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feature
story
fresh flowers: new
and noteworthy
Florists’ Review editors select new
flowers that demand your attention.
by KELSEY E. SMITH
New varieties of flowers create buzz among growers and breeders every
day, but when a particular color or form has not been available before,
or when a plant is marketed as a cut flower for the first time, it is
especially exciting for florists to know about it so they can stay ahead
of the competition with the most distinctive flowers in production. The
flowers shown on these pages are not inclusive of all new varieties on
the market but rather are our editors’ picks of the latest and most
interesting. All are currently in production, so ask your favorite
supplier for these and other fresh offerings. (Roses have been excluded
from this article because new varieties will be featured in our January
issue.)
a
Considered to be one of the whitest Delphiniums ever, ‘Aurora White’ (Elatum
group) has a slim flower spike with a dense cover of double flowers. The
flower, which has excellent uniformity, is the fourth cultivar in the
“Aurora” series, which also includes ‘Aurora Deep Purple, ‘Aurora Blue’
and ‘Aurora Lavender.’ Photo courtesy of Flower Council of Holland
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b Expanding
its scope beyond the violet color family, this species of Limonium is
now available in an array of new colors including ‘Pink Activa,’ ‘Yellow
Activa’ and ‘Bronze Activa.’ Each variety has strong stems and is
available year-round. Vase life is approximately 14 days. Photo courtesy
of Esmeralda Farms; Miami, Fla.
c
The ‘Hulk’ Hydrangea, which comes from the “Antique” family, offers a
distinctive mix of greens and blues as well as a larger bloom—8 inches
in diameter—than most Hydrangeas. Stems are a minimum of 10 inches (25
cm) long. ‘Hulk’ has a vase life of approximately seven to 10 days. This
variety will be in full production year-round beginning in January 2007.
Photo courtesy of Fresca Farms; Miami, Fla.
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d
Previously available only as blooming plants, Magnolias are now
available as cut flowers exclusively from The Magnolia Company. The
medium-size blooms, the stems of which are 8 to 12 inches long, are
available from May through October. These relatively short-lived flowers
are popular for weddings and other special events. Photo courtesy of The
Magnolia Company; Barberville, Fla.
e
Poinsettias have been revived as cut flowers at the Paul Ecke Ranch in
Encinitas, Calif. New hybrids are being produced specifically for
cut-flower use and have a two- to three-week vase life. The most popular
form of cut poinsettias is the “Renaissance” series, shown, which is
available in red, white, pink, marble (white bracts with distinctive
pink centers) and peppermint (soft pink bracts with red flecking). The
“Jester” series also shows promise for cut-flower use. Current
availability is mid-November through December. Photo courtesy of Paul
Ecke Ranch; Encinitas, Calif.
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f The ‘Diva
Maria’ calla (Zantedeschia), available from October through May
exclusively from CallaCo, a division of Golden State Bulb Growers, adds
color to the standard calla. The flower, which is a striking lavender
color on the outside and white on the inside, has a graceful form and
superior vase life. ‘Diva Maria’ is the first release in CallaCo’s new
Callafornia Divas™ series. Photo courtesy of CallaCo, a division of
Golden State Bulb Growers; Moss Landing, Calif.
g
With lush, fluffy inflorescences, ‘Jade’ Trachelium joins its purple
predecessor with an unusual jade-green color. The flower, commonly known
as throatwort, is available year-round and has a vase life of 14 to 21
days. Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Farms; Miami, Fla.
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h The
intriguing ‘Hocus Pocus’ Anthurium causes viewers to do a double-take.
With two spathes instead of one, the flower, at first glance, appears as
though it is two Anthuriums. The uppermost spathe looks like a porch
roof protecting the second spathe below. The color—dark brown with red
veins, against which the spadix contrasts beautifully—is striking as
well. Photo courtesy of Flower Council of Holland
i
Although there is no true green-blossomed Dianthus variety, Dianthus
‘Amazon,’ which is available in pink, red and hot burgundy, can be cut
six to 10 days before expected flowering time, in the green stage,
producing these verdant flowers. It is available year-round and has an
excellent vase life of up to three weeks. The green Dianthus will bloom
in the vase after six to 10 days. Photo courtesy of GlobalRose.com;
Miami, Fla.
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j ‘My Pink’
baby’s breath (Gypsophila) adds a captivating pink option to
traditionally white flowers. It has rich inflorescences, a sturdy stem
structure and long vase life of 14 to 18 days, and it is available
year-round. Photo courtesy of Danziger “Dan” Flower Farm; Beit Dagan,
Israel
k
Providing a contemporary contrast of white and green, the new ‘Grace’
variety of calla (Zantedeschia) improves on its legendary cousin, ‘Green
Goddess,’ in several ways. The flower is smaller and more tapered than
‘Green Goddess,’ making it look less fragile, and the green of the bract
is brighter. This variety is currently most available from August
through December, but efforts are under way to cultivate it year-round.
It has an excellent vase life of more than six weeks. Photo courtesy of
Flower Council of Holland
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l The
‘Montego Bay’ Oriental trumpet (OT) lily has a rich peach/orange center
that fades to a golden yellow. ‘Montego Bay’ is primarily available
during autumn and has a vase life of around 14 days. Cross-breeding has
produced blooms that are more upright with the stem than perpendicular
to it. Photo courtesy of Brand Flowers; Carpinteria, Calif.
m A
new blue/white bicolor variety of Lisianthus (syn. Eustoma), ‘Piccolo,’
is a showy, top-flowering single bloom variety. The flower, commonly
known as prairie gentian, is white with deep purple edges and a green
inner center. It is available year-round and has a vase life of
approximately 14 days. Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Farms; Miami, Fla.
n
Gerrondo®, a cushion-type Gerbera with nearly 500 layered petals, has
hit the market with eight varieties in the “Terra Universe” series, all
named after planets. The flowers are available year-round, and vase life
ranges from 13 to 20 days, depending on variety. The variety shown is
‘Terra Mars.’ Photo courtesy of Terra Nigra B.V.
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o The ‘Neon
Purple’ Dianthus offers a departure from the reds, whites, pinks and
bicolors typically found on this flower. It is available year-round and
has a vase life of 10 to 14 days. Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Farms;
Miami, Fla.
You may contact Kelsey Smith by e-mail at
ksmith@floristsreview.com
or by phone at (800) 367-4708.
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