J. Berry claims two major awards with Texas A&M AgriLife hibiscus hybrids

Dr. Dariusz Malinowski and Jim Berry have discussed commercialization potential of winter-hardy hibiscus hybrids every August for a number of years.

This year Malinowski, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant physiologist at Vernon, and Berry, president of J. Berry in Grand Saline, are celebrating their joint success after picking up a third major award for the J. Berry Summer Spice Hibiscus Collection.

Jim Berry, owner of J. Berry, and Dr. Dariusz Malinowski, Texas A&M AgriLife Research breeder of winter-hardy hibiscus, discuss what traits should be considered in the next step of the winter-hardy hibiscus breeding process. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)

The Summer Spice Hibiscus Collection introduced by J. Berry in the spring features cultivars developed by Malinowski. They are: Amaretto, coral-salmon; Ambrosia, fuchsia with white eye; Bleu Brulee, sky blue; Brandy Bleu, blue; Cordon Bleu, blue; Crème de la Crème, white with serrated petal edges; Crepe Suzette; bright pink; Grape Sorbet, purple; and Plum Flambe, light plum.

“These new, never seen before flower colors immediately grabbed the attention of the ornamental industry,” Malinowski said.

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