Despite all the unique, different and interesting material we grow, there is still great demand for a dependable general-purpose, attractive, easy-care bedding plant. We’re talking about a plant that new gardeners might recognize and take home—one that a beginner could possibly grow well; one that is very forgiving of mistakes. For such a plant, we turn to the Wave and Easy Wave series of petunias. 

Wave Petunias are spreading petunias; they are similar to the Rambin’ series, only the Waves are more compact. They still have the large petunia flower trumpet, and they look great in the various trays we sell. For strong retail presence, we have always liked the Wave look and feel. Their compact habit stays nice and tidy on the bench after you set them up.

Calibrachoa is largely viewed as a commodity crop among buyers today, and the breeders have done a remarkable job of setting that expectation. It’s tough to pick out the differences; they offer an array of colors, varieties and series, and the plants themselves are considered strong performers.

So, if you are a breeder with a large stake in Calibrachoas—say, Proven Winners or Ball Horticultural—where do you go from here? What should the next Superbells be? What will next year’s Mini Famous be like?

In essence: are Calibrachoas good enough?

Our Caladium crop will make you stand out, because these plants steal the show. They are tropicals with very exotic-looking foliage, adding a hot splash of color to any shady spot, whether outdoors or indoors. Closely related to elephant ears (Alocasias and Colocasias), Caladiums are much, much smaller—generally about 24 to 36 inches tall—and a lot more colorful.

If you liked the Cottage Garden Bowls we featured before Easter, then you’ll love our Spring Decor Collection—beautiful combination pots and baskets created from Diefenbacher’s unique recipes.

We’ve given serious thought to how these mixes would grow out:

• Colors blend well, either in harmony or in contrast.
• Plants grow well together, so one doesn’t overwhelm the other as the season progresses.
• Habits support each other, so the flowers mingle well and the combo doesn’t become lop-sided.