The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) recently announced its 2013 Cut Flower of the Year winners, naming Amethyst™ coral berry (Symphoricarpos x. doorenbosii ‘Kordes’) as top cut in the woody plants category. The unique shrub was noted for “masses of hot pink berries which ripen into the fall” and as “relatively easy to cultivate as a cut flower crop, with fruiting stems as long as 60 inches.” Evaluation is based on recommendations from cut flower growers and the performance in the ASCFG trials, the only national cut flower evaluations. Plants are evaluated across all zones for hardiness, yield, stem strength, and marketability.
“We are very appreciative of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers for their ongoing trialing of flowering shrubs,” said Tim Wood, Marketing and New Plant Development Manager for Spring Meadow Nursery. “This is the third Proven Winners shrub to be recognized by their work, and we will continue to introduce varieties that meet the needs and expectations of the cut flower industry.”
Unusual foliage, improved stem strength, and repeat bloom seasons are attributes of Proven Winners shrub varieties that make a for a thriving plant in cut flower gardens. Fan favorites Coppertina™ ninebark (Physocarpus) and ‘Limelight’ hydrangea have been honored previously by the ASCFG in 2011 and 2007 respectively. Several new varieties with cut flower potential will be making their way to retail this spring. Show Off® Sugar Baby forsythia is a dwarf, upright selection of the bright yellow spring favorite that is covered in flowers along the entire length of its stem. Bobo® hardy hydrangea is a dwarf variety engulfed by large white flowers held upright on strong stems, already earning the Belgium Gold Florall award for best novelty plant. ‘Aphrodite’ sweetshrub (Calycanthus) blooms continuously with very fragrant, bright red magnolia-like flowers that pop against glossy foliage. Pucker Up!™ red twig dogwood (Cornus) is distinctive with glossy, puckered foliage that would stand out in any bouquet, and when the seasons change, the red stems continue the year-round display.
For more information please contact Shannon Springer at shannon@springmeadownursery.com.
About Proven Winners® ColorChoice®
Proven Winners ColorChoice is the brand name of Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc., a market leader in flowering shrubs, potted liners, and starter plants. Located in Grand Haven, Michigan, Spring Meadow Nursery has over 500 varieties in their catalog, including 200 varieties marketed under the Proven Winners ColorChoice brand, including Incrediball® Hydrangea, ‘Limelight’ Hydrangea, My Monet® Weigela, Wine & Roses® Weigela, Quick Fire® Hydrangea, and Invincibelle® Spirit Hydrangea. For more information, visit www.colorchoiceplants.com and www.springmeadownursery.com.
Source: Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc.