November December 2023 - 26

VAUGHN'S VIEW
Perennial
PARADE
BY VAUGHN FLETCHER
I
Vaughn Fletcher
is president of
Fletcher Consulting.
He has been in
the horticulture
industry since 1971,
working in many
areas including
landscaping,
garden center
and greenhouse
production,
greenhouse and
nursery sales and
sales management.
He can be reached
at vfletcher9@
gmail.com.
have written
numerous Greenhouse
Product News articles
over the past seven years
on rapidly developing new
and exciting perennial
introductions that were
in regional trialing
and testing programs
throughout the United
States. During this
time, we have seen the
development of innovative
breeding technologies
for improving the
genetics and the traits of new
perennial series and stand-alone
introductions.
The breeder is focused on
bringing new varieties to the
market quicker, with earlier
flowering, longer flowering
times, flower size, improved
and distinctive colors, summer
and winter hardiness, flower
orientation, uniformity and
an improvement in timing.
These breeder goals result in
programmability, consistency,
reduced crop time, a diversified
offering and quick turns on the
retail bench for the grower
and retailer.
These new perennials benefit
the consumer with ease of
maintenance, color longevity,
durability and a wide selection of
26 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 GPNMAG.COM
choices for multiple applications
in beds, landscape sites and
containers. This article is focused
on new and current perennial
varieties from multiple breeders
in the following trial sites that
I visited this summer: Costa
Premier spring trial, University of
Georgia (Athens), Young's Plant
Farm, Metrolina Greenhouses,
Dallas Arboretum and Colorado
State University.
My focus is on the flower
brightness, flower presentation
and power of color.
1. AGASTACHE RUGOSA
'BLUE BAYOU'
Walters Gardens
This was one of the most
floriferous Agastaches that I
saw this summer. It was featured
in the Metrolina trial and when
I visited in late June, I was
impressed by the compactness,
performance and vibrant indigoblue
flowers that covered the
entire plant. This plant will
match the performance and
hardiness of 'Rosie Posie' and
'Peachie Keen'. In my opinion,
'Rosie Posie' is one of the best
Agastaches in the industry
and if this variety can match it
for performance, it will be an
exceptional selection for the
landscaper and consumer. It
2
1
1
Vibrant and impactful perennials from the 2023 summer trials
3
matures at 16-18
inches and is hardy
to Zone 5a.
2. LAVANDULA
ANGUSTIFOLIA LAVENIZE
'SILVER FOREVER'
Pacific Plug And Liner
The angustifolia Lavenize
'Silver Forever' is the latest
addition to the Lavenize series.
The five varieties in the collection
have different bloom times and
habits. 'Silver Forever' was the
most floriferous lavender and
manifested the best silver foliage
in the Costa Premier spring trial
in early May. The deep purple
flowers contrasted beautifully
with the bright silver foliage.
This series has been bred for
earliness, improved branching,
flower color, and hardiness. The
series is hardy to Zone 5 and
matures at 14-18 inches.
3. COREOPSIS
GRANDIFLORA 'SOLANNA
SUNSET BRIGHT'
Thinkplants
This new Solanna introduction
was incredibly consistent in
performance in southern and
northern trials this summer.
This new introduction is from
Danziger breeding and is
available from ThinkPlants
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
November December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November December 2023
