The business magazine for commercial growers
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54 MAY 2022 GPNMAG.COM of this breeding emphasis is a multitude of outstanding coleus varieties for spring production with wide-ranging versatility. In my opinion, the Premium Sun Coleus collection does not receive the attention or the utilization it deserves. It comprises of 10 varieties, including the new Ruby Heart for 2023 with its well-defined chartreuse serrated margin and ruby red center. The attributes of this series are colorful leaf patterns, late flowering, non-fading, vigor, and shade and sun tolerance. It has proven successful in spring production programs and landscape applications. This is considered a Pro Landscape Performer by the Ball Seed Co. with a proven track record. PanAmerican's breeding goal is the introduction of new and unique seed varieties as a cost-efficient alternative that provides the industry and consumer with innovative annuals and perennials that provide diverse application and exceptional performance. The Coleus Premium Sun collection achieves those goals, and in selecting a coleus program for spring production this series should receive serious consideration. 4. LANTANA 'BANDOLISTA PINEAPPLE' Syngenta Flowers Syngenta offers a formidable Lantana portfolio with a series for every production program and consumer application. The Bandito, Bandana, Landscape Bandana and Bandolero offer a wide diversity in flower size, color, vigor, and growth habit. The new Bandolista series, comprised of Coconut, Mango, Pineapple and Red Chili, is quite different from the current varieties in the program offering a mounded and, most importantly, a semi-trailing habit for large containers and basket production. The Bandolista series is sterile except for Coconut and will provide the grower and consumer with an early flowering series with exceptional summer performance. The Bandolista varieties in the trial bed were uniform and vigorous, had larger flower clusters, a prolific flower count, and a semi-trailing habit that will characterize this series. I was impressed with the brightness, cluster size and vigor of Pineapple, as depicted in the enclosed photo. 5. DIANTHUS CHINENSIS 'CORONET WHITE+PURPLE EYE' PanAmerican Seed Any grower producing the Coronet chinensis series will be excited by the two new colors for 2023: Purple and White Purple Eye. What sets this series apart from other chinensis types is the large flowers with a wide assortment of colors. I was enamored by the striking bicolor White Purple Eye, with its prolific flower canopy and compact habit. This series is used in cool-season programs for early sales and offers a colorful presentation in color bowls and mixed with pansies. The series, now comprised of six colors and a mix, matures at 8 to 10 inches and, with this mix of solid and bicolor flowers, offers a striking color palette with sales appeal for the spring and fall seasons. VAUGHN'S VIEW 5 4