Spotting new varieties at CAST 2026

It's the week of the California Spring Trials! Also known as CAST, the event runs until this Friday. Several breeders open their doors to show their newest varieties. Let's take a look at what visitors can see this year!

Ball Horticultural Company Santa Paula location

© Ball Horticultural CompanyThe Darwin Perennials team showcases its new Hemerocallis series at California Spring Trials. The Daylily DayScape assortment launches with nine colors that are highly resistant to rust and disease. They have a high bud count and are self-cleaning and cold opening. Left to right: Karl Batschke, Mike Annes, Alan Rouse, Sarah Greenwood, Sara Mellard, Chris Fifo, and Darren Barshaw.

© Ball Horticultural Company
The E3 Easy Wave petunia series launches a blue-and-white bicolor pattern called Midnight Marble. It is very floriferous with cold durability. E3 Easy Wave Midnight Marble flowers within a 9-hour photoperiod. Isabel Branstrom (left) and Sarah Makiejus (right) are holding these spreading petunias, showing off the unique pattern.

© Ball Horticultural Company
Mark Gross (left) and Kat Wolper (right) are smiling next to new Impatiens Beacon Pink – a disease-resistant option for the shade that stands up to Impatiens downy mildew. Guests to the trials are having fun taking photos next to this life-size six-pack. The new branded dark-blue color will be available for 2027.

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Global Product Manager for Perennials, Cor de Jong (left) and Global Director of Sales Sean Valk (right) are holding a seed alternative to vegetative S. spectabile. Sedum Spectacular offers good plug quality, seeding uniformity, and a strong structure to resist breakage during transport. It's already an award-winning variety.

© Ball Horticultural Company
The Latin American sales team of Camilo Cano (left) and Camile Valle (right) think the new osteospermum is a top choice for cool-season color. Akila Sunshine Yellow is the first-ever yellow osteospermum from seed, with a compact habit and no-pinch in production. It flowers within a 7- to 10-day window without vernalization.

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Petchoa is a brand-new genus for the team at Ball FloraPlant. This cold-tolerant hybrid features the bright colors of calibrachoa combined with the large blooms and strong roots of petunias. CitraNova Limone and CitraNova Lemon Zest last long into the season. Some of the trial presenters are in front of the "freshly-squeezed color" display (from left to right): Henry Roberts, Sarah Swofford-Hernandez, Jaden Gimondo, Maria Bolinger, and Claire Melvin.

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There's been great conversation around the new City Lights Compact series of patio dahlia from Selecta One at California Spring Trials. The dark-colored foliage contrasts beautifully with the bright blooms. Team members are holding the three new colors: Tanya Carvalho (Magenta), Stefan Reiner (Sunny Yellow), and Lauren Blume (Scarlet).

Beekenkamp location

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Sirekit and Jeroen with the Verbena Fuerte series

© BeekenkampLeft: Lori with the calibrachoa Oasis series; right: Charlie with the Shades combo Spacestars

Danziger location

© DanzigerAt Danziger's CAST display in Gilroy, California, visitors stepped into a greenhouse brought to life with color, creativity, and forward-thinking breeding. From the presence of the AMAZONAS series to the dedicated SOL LUNA showcase, the energy was all about innovation that performs. The new introductions display revealed what's next, while the DuraBella program presented a wide range of fresh combinations and ready-to-retail ideas. From genetics to inspiration, every corner offered something to discover, setting the tone for the season ahead.

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Schoneveld Breeding

© Schoneveld Breeding
Niels Zoetelief, Hassan Hadid and Kathy McKay

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Morel Flowers

© Morel Flowers
Laurent Mossan, Commercial Director, and André Costa, Area Manager for Americas

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Under a great Californian sunshine, Morel Flowers is exhibiting a complete selection of Cyclamens at Ball Horticultural Company, host of the Californian Spring Trials 2026. "With over 1000 visitors scheduled for the event, this yearly 'rendez-vous' allows to showcase novelties that have great potential in the North American market. Among the highlights in the Cyclamen persicum range, we note a strong interest on special varieties such as Clochette, featuring incredible long-lasting bell-shape flowers. Absolu de Morel, the 1st scented mini cyclamen, receives a lot of attention when accompanied by the newly introduced large flowers and fragrant Absolu Sublima. In addition to that, the Indiaka serie renowned for its excellent outdoor performances is a show-maker through his full declination of flower size: mini, midi and maxi."

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For the first time at CAST, the company is showcasing its range of Botanical cyclamens. "The Koumy (Coum) and Lify (Hederifolium) series are game changers for the landscaping segment, with the abundance of blooms they offer during fall and winter. The perennial growers looking for options can now have access to a diversity of products that allows them to play with a diversity of foliage. Planted under shade, as a perfect ground cover, Botanical cyclamens are earning their space in gardens and public spaces!"

© Morel Flowers

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