Early Spring 2012
Caliente Geraniums
To appreciate the best features of Caliente Geraniums,let’s consider them in light of their parents, Ivy and Zonal Geraniums—especially the Ivy Geraniums, which they favor.
Now, the Ivy Geranium is a decent plant and it does extremely well when tended, but all that care and maintenance can be a problem. If you let the plant get too dry and then water it too much, the leaves will develop a type of blister on the underside that looks unsightly. It’s not a disease—the cell walls are bursting from the dry/wet cycle—but the results are unattractive.
Ivy Geraniums also have a lopsided habit in baskets and containers that requires steady trimming and attention to keep it looking neat and balanced. In this capacity Calientes really shine—the series is designed for excellent container and basket performance.
New & Funky Cordylines
Last year we purchased some material from a supplier and it turned out that we did not have a full box. Instead of shipping a partial box, we picked out material we had never tried before.
Several different kinds of Cordylines were available. Now, to us, Cordylines are sturdy filler plants that come in green and sometimes red. The leaves have strength and add volume, and act as a solid background for other more glamorous plants. Cordylines keep the big combos fresh for a long time.
They are useful, but not interesting.
Spreading Angelonias
In our world, something different is often better than something new, so we’d like to draw your attention to a type of Angelonia that is both new and different.
Standard Angelonias are known as Summer Snapdragons for good reason—they feature the same flower type and strong vertical stalk. This makes them perfect for the middle or back of a flowerbed or container. They generally stand about 18–24 inches high and form a loose stand of color when in bloom.
New Alocasias for 2012
Although we’ve grown Colocasias in prior years, we will be bringing a number of new Alocasias into full production for 2012. Both plants offer tropical flair to containers, landscapes and gardens, so the industry tends to use them interchangeably in designs and production.
Although these two types of tropicals are similar, there are differences as well. The general rule is: Alocasias can handle dry areas; Colocasias prefer wet conditions. Alocasias tend to feature larger leaves and plants, but both tropicals have dwarf varieties that are suitable for smaller spaces.
