for more information)
Terra Nova Nurseries - Heuchera Forever™ Red
The Heuchera Forever™ Red is a new variety of Terra Nova Nurseries. It is a fast and vigorous growing Heuchera and has, according to Terra Nova, the reddest leaves ever and a great crown. The leaves are cut and somewhat ruffled and reddest in the spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler. (Zones: 4-9 - Size: 7”/14”/14”). (Visit Terra Nova Nurseries to see more novelties at Windmill Nursery, 925 W Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427. Click here to email the company for more information).
PanAmerican Seed - Pentas Lucky Star
The New Lucky Star is one of the novelties of PanAmerican Seed. According to PanAmerican, it is bred for the fastest follow-up blooming of any pentas on the market. "Without cyclical blooming, the plants look great getting off the truck and they stay compact, tight and ready for sale with minimal effort during production. The promise of continuous, showstopping color is a huge plus for gardeners." (Visit PanAmerican Seed to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Hishtil - Oxalis tuberosum 'Crimson'/'Gold'/'Crimson & Gold'
This Oxalis tuberosum of Hishtil is native to the Andes and very popular in New Zealand. Oxalis tuberosum, known as Oca, is a perennial herbaceous plant that overwinters as underground stem tubers. Eaten boiled, baked, fried or dried, Oca is used as a potato alternative with superb nutritious values. (Visit Hishtil to see more novelties at Chisan Orchids, 9676 Harvest Road, Los Alamos, CA 934406, Click here to email the company for more information)
Kieft Seed - Dianthus Rockin’ Red
Kieft Seed will present the Dianthus Rockin' Red at the California Spring Trails, along with other novelties. According to Kieft Seed, this, as they call it, dynamite red will keep perennial borders alight for years to come, thanks to its vivid color, durable performance and count-on-it overwintering. "It opens the door to premium product sales in perennial quart and gallon programs for mid-Spring and the Fall decorating season." (Visit Kieft Seed to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Star® Roses and Plants - Bushel & Berry™
Bushel & Berry is the rebrand of the BrazelBerries® line of small fruited raspberries, blackberries and blueberries of Star® Roses and Plants. The plants are compact, self-pollinating, and seems to have a good taste. It is well suited plant for in the landscape or in patio pots for small-space gardens. (Visit Star® Roses and Plants to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Ball FloraPlant - Calibrachoa Conga
The calibrachoa Conga series of Ball FloraPlant has a new-variety introduction year. It has 9 new and improved colors for easy-to-produce quarts and color bowls. Conga’s naturally compact habit is good for pot-tight production. According to Ball FloraPlant, its excellent pH tolerance and profuse flowering give Conga superior hold at retail. (Visit Ball FloraPlant to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Selecta One - Calibrachoa MiniFamous Neo
MiniFamous Neo is a series of calibrachoa of Selecta One. According to Selecta One, Neo has the tightest bloom window and provides the uniform habit (across the entire series) and flowering time growers seek, along with the excellent performance today’s consumers demand. "Early flowering with a five-day flowering window, large single blooms, semi-trailing habit and medium vigor." (Visit Selecta One to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Burpee® - Tomato Oh Happy Day
The Tomato Oh Happy Day of Burpee is new concept in tomatoes with an disease-resistance package. It produces a crop of 5 to 6-oz. indeterminate beefsteak tomatoes in clusters of 3 to 7 fruit. Resists Early Blight, Late Blight, Verticillium and Fusarium with a flavor that’s "top-notch". (Visit Burpee to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Darwin Perennials - Salvia Rose Marvel
The Rose Marvel brings a rich, deep rose color to the Marvel family of Darwin Perennials. This family tend to have the largest flowers of all Salvia nemorosa. It features a long flowering window and re-blooms without being cut back. (Visit Darwin Perennials to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Ball Ingenuity - Canna Cannova Bronze Leaf Orange
The Cannova Bronze Leaf Orange is the second bronze foliage variety in the Cannova series of Ball Ingenuity. According to Ball, the bronze foliage offers striking contrast with the flowers and is a great option for mixed combinations or in-ground plantings. "Cannova was the first seed F1 canna series that offers an easy-to-grow option in this heat-tolerant class. Improved young plant performance means more usable plugs that are uniform and earlier than other seed canna programs. Strong colors capture the landscape market. Cannova is versatile – works well in 4-in. (10-cm) pots to 2 gallons. Ideal for cart programs." (Visit Ball Ingenuity to see more novelties at the PanAmerican Seed Research Facility, 335 South Briggs Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
Vista Farms - VF Sunstone Red
VF Sunstone Red is a new variety of Vista Farms. The "Sunstone Red" bracts are a dark magenta red borne in clusters on the new growth. Its variegated foliage includes several shades of green with variable yellow splotches. "Sunstone Red" is a medium vigor trailing variety that is very suitable for hanging baskets or gallons. (Visit Vista Farms to see more novelties at Speedling, 2640 San Juan Highway, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045. Click here to email the company for more information.)
Jaldety - Thunbergia alata Arizona Pink Beauty
"Finally an early flowering Pink!" The Thunbergia alata Arizona Pink Beauty is a new color addition to the Thunbergia assortment of Jaldety. It has complementary soft pink flowers and lots of flowers from early spring through autumn. It combines well with other colors like white and dark pink and is very suitable for mix hanging baskets, pyramids for patio and decks, showy cover for arches and pergolas. (Visit Jaldety to see more novelties at Chisan Orchids, 9676 Harvest Road, Los Alamos, CA 934406, Click here to email the company for more information)
Thompson & Morgan - ‘Tall Dark and Handsome’
The Tall Dark and Handsome is new vegetative breeding Pelargonium of Thompson & Morgan. This half hardy perennial has black leaves, speckled coral, orange and pink flowers, vigourous growth habit and climbs to 6ft with support. Its pollenless flowers ensure a longer flowering period. (Visit Thompson and Morgan to see more novelties at 2640 San Juan Highway, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045, Click here to email the company for more information)
Cohen - Bidens Bee Yellow Red Center
Bred by Florsaika in Japan, Cohen added the Bidens Bee Yellow Red Center to the Bee series which includes varieties bred by Breier. It is a new introduction for season 2017-2018, together with 5 other colors. (Visit Cohen to see more novelties at Chisan Orchids, 9676 Harvest Road, Los Alamos, CA 934406, Click here to email the company for more information)
There is no fee to participate, but when visiting a company making a reservation is recommended (and sometimes required). Click here to visit the online reservation system to schedule your appointments at www.horticultureevents.com.
The official dates are through April 6 but the closing date may vary at some locations. Most locations are open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Is your company also participating in the California Spring Trials and would you like to put one of your products in the spotlight? Feel free to send us an email.