Summer 2011
Intro to Early Summer in the PH California Trial Garden
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Early summer is that wonderful time in the trials garden when all the plants we have nurtured and planted earlier in the season are really starting to come into their own.
During the last two weeks of May our Hort and Marketing Team were really busy with the camera and flip video, recording progress with your crops here in our California Trial locations.
During June and July the Plants Team will be visiting many independent trial locations throughout North America and we look forward to updating you in the fall Edition with some of our top highlights. |
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Independent Trials
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Independent plant trials are very important to commercial businesses here in the USA. PlantHaven works closely with a number of excellent Universities, Arboretums and Societies to submit your newest varieties for secure and truly independent garden evaluations. |
RHS Trials |
Dallas Arboretum – Flame Proof Status
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Growing conditions from one state to another can be very extreme. For example Dallas is particularly “hot”. The Team at Dallas Arboretum provides the unique award; “Flame Proof” to crops which have not just survived but actively looked good and thrived.
In their words, not ours: “It takes a tough plant to handle our summers and do it looking good! When we do find a plant that can take the heat, it has to do it for at least 3 years before we give it our coveted "Flame Proof" award. We trust them so much that they are the backbone of the Dallas Arboretum's 66-acre summer display every year!
Colocasia ‘Diamond Head’ and Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ are both “Flame Proof” award Winners.
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Colocasia 'Diamond Head'
Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'
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Royal Horticultural Society and the New AGM Logo
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Over in Europe, The Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners make informed choices about plants. In February 2011 the RHS launched a brand new AGM logo, re-launching this prestigious award to the industry.
This award indicates that the plant is recommended by the RHS. Plants are only presented with this prestigious award after a period of trial at the RHS where the plants are judged by one of the RHS plant committees.
PlantHaven are delighted to be working with both Dallas Arboretum and the RHS and will be only too happy to promote awards presented for outstanding garden performance. |
AGM Logo
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Fall Container Evaluations August 15th
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PlantHaven are running a container evaluation trial at GroLink, 4107 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA. These trade only trials will be open for a special viewing on Monday, August 15 (WK33 – 2011). We will have our full portfolio of Mystic Dahlias and Whetman Dianthus grown side by side with the current top Industry comparisons. All crops are being grown outside in 8” (2 Gallon) containers.
PlantHaven will also be taking the opportunity to showcase select portfolio breeder programs currently under wraps as future introductions for 2013, 2014 and 2015 for select private viewings with key licensees and sales teams. In future years we hope to repeat this for summer/fall crops, it will be a great opportunity to take photos and introduce customers to new varieties. |
Container Evaluation |
Elite Stock / Virus Indexing
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This summer will see our New Varieties and Technical Manager in the lab looking at Elite stock production and specifically Virus Indexing.
This process has become an essential tool to broad spectrum new plant introduction globally. To ensure your crops can be produced by all volume production locations it is essential to ensure the crops test negative for viral and bacterial infections.
On a practical level this means producing the crop either in a laboratory situation or a screen high health house. Routinely screening for pathogens, on with the lab coats and sanitization hand wash. |
High Health Tissue Culture |
Retail Highlights
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The final step in the new plant introduction process is seeing your wonderful crops for sales in retail stores to delight the plant loving gardening public!!!
One of the premier retail garden centers in Southern California is Roger’s Gardens. Roger’s is a Mecca for fashionable gardeners. In May on a recent visit our Plant Team was delighted to shoot a short video of the Mystic Dahlias bred in New Zealand by Dr Keith Hammett and featured in the landscape and mixed containers.
See the video here! |
Mystic Dahlias
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Living Walls featuring Carex and Heuchera at: True Food Kitchen
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One fashion growing in popularity here is green outdoor living spaces and especially “living walls”. It’s great to see the greening of our living environments.
True Food Kitchen a new “slow food” restaurant; has this living wall concept down pat. In their mellow outdoor patio eating area you can relax with your meal while enjoying a rich tapestry of Carex, Heuchera and Ajuga.
What better way to enjoy your meal than dreaming up new planting combinations to try out at home. If you’d like to read more about vertical gardens check out “Vertical Garden”, Patrick Blanc. |
Living Walls |
Farwest New Varieties Showcase
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Planthaven is delighted to be showcasing outstanding new selections from our breeder clients at Farwest 2011. This year we are pleased to announce that three of your varieties have been selected to feature in the new Varieties Showcase for 2011.
This is a great opportunity to display new selections to the industry. The three crops selected by Farwest are: Cercis ‘Ruby Falls’, Dianthus ‘Sugar Plum’ and Hydrangea ‘Passion’.
PlantHaven will be in Booth #6080, 6082 at the show and if you are visiting we would love to see you. Portland is a gorgeous city in fall.
Until the fall edition, have a fantastic summer and we look forward to hearing all about your summer plant breeding adventures.
Kind regards
Geoff, Maureen & The PlantHaven Team |
New Variety Showcase.com |
