The 2013 Trial Gardens have been planted.  We are excited to see what the different combinations and new plants will entail during this summer season.  From the new varieties to utilizing plants in different ways, we think the gardens will showcase some of the beautiful plant material we get to grow.  I will begin to update the blog and show pictures of the progression of the plants as we move throughout the summer.

Calibrachoa MiniFamous Orange

This new Calibrachoa is stunning outdoors!  The bright orange color stands out, it is very vibrant.  Orange is a color that can blend well within combinations and across a property.  The Cali would be great in pots and any sort of raised container where it can spill over the edge.  With 1.5 inch blooms, this plant can get 10-15" tall and wide.  There are certain colors that stand out in the landscape, and this Orange Calibrachoa is one.

Vinca Jams 'N Jellies Blackberry

This Jams 'N Jellies Blackberry Vinca is a new variety that is a 2012 All American Selection.  This plant will win the hearts of some, while others might detest it.  With a dark purple to black in some light color this Vinca is sure to draw attention.  The downside is that this seed product is not an F1 Hybrid such as the Titan or Cora Vinca.  The Blackberry color is truly unique and this poster believes that it would stand out if planted with something that will offset the dark color.  There is a unique white eye that stands out against the dark bloom.  This plant will get from 10-14" tall, and they recommend planting 8-10" spacing.  While this plant may not be the most popular choice for vinca out there, it sure will get some attention for its AAS ranking.

Weekender and H2O Laborsaver Baskets

Do you have a property that would benefit from a Hanging Basket that is easier to maintain, and requires less water?  These two baskets are just that.  The Weekender is a 16" Basket and the Laborsaver is a 23" Basket.  The unique thing about both of these is their water reservoir system.  The plants sit in a planted tray within the basket, and wicking strips bring the water up to the soil for young plants.  When the plants are maturing, the roots will grow right into the reservoir!  With these baskets, watering is drastically cut down.  And if we receive lots of rain, the overflow drain allows water to escape so the soil is not sitting in water. 
These baskets have seemed to save time and money for the people that have used them so far.  It is an ever evolving product, they are working on a fertilizer tablet for the reservoir even.  The baskets can be hung from any sort of posts via hangers or there is a mount that can be purchased for the basket to sit in. 
We have grown in these baskets for 3 years now and think that they are very nice to work with.  They have produced some really nice hanging displays.

Petunia Famous Violet Picotee

Petunia Famous Violet Picotee is a stunning show within a landscape.  The color really pops, and the contrasting picotee brings excitement and interest to the planting.  A vegetative variety of petunia, this is a semi-trailing variety that will cover a lot of ground.  It will stay about 6-8" tall, and spreads 10-16".  This petunia is great on a ledge, where it can cascade over, and looks good combined within a larger planting bed.  Sometimes, it is noticed the Wave type petunias have issues with the centers not producing flowers, only blooming on the ends of the plant.  In the examples that have been seen by us here at Hood's we have not noticed that happening with this variety.  

Millet Jade Princess

Millet Jade Princess is a member of the grass family.  It's wide leaves feature a chartreuse color that stands out on its own.  Add to that, brilliant, puffy, flower plumes, Jade Princess is stunning.  It works really well as a backdrop, but you can plant other items behind, for this millet only gets 48" tall at the top of its plumes.  The majority of the foliage is well below that height.  Millet likes the full sun, and this Jade Princess prefers warmer temperatures.  The bed we planted this Jade Princess in, has other colors of Purple and Coral, both which stand out against the green of the millet.  It is a plant that is easy to plant, will spread out and cover space, and looks good throughout. 

Angelonia Archangel Raspberry Improved

Angelonia Archangel Raspberry Improved has been stunning from day one.  The deep burgundy-purple colored foliage stands rigidly on this upright plant.  It is every bit of the book 12-14" tall, ours is probably bigger now.  There is a nice 10-12" spread on the plants too.  This Angelonia looks as if it is a bit taller than the seed variety Serena, and the individual flower plumes are larger too.  At this point, coming into the end of July, Archangel Raspberry is a plant worth noting and recommending for landscape uses.