2024 Highlights Thrive Report
California SpringTrial s
Agastache
m. Summerlong™ Series
DARWIN PERENNIALS
This Retailers’ Choice winner at Cultivate 2024 showcased a dense habit and abundant, consistent blooms across all varieties. A reliable pick for vibrant, long-lasting color.
Begonia
Adora™ Series
SYNGENTA FLOWERS
2024 intro ‘Emerald Salmon’ shined among its past intro siblings ‘Satin Rose’ and ‘Velvet Red’. Rich hues and lush foliage made this series a standout in trials.
Begonia
b. BIG® White Bronze Leaf
An F₁ hybrid delivering on its name with big, white flowers contrasting against bronze leaves. Exceptional flower power for maximum impact in its trial settings. BENARY
Treworuo
Mast Young Plants | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
D.S. Cole Growers | NH
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Mast Young Plants | MI
NEW! ‘EMERALD SALMON’ ‘VELVET RED’
‘LEMON’
‘SATIN ROSE’
‘MAGENTA’
iewGardensOpen House
2024 Standouts 2025
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The EHR Thrive Report spotlights some of the bestperforming new varieties from our 2024 EHR 101 and 2025 Hot New Perennials reports. Captured in photos by our team at various plant trials throughout 2024, these select plants exemplify exceptional beauty and performance, distinguishing themselves in this past year’s summer trials.
As we mark our calendars for 2025’s trials ahead, here’s a recap of the newbies and standouts that should be on benches this spring.
Begonia Birthday Bash™ Series
Compact plants with ruffled double flowers and bronze foliage. All four colors performed consistently well, perfect for adding flair to containers. SYNGENTA FLOWERS
Begonia rex Space Age™ Series
PROVEN WINNERS
Vigorous rex begonias with dense, striking foliage. ‘Black Hole’ was notably impressive with its deep coloration, with ‘Triton’ being a close second for favorites.
Buddleia Chrysalis™ Steel Blue
DARWIN PERENNIALS
New ‘Steel Blue’ joined the series with strong performance. ‘Chrysalis Blue’ overwintered well at Cincinnati Zoo; ‘Cranberry’ impressed at Mast Young Plants.
Plantpeddler | IA
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Lucas Greenhouses | NJ
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Mast Young Plants | MI Penn State Trials | PA
Cultivate Tradeshow | OH
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
‘CHOCOLATE CHERRY’
‘BLACK HOLE’
‘STEEL BLUE’
‘TITAN’
‘CRANBERRY’
‘EUROPA’ ‘BLUE’
‘COTTON CANDY’ RASPBERRY SORBET’
#1 Top Trial Pick of 2024
Helianthus Sunfinity® Double Yellow
SYNGENTA FLOWERS
Compact but loaded with long-lasting blooms. Ideal for mass plantings needing continuous color, proven by its performance in every trial application - wow!
Buddleia Little Rockstars Series
DUMMEN ORANGE
Compact but loaded with long-lasting blooms. Ideal for mass plantings needing continuous color, proven by its performance in the Raker-Roberta’s trials.
Calibrachoa
Lia™ Sky Blue
Vivid sky-blue flowers with prolific blooming. A cool-toned addition that brightened trials. This was a favorite in every trial it was showcased in! DANZIGER
Calibrachoa
Lia™ Abstract Lemon Cherry
Pattern was subtle at Penn State Trials but showed abundant blooms elsewhere. A fan favorite for its floriferous nature and bright, fun coloring. DANZIGER
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Penn State Trials | PA
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Penn State Trials | PA
Penn State Trials | PA
DGI Propagators | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Lucas Greenhouses | NJ
Plantpeddler | IA
‘RED’
‘PURPLE’
Boldy Forward Thrive
Calibrachoa Caliloco™ Series
WESTHOFF FLOWERS
Unique, eye-catching patterns captured in one collection. ‘Starfire Orange’ and ‘Illusion’ were standouts at Plantpeddler both with a vibrant and bold look.
Calibrachoa EyeCatcher Series
WESTHOFF FLOWERS
Extension of Calitastic™ series but features a dark eye in each variety. Exhibited in trials, the contrasting eye was consitent and captivating across the board.
Calibrachoa MiniFamous® Uno Funtopia Pink, Blue
Consistently performed well from Cultivate to PVG trials, with fun, frilly flowers. Especially displayed nice in baskets and even in mixes like Dynamix Funtopia. SELECTA ONE
Calibrachoa Rainbow® Iced Blueberry
DUMMEN ORANGE
Despite less blue tint at Metrolina trials (early summer), it stood out at Plantpeddler with striking color and prolific blooms making it a favorite of the trial.
Canna Cannova® Gold Leopard
TAKII SEED
Consistently impressive from the West Coast at CAST to the eastern trials at Penn State. Unique coloring and robust habit make it a cool canna choice.
DGI Propagators | MI
Plantpeddler | IA
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Penn State Trials | PA
Lucas Greenhouses | NJ
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Plantpeddler | IA
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Penn State Trials | PA
Lucas Greenhouses | NJ
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Plantpeddler | IA
D.S. Cole
DGI Propagators
‘ILLUSION’
‘BLUE’
‘BLUE’
‘STARFIRE ORANGE’
‘SUNSET’
‘PINK’
‘STARFIRE ROSE’
‘WHITE’
MIX
Coleus ColorBlaze® Mini Me™ Chartreuse
PROVEN WINNERS
Frilly coleus variety added to the series, featuring vibrant chartreuse foliage that thrived in sun or shade at trials. Added bright color and texture.
Calibrachoa TerraScape Series
KIENTZLER
Performed well across trials in sun or shade. Slightly smaller at Metrolina trials, but overall a versatile series that made a mega display at Raker-Roberta’s.
Dipladenia
Sun Parasol® FiredUp Orange
SUNTORY FLOWERS
A standout dipladenia with vibrant orange blooms, a really unique look. Performed well in various planting situations, even at Cultivate alongside intro ‘Bluephoria.’
Echinacea
Panama Rose™
DANZIGER
Alongside intro ‘Guatemala Papaya’, both showed robust growth and vivid colors, but ‘Panama Rose’ was a show-stealer. Both introductions are produced from URCs.
Geranium / Pelargonium Glory Days Series
DUMMEN ORANGE
Vibrant blooms with a gradient effect appearing almost neon. Difficult to capture the vivid color in photos but stunning in person and at the few trials exhibited!
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Mast Young Plants | MI
DGI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Cultivate Tradeshow | OH
Mast Young Plants | MI
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Mast Young Plants | MI
‘BURGUNDY LIME’
New Combos Fresh
Combo Syngenta Geranium Combos
Innovative geranium recipes aimed at refreshing sales, each with a fresh take on this classic plant. Promising combinations observed in trials!
Combo Bandolista™ Lava Flow™ Mix
Excellent mix of Lantana Bandolista varieties. Filled in well with a vibrant display, especially in the Mast Young Plants trial garden.
Combo DuraBella Amazonas Mist
Exclusive combo to Mast Young Plants. A cohesive, vibrant blend where the petunia complements other varieties in color and habit.
Heliopsis Touch of Blush
PROVEN WINNERS
Variegated foliage with a blush of pink and covered in yellow blooms. Main attraction is assumed to be the unique foliage, but the floriferous blooms proved just as striking.
Hibiscus Summerific® Cookies And Cream
PROVEN WINNERS
Instant standout and nearly instant sellout! Compact hibiscus with dark foliage and large white blooms. Striking contrast in a smaller package. Book early for best availability!
DGI Propagators | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Mast Young Plants | MI
DGI Propagators | MI
Mast Young Plants | MI
Mast Young Plants | MI
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC Walters Gardens | MI
Walters Gardens | MI Walters Gardens
MI Walters Gardens | MI
SYNGENTA FLOWERS
SYNGENTA FLOWERS DANZIGER
Impatiens NG
Roller Coaster Hot Magenta
DUMMEN ORANGE
Ruffled, nearly neon magenta blooms that held up well in heat. Without a doubt the most vibrant pink bloom at any trial site, nearly impossible to capture on camera!
Petunia Dekko™
Rose Vein, Maxx™ Pink
SYNGENTA FLOWERS
‘Maxx™ Pink’ has a smaller flower comparitvely to other petunias, but *super* floriferous, looking especially good in the landscape.
‘Rose Vein’ was a vibrant intro alongside it.
Trending
Ideas & Programs Spotted at Trials
Cut Flower Program
Raker-Roberta’s seen at Fall Program
DGI Propagators seen at
Seen at their trials, R2 offers 200+ cut flower varieties, custom-grown to fit any schedule. Great for established growers or those just starting to explore cut production.
“Fall... it’s not just for mums!”
We spotted autumn color this summer with DGI’s fall lineup. It goes beyond mums, pairing ornamentals like kale, peppers, and rudbeckias for festive porches and patios.
Fertilizer Trial
Mast Youngseen at
Unique Arrangements
Pleasant View seen at Gardens Plants
A new display at their trials, MYP tested 3 feed regimens, showing that consistent, moderate fertilization yields top results. Coleus and begonias, in particular, excelled even on lower feed.
PVG wowed visitors with imaginative displays - think stylish window boxes and garden center vignettes. These are ready-to-replicate ideas that inspire shoppers and boost curb appeal.
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC DGI Propagators | MI
D.S. Cole Growers | NH
DGI Propagators | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC Mast Young Plants
Lucas Greenhouses | NJ
Plantpeddler
Young Plants
‘ROSE VEIN’
Osteospermum
4D™ Blue Ice
PANAMERICAN SEED
Large flowers with unique pale blue and white coloring made it a cool-toned favorite at Plantpeddler trials. Not spotted at every trial, the array icy blooms earns it a spot here.
Petchoa SuperCal® Premium Rose Star
SAKATA ORNAMENTALS
Vivid coloring and abundant blooms upheld the SuperCal® reputation. A reliable performer at each trial, fitting well alongside series companions in vibrancy and flower power.
Petunia Capella™ Fuchsia Lace, Pink Morn
DANZIGER
‘Fuchsia Lace’ made strong impressions at trials with vibrant colors and good pot habit. ‘Pink Morn’ is a top contender among pink petunias for coverage and color.
Petunia Painted Love™ Purple
SYNGENTA FLOWERS
Seen in a variety of plantings at all trials, habit was generally consistent and the white edging against the purple was present on nearly all blooms - super contrast!
Petunia Supertunia Tiara™ Blue, Pink
PROVEN WINNERS
Both colors truly dazzled in the sun at each trial, with abundant blooms and vibrant hues. Another proven high-performance petunia to join the Supertunia line.
Petunia Tea™ Flamingo
BEEKENKAMP
Originally flying under the radar for us, it went unmissed at trials. Abundant blooms with a pleasing habit. Vintage pink hue added charm and uniqueness.
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Lucas Greenhouses | NJ
Mast Young Plants | MI
Mast Young Plants | MI
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
DGI Propagators | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Mast Young Plants | MI
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Mast Young Plants | MI
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Mast Young Plants | MI
‘FUCHSIA LACE’ ‘FUCHSIA LACE’ ‘ROSE MORN’
‘TIARA™ BLUE’
‘TIARA™ BLUE’
‘TIARA™ PINK’
Want to add to your spring orders?
Contact our office or your EHR sales rep!
Rudbeckia Sunbeckia Graffiti Cherry
BULL PLANT GENETICS
A new addition to the Sunbeckia series is the Graffiti line, super flower display with a long bloom time. Other intros impressive, but ‘Graffiti Cherry’ is a trial favorite.
Scaevola
Stardiva® Series
PROVEN WINNERS
Especially unique flower shape. Offered abundant star-shaped blooms on all 3 varieties (Pink, Blue, White). Provided a sparkling display at PVG Open House.
Veronica longifolia
Skyward™ Lilac
DARWIN PERENNIALS
High flower count consistent with the Skyward™ series companions. ‘Lilac’ added vertical interest with its spires showing off a lovely purple shade.
Vinca
Nirvana® XDR Series
SYNGENTA FLOWERS
Smaller at Metrolina (early and most vinca struggled) but showed great flowers elsewhere. Only vegetative vinca with XDRlevel resistance to aerial Phytophthora strains.
Vinca
Titan-ium™ Series
PANAMERICAN SEED
Impressive flower power with added disease resistance to aerial Phytophthora. A robust new series of vinca. ‘Apricot,’ ‘Blush,’ and ‘Dark Red’ especially displayed well at trials.
Vincas
Soiree® Double Orchid Improved
SUNTORY FLOWERS
Beautiful double flowers with a tight, bloomcovered habit. Displayed well next to other intro ‘Double Pink Improved’ which was just as notable.
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Penn State Trials | PA
Penn State Trials | PA
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Lucas Greenhouses | NJ
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Penn State Trials | PA
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Mast Young Plants | MI
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Metrolina Greenhouses | NC
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
‘BLUE’
‘DBL. ORCHID IMP.’
‘PINK’
‘DBL. PINK IMP.’
‘BLUE HALO’
‘WHITE’
‘DBL. ORCHID IMP.’
‘CRANBERRY HALO
‘DARK RED’
Past Performers Encore
The old is still gold! These proven favorites continue to dazzle with top-tier performance, proving that “new” isn’t the only standard for excellence. Here’s a look at past introductions that scored an A+ in bloom power and habit during the 2024 season (and for many seasons to come).
Mast Young Plants | MI
Mast Young Plants | MI
Raker-Roberta’s | MI
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Aris - Green Leaf Plants | PA
Pleasant View Gardens | NJ
Begonia Stonehedge™ Series | Benary
Gomphrena Ping Pong Purple | Sakata Salvia Salgoon® Series | Hilverdaflorist
Leucanthemum FlowerPower | GardenChoice Salvia Unplugged® So Blue™ | Proven Winners
Bracteantha Granvia Series | Suntory Flowers
Echinacea Double Scoop™ Watermelon Deluxe | Darwin Perennials
Pelargonium Caldera™ Lavender Glow | Syngenta Flowers
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
Aris - Green Leaf Plants | PA Penn State Trials | PA Mast Young Plants | MI Breeder Showcase & Trials | OH
‘CRIMSON SUN’ ‘GOLD’ ‘PEACHY KEEN’
