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September-October, 2002

Gardeners are looking for new plants every year. Here are new flowers and vegetables that will be featured in 2003 mail order seed catalogs, seed packets or as bedding plants at garden centers. The varieties are listed alphabetically by class, with the seed source listed in parentheses after the description. The designation “R” means a retail seed company from which gardeners may purchase seed directly by mail order or also in stores that carry the variety in seed packets. A “W” designation indicates a wholesale seed company which does not sell directly to home gardeners, but these varieties should be available in catalogs or as bedding plants at garden centers next spring.

FLOWERS

Begonia ‘Fortune Orange Shades’
This variety provides a range of color from dark, deep red-orange to a mid-range orange variegated with creamy white. The unique color is supported by the strength of the ‘Fortune’ series uniform compact habit and short flower stems for a most durable habit. (Daehnfeldt) W

Calendula ‘Daisy Formula Mix’ *
The ‘Daisy’ series represents dwarf, well-branched calendulas, popular because of their durability and easy cultivation. The lovely single flowers are 1.5 to 2 inches across. (K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.) W

Campanula ‘Bellringers’ *
Unusual large pendulous flowers with eye-catching maroon spotted interior in a mix ranging from white to purple-red. Flowers from early summer till early autumn. Fully hardy, semi shade-full sun perennial [Zones 5-9]. (Kieft) W

Canna ‘Tropical Yellow’ *
This is a dwarf canna from seed. Height 24-30 inches. Seed to flower is 90-120 days. The ‘Tropical’ series is naturally branching making them promising in the garden and in pots. Colors available: Red, Rose, Salmon and Yellow. (American Takii) W

Datura ‘Angels Trumpet’
The exotic citrus fragrance of the 6-inch long white trumpet-shaped flowers will make this a must for gardeners looking for something “different.” (Botanical Interests, Inc.) R

Delphinium ‘Butterfly Mix’ *
The ‘Butterfly’ series is a rich and long flowering strain for use in beds, pots and patio containers. It has a neat and compact plant habit, 16-inch height, and can generally be grown as an annual. Available in Blue, Rose, Light Blue, White and a mixture. (Hem Zaden B.V.) W

Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ *
A cascade of silver! Loaded with tiny silver leaves on silver stems, it’s an excellent accent plant for mixed containers and baskets. Great groundcover, too – each quick-growing plant can grow up to 6 feet! Very drought and heat tolerant. (PanAmerican Seed Co.) W

Gazania ‘Tiger Mix’ *
Striking mix boasts large, creamy white blooms with stripes in sun-bright colors. Compact, short-stemmed sun lovers are drought tolerant and stay neat all season. Terrific garden vigor and super-easy care make ‘Tiger Mix’ ideal for summer beds, containers and baskets. (Ball Seed Co.) W

Geranium ‘Florever™ Red’ *
Bred to be pollen-free, so they don’t set seed, means continuous flowering long after other geraniums have gone to seed. This extended season color requires little or no maintenance. Well-branched, free flowering with strong stems, ‘Florever’ delivers excellent garden performance! (S&G Flowers) W

Geranium ‘Speedy Mix’ *
An Ivy Geranium mixture of pastel lilac shades, fast growing and strongly branching. Its well-spreading plant habit makes ‘Speedy’ ideal for window boxes, tubs and hanging baskets. (Hem Zaden B.V.) W

Gerbera ‘Festival Spider Yellow Orange Shades’
Bold range of vibrant color, from deep orange to bright yellow tones present on feathery petals of each flower. The compact habit and unique bloom make this an outstanding novelty plant. (Daehnfeldt) W

Hollyhock ‘Crème de Cassis’ *
Richly colored, heavily veined double and single blooms cover this 5-to 6-foot hollyhock in early to mid-summer! 2-to 4-inch blooms of deep black currant are edged in white in cool climates, or bright berry with a wide white margin in warmer areas. Zones 3-9. (Park Seed Company) R

Iberis ‘Candycane Mix’ *
A new fast growing uniform series of Candytuft for large beds and edgings. The series shows very even flowering. Also available in five attractive and matching colors – Lilac, Purple, Red, Rose and White. (Kieft) W

Impatiens ‘Cancun Mix’ *
‘Cancun Mix’ is a combination of salmon, orange and red shades to create a hot mix that is eye-catching. This brings the total number of mixes in Tempos to eight. (Bodger) W

Impatiens ‘Dazzler® Rose Swirl’ *
A brilliant bloomer. Hot rose picotee edge around a light pink center! Great garden vigor – plants size up fast in borders, beds, landscapes and containers. Compact and uniform with masses of bright, 1.5-inch flowers from spring until frost. (Ball Seed Co.) W

Isotoma ‘Blue Star’ *
An abundance of star-like flowers that cover the neat cushion shaped plants. Flowering from spring to late autumn, a truly tough ornamental for bedding and patio. (Kieft) W

Larkspur ‘American Flag’
Bodger Seed first planted a 17-acre field of red, white, and blue larkspur in the shape of an American flag in 1942. Bodger recreated this tradition to honor heroes and victims of September 11th. We are offering a piece of this American tribute. (Botanical Interests, Inc.) R

Mimulus ‘Magic White Blotch’
Unsurpassed for its compact habit and early flowering, ‘Magic White Blotch’ is wonderfully striking with its abundance of 2-inch blooms. Short production time, flowering six to seven weeks after sowing in long days. ‘Magic’ series includes 13 separate colors. (Floranova) W

Mimulus ‘Twinkle Mix’ *
‘Twinkle’ formula mix has masses of brightly colored flowers on compact 10-inch plants. It will flower within six to eight weeks from sowing and is suitable for growing in beds, tubs, baskets and window boxes. (Hem Zaden B.V.) W

Pansy ‘Flamenco Hybrid Mix’ *
A one-of-a-kind mix of double-flowered, long-blooming pansies in shades of violet, burgundy, rose, yellow and white. Developed in Italy, these compact 10- to 12-inch plants bloom well in spring and fall with fringed, 2.5- to 3-inch flowers. (Park Seed Company) R

Pansy F1 ‘Majestic Giants II Patricia’ *
The color of the upper petals is a purple rose and the lower petals are cream to yellow shades with a distinctive blotch. A vigorous bloomer with large flowers, a very unique color pattern and compact habit. (Sakata) W

Pansy F1 ‘Nature Formula Mix’ *
A ‘mini’ pansy, a multiflora pansy, free flowering like a viola yet larger flowered like a pansy. It has heat and cold tolerance, it’s a landscaper’s dream. Super traits include: earliness, compactness, vigorous habit and very floriferous. (American Takii) W

Petunia ‘Aladdin Orange’ *
This is an entirely new color for petunias. ‘Aladdin Orange’ will be great in color bowls or in mass plantings in the garden. (Bodger) W

Petunia ‘Avalanche Tropical Red’ *
Great habit, excellent for baskets. Looks great in mixed containers. Is more free flowering and looks great in the garden. ‘Tropical Red’ is a lighter shade of red than ‘Avalanche Red.’ (Bodger) W

Petunia ‘Easy Wave™ White’ *
The long-awaited ‘White’ spreading petunia! Fast-growing plants stay full in the center. Bloom all season without cutting back. Takes hot, cold, rain…super-easy to grow! Great for beds, baskets, containers. Also new: Cherry, Shell Pink and Pink. (PanAmerican Seed Co.) W

Petunia F1 ‘Explorer Blue’ *
The iridescent deep blue flower petals have a shiny iridescent waxy texture which repels water. Tremendous flower power. Spreading habit can easily cover 3 feet in diameter. One of the earliest to flower in the spring. (Sakata) W

Petunia ‘Frillytunia® Burgundy’
Its rich and vibrant color is wonderfully accentuated by the fully ruffled flowers. This novelty item is beautiful in pots and containers making a real showpiece for the garden. Plants have all the characteristics expected of a modern petunia. (Floranova) W

Petunia F1 ‘Symphony Rose Star’ *
This multiflora petunia is extra compact. In the garden, free-flowering plants continue to maintain their compactness. Expect flowers in 60-70 days after sowing in spring. (American Takii) W

Petunia ‘Tidal Wave™ Purple’ *
Loaded with vibrant, bright purple blooms! You decide how this “taller Wave” grows: space close for shrub like growth, farther apart for groundcover…each plant spreads up to 3 feet! Won’t flop over in rain. Great in containers, too! A Simply Beautiful™ selection. (Ball Seed Co.) W

VEGETABLES

Bean, Green Bush ‘Savannah’ *
Excellent eating quality and an attractive dark green color. Heavy yields are produced in 55 days on upright plants that offer a high pod placement for easy harvest. The attractive round beans are 5.5 to 6 inches in length, straight and smooth with slow seed development. (Harris Seed) R

Carrot F1 ‘Kinbi’ Golden yellow
The beautiful and tasty yellow carrots are uniform, 6 to 7 inches long with heavy shoulders tapering to a well-filled blunt tip. The flavor is complex and carroty. Great cooked or cut into strips for a vegetable platter. Nice, strong tops. 75 days. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R

Carrot ‘King Midas’ *
Offers large size and rich carrot flavor. They grow steadily into smooth, nearly coreless 8- to 9-inch beauties. These dense carrots have the deep orange flesh that indicates an especially high level of health enhancing beta carotene. (Renee’s Garden) R

Corn, Sweet F1 ‘Harris EXP 1001’ *
Beautifully refined and slightly tapered 8-inch ears are produced in 72 days on strong clean 6-foot plants. An attractive husk package offers ample cover and flagging for the 16 rows of very sweet and tender bicolor, sugary enhanced kernels. (Harris Seed) R