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November-December, 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

Agastache foeniculum ‘Golden Jubilee’ Symmetrical, branching plant with golden, aromatic leaves. Annual herb reaches 20 inches tall and spreads 10 to 15 inches. Dense lavender-blue flower spikes. Leaves release a mint fragrance when lightly crushed. (K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.) W

Carnation F1 ‘Can Can Scarlet’
A most fragrant garden carnation with double, 2-inch bright scarlet blooms on contrasting grey-green foliage. Heat tolerant. Mature plants will reach 12 to 14 inches tall. (Sakata) W

Dianthus F1 ‘Corona Cherry Magic’
First dianthus with a capricious bicolor pattern. Flowers can be entirely cherry red, entirely lavender or a mosaic of both colors. Expect large, 2-inch blooms on plants 7 to 9 inches tall with a spread of 8 to 10 inches. (PanAmerican Seed Co.) W

Eustoma F1 ‘Forever White’
Large 2.5-inch ivory-white blooms cover the compact, 12-inch branching plant throughout the growing season. Heat and low moisture tolerance. Perfect for patio containers where blooms can be appreciated with close contact. (PanAmerican Seed Co.) W

Gaillardia pulchella ‘Sundance Bicolor’
The first consistent mahogany red and yellow bicolor flower features double globe-shaped blooms on plants that spread 15 to 16 inches. Heat and drought tolerant full sun annual. (Hem Zaden B.V.) W

Ornamental Millet F1 ‘Purple Majesty’
Distinctly different ornamental 3- to 5-foot tall purple-leaved millet has 8- to 12-inch flower spikes that can be cut and used dramatically in floral arrangements or left on the plant to feed the birds. (PanAmerican Seed Co.) W

Petunia F1 ‘Blue Wave’ (F)
Velvety, dark blue 2-inch blooms cover this trailing plant capable of spreading 3 to 4 feet like a ground cover. Mature plant height can be 4 to 7 inches. No pinching or pruning is needed. (PanAmerican Seed Co.) W

Petunia F1 ‘Merlin Blue Morn’ (F)
A distinctly different blue and white petunia, the 2.5-inch blooms are white in the center with a soft transition to velvety blue on the petal edge. The 15- to 30-inch tall branching plants will spread 18 to 30 inches. (Sakata) W

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ (F)
Very large (5") distinctive flowers with light yellow tips on golden petals that encircle a green center. The branching 28- to 32-inch plants have long stems ideal for cut flowers. Easy to grow and maintain. (Benary) W

Salvia ‘Blue Angel’
Exceptional ultramarine color and robust habit (24 inches) to give that extra something garden. Perfect for summer long color in flowerbeds, larger pots, patio planters or as a delicate splash of color in a perennial bed. (Benary) W

Snapdragon ‘Coronette Mix’
Very thick, strong stems create a sturdy plant (20-24 inches tall) in the garden, able to withstand wind and rain. The stout stems don’t require staking. Densely branched, the dark green foliage offsets the vivid flowers, for high impact color. (S&G Flowers) W

Sunflower F1 ‘Pollen-free Mix’
A new collection of beautiful bicolor sunflowers offering the home gardener exciting colors and combinations. These pollen-free sunflowers are excellent for landscaping as well as cut flower use over an extended season. (K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.) W

Sweet Pea ‘Blue Celeste’
The alluring pale blossoms of this ruffled beauty are perfumed and abundant. Entrancing as a cut flower with the luminous color of Renee’s favorite spring iris. These British-bred specialty sweet peas are also strong performers in the garden. (Renee’s Garden) R

Trachelium ‘Passion in White’
‘Passion’ presents bloom in an umbel of up to 5 inches on compact and branching plants. Also new to the series are ‘Passion in Deep Purple’ and ‘Passion in Lilac.’ (Daehnfeldt) W

Vinca ‘Jaio Dark Red’ (BP)
A really red vinca with a small white center sets this vinca apart from all others. Large 2.5-inch blooms cover the glossy green foliaged 15-inch tall basal branching plants that can spread up to 20 inches. (Murakami Seed) W

Vinca ‘SunStorm™ Mix’
Early to flower, compact, super well branched, and extremely free-flowering. That means fuller plants covered with color in the garden. The deep green foliage highlights large, rounded, richly-colored blooms. Rated a top performer in independent trials. (S&G Flowers) W

Vinca ‘Victory Bright Eye’
Large flowers are pure white with a bright red center. Excellent basal branching. Does well in containers and in the garden. Vinca ‘Victory’ is available in 11 colors. (Sakata) W

Viola ‘Angel Red Flame’
This red-hot flower color is striking in any aspect of the garden. Adds to the versatile ‘Angel’ series that contains the unique ‘Tiger Eye.’ Compact habit with extreme cold tolerance. (Floranova) W

Viola F1 ‘Antique Blue Wing’
One of an exciting new series of small violas. They are low growing, forming a spreading mass of flowers. Ten separate colors in the series give excellent opportunities for carpet bedding and pots. (K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.) W

Viola ‘Sorbet™ Orange Duet’
Vigorous little charmers make a big impact, spring and fall! Each showy, mounded plant boasts blooms in a unique combo of purple cap and orange face. Non-stop cool-season performers create spectacular baskets, planters and gardens. Excellent over wintering. (PanAmerican Seed Co.) W

Zinnia ‘Zinnita Formula Mix’
At 6-8 inches, ‘Zinnita’ is ideally suited for annual borders and mixed containers. The abundance of 1.5- to 2-inch fully double flowers will brighten any sunny location. Colors: Yellow, Orange, Rose, Scarlet, White and mixture. (Benary) W

VEGETABLES

Cucumber ‘Poinsett 97’
This new slicing cucumber is sure to be a hit with home gardeners. Exceptionally disease resistant, great tasting, and very attractive cucumbers get 9 to 11 inches long. Resistant to A, ALB, ALS, CMV, DM, PM, S, ZYMV! 55 days. (Territorial Seed Company) R

Cucumber ‘Spring Swallow’
Thrives in heat and humidity! 6-foot vines produce a bounty of 7- to 10-inch dark green fruits with a sweet flavor. Pick young as a petite or grow to full size for slicing. Resists WV, CMV and tolerates Mildew. (Park Seed Company) R

Cucumber F1 ‘Sweeter Yet’
Sets standard for good taste in salad cucumbers. Dark green fruits are totally non-bitter, “burp-free,” very mild sweet flavor. Best harvested when 10 to 12 inches long. Maturity is just 48 days. Vigorous plants are loaded with strong disease resistance. (Seminis) W

Eggplant F1 ‘Orient Express’
Outstanding early productivity. Attractive, slender 8- to 10-inch glossy black fruits in the long Asian style. Potential harvest 2 weeks before other early varieties, features ability to set fruit in cool weather as well as under heat stress. Tender, delicate flavor. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R

Lettuce ‘Renee’s Caesar Duo’
A pairing of Renee’s favorite Romaine lettuces, choosing the most delicious and crispy red and green leafed varieties. Pick them at baby size or let them grow into dense juicy heads for a fabulous season of fresh gourmet Caesar salads. (Renee’s Garden) R

Melon F1 ‘Angel’ (V)
Sweet flavored 2- to 3-pound melons have a white interior with a crisp texture. The lightly netted skin turns creamy yellow when mature, about 60 days from planting. Vines spread 6 to 7 feet. Resistant to fusarium wilt races 0 and 2. (Known-You) W

Micro Greens ‘Spicy’ and ‘Mild’
Micro Greens are the newest craze! These blends are different from lettuce mixes in that they include such greens as beet, radish and other unique flavored and textured varieties. Micro Greens are used like sprouts or as an addition to salads or as a garnish. (Botanical Interests, Inc.) R

Onion ‘Red Long of Tropea’
90 days. Tall, elongated, red bulbs. Traditionally grown in the Mediterranean for harvest just at maturity in mid-late summer. Not for storage. Nice specialty variety. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R

Pepper ‘Autopick Pepper PVP’
65-75 days from transplant. This labor saving salsa pepper is the result of over 10 years of breeding effort. As you pick the 6-9cm hot red peppers, the stems remain on the plant not on the fruit, meaning that coring is eliminated. (Territorial Seed Company) R

Squash, Summer F1 ‘Papaya Pear’ (V)
The first summer squash with a shape like a light bulb. Harvest the bright yellow squash about 40 days from sowing seed, when fruit is about 3 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. The semi-bush plant requires less garden space. (Seminis) W

Squash, Winter ‘Windsor Cup’
Compact bush plants are a home garden space-saver, yielding 2- to 4-pound fruit that resemble buttercup squash. Very high quality yellow-orange flesh that is dry and smooth. Matures in 100 days from seeding and stores well for wintertime use. (Harris Seed) R

Tomato F1 ‘Floralina’
One of the best yielding new varieties to come along in years. Fruits are picture-perfect, large, beautiful, smooth, weigh about half pound each and present very small blossom scar. Widely adapted with good disease resistance. Maturity 72 days from transplant. (Seminis) W

Tomato F1 ‘Window-Box Roma’ *
Bred especially for growing in pots and planters on decks and patios. Short growing plants have unusual, attractive dark green blistered foliage, and freely set a large crop of meaty pear shaped fruits. Excellent flavor and a delight to grow. (Seminis) W