Friday, August 17, 2012

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.

Friday, August 10, 2012

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.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

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.



Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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.