We woke today in San Jose and headed out to Syngenta Flowers, where we loaded up on coffee and checked out some new varieties. This year’s Syngenta CAST theme is “Meet Us in the Garden,” and the brand presented a party of floral delights.
Syngenta is also going big on mixed containers, offering tons of inspiration for combining their colorful varieties. Particularly striking were containers featuring the Talavera coleus surrounded by bright blooms above clouds of Muehlenbeckia axillaris Coins. The latter plant is new and somewhat unassuming on its own, but added to a container, the tiny dark leaves create a unique eye-popping texture.
On site was ThinkPlants, with new genetics available for growers from a variety of breeders. One standout was Monrovia’s Camouflage Fatsia japonica, featuring beautiful broad leaves with unique variegation that gives the plant its name. But we were left wondering, if you wear camo to blend into plants, what does a plant need camo for?
Camouflage Fatsia japonica
After a detour for the annual garlic ice cream ritual, we made our way to a golf-themed Benary. While we didn’t sink any putts (we tried), we did take in some new plants.
Among the varieties, we saw a lovely white begonia new to the Benary Big line. The large blooms were set against a backdrop of dark bronze leaf foliage, making them pop. It’s certainly on theme as we see more and more plants with dark leaves and bright flowers. That theme was continued in the Nonstop begonia line with Mocca Rose, offering dark chocolaty leaves and blazing red flowers suitable for hanging baskets or pots.
Tucked amongst a variety of grasses, our eye was drawn to a display of Limonium sinuatum 'Hipster Blue'. It's part of Benary’s Hipster line and features a vibrant palette of drought-tolerant plants that provide color and texture and can be easily cut for arrangements.
Benary also debuted Masterpiece, the first F1 lobelia hybrid from seed. A FleuroSelect Gold Medal winner, it was selected for heat tolerance and its mounding habit.
Our next stop was a delight for the senses just a short winding road away. We spent a good deal of time with Hishtil touching and smelling a variety of new herbs. And varieties like the new Thymus citriodorus 'Fragrantissimus Orange' thrilled on all levels. Not only did it offer tiny white blooms, but the fragrance offered a deep and unique citrus that lingered in the nose and made us sigh with happiness.
Thymus citriodorus 'Fragrantissimus Orange'The same was true for Hishtil’s unique Ziziphora clinopodioides 'High Mountain Mint'. Not only did the plant offer a lovely compact habit with small arrowhead leaves, but it packed a bright, almost spearmint punch of scent that made our eyes widen with surprise. Because the plant is new to the U.S., not a ton is known about what USDA zones will be best for it, but the Hishtil rep said that it grows in dry mountainous regions in Israel where it thrives under cold, dry conditions. The Israel-based breeder markets its herbs in the Double Marvel program, reminding growers and retailers that herbs serve more than just a culinary purpose. Their ornamental characteristics are good for the garden and containers, where they offer attractive flowers and foliage.
It was a unique stop to end a unique day. And we can’t wait to see, smell and touch what tomorrow has in store.
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