Alisha Asleson

OTC Master Gardener Volunteer

Aren’t we always looking to see what’s new every spring? Every year there is a plethora of new seed and vegetative annuals that greenhouses and garden centers can grow. While every greenhouse can only grow so many plants each year, they try to pick up a couple new plants based on better flowering, coloring, habit, or vigor. Be on the lookout for some of these below at your favorite local greenhouse or garden center. 

Impatiens Beacon® Blue Pearl – Always a fan favorite, this color is one that we’ve been waiting on to be ready for single color production in the Beacon® series for a couple years. Matches the rest of the series for vigor and size with the downy mildew resistance. 

Calibrachoa Rainbow® Dragon Berry – This vigorous series exhibits unique blooms that change color based on temperature, light levels and day length. Great for containers and hanging baskets.   

Sun Parasol® FiredUp™ Coral –   The upright habit of this plant makes it ideal to be a thriller in mixed combinations with multi-tonal color as the flowers age. Great for mixing with reds, purples and yellows! 

Begonia iCandy™ Coral Pink – This begonia hybrid features double flowers in BRIGHT colors on chocolate foliage. This plant is mounding and can handle full shade and part sun conditions. Large flowers cascade slightly off their containers to fill in gaps and round out containers for a showy presentation. 5 colors complete the series that includes Vanilla Cream, Inferno, Sunset and Lemon Yellow.  

Petunia Inferno THE ORANGE – This is my favorite for the upcoming season; it’s a great orange harvest color with a brighter orange undertone. The plant was full of blooms when we saw it and would be a great season extender with other reds, yellows and purple fountain grass for a fall container.