Pack trial preview
1 Jan, 2009 By: Bridget White LivescapesPlant breeders reveal what's in the pipeline for landscapers
Every year, plant breeders host a huge coming out party. They all join together to set individual open houses over a week-long period. Collectively known as the Spring California Pack Trials, these events are an opportunity for breeders and marketers to show their customers (distributors, growers, retailers and landscapers) what their company is about, how to use their products and, more importantly, what new varieties they have to offer.
 American Takii |
Plants displayed at Pack Trials will generally become available to the landscape trade in 2010 or 2011, so this event is a great opportunity to see what's on the horizon, learn culture tips and gets tons of planting ideas.
Below is a sample of what you will find at the Pack Trials that are scheduled from March 28 through April 5, 2009. For a complete listing of exhibiting companies, dates and locations, go to the National Garden Bureau's website (www.ngb.org).
 Ball's Breathless Euphorbia |
American Takii
American Takii is featuring a theme of "Coming Together" to promote the blending of Sahin and Global Flowers into Takii & Company, Ltd. With the new brand will come a major display change for the 2009 Pack Trials, now featuring a substantial landscaped area with multiple vignettes instead of row trials. The goal is to provide ideas on how to integrate annuals, perennials and vegetables as well as to show the habit and garden performance.
Of particular interest to landscapers is the addition of two new colors to its Pansy F1 Nature series, Frosty Blue and Yellow with Blotch. Nature is a hybrid between pansy and viola genetics combining the best attributes of both. The flower size may be small, about 1-1/2 inches, but the color show is huge, they virtually cover themselves in flowers. They maintain a neat habit, which is great for commercial landscapes.
 Benary's BIG Begonia |
Sahin will feature many perennials and grasses suited for landscape applications. Agastache Rose Mint, which has a fresh, mint scent, is excellent for landscape use. It branches very well and is extremely long flowering, beginning in March and continuing through to the first frost.
Grasses have become mainstays for landscapers. Carex flagellifera Auburn is a copper bronze-colored sedge. It has an upright habit when young and gracefully arches when mature.
 Goldsmith's Mammoth Pansy |
Ball Horticultural Company
Ball's themes this year will focus on what the company calls "retail holdability" and "reboundability," both with direct correlation to landscape performance.
Ball will be displaying numerous new series at this year's event. Among the varieties with the greatest interest for landscapers include Sun Spun Petunias and Breathless Euphorbia. Sun Spun Petunias require less water and handle lower temperatures for season-long impact. Ball shaped and early-spring flowering, this series is great for corporate plantings. Breathless Euphorbia can be compared to Euphorbia Diamond Frost. It is extremely low maintenance and uses little water when established. It is a demonstrated performer in planters, beds and mixed containers. Other featured series include Titan Vince, the industry's first hybrid vinca, and Taishan Marigold, a dwarf African with stronger stems.
 Spring Meadow hydrangea |
Continuing on a long tradition of hosting landscapers during Pack Trials, Ball will have guided tours tailored to the needs of landscapers as well as a brochure featuring top-performing annuals and perennials for landscape use.
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