(KUSA) - Plant breeders and growers introduce new hybrids and varieties each year. Some gain great popularity; others don't. Some are so unusual that they require clever planting partners to show them to best effect.
The black petunias and pansies are definitely unusual. 'Black Velvet' petunia does appear to be nearly black with a thin yellow stripe. 'Pinstripe' petunia is also deep burgundy-black with a more pronounced stripe. Two types of viola pansies, 'Halloween' and 'Sorbet Black Delight' have nearly-black flowers.
These dark flowers can get lost if not carefully planted. I'd pair them with bright chartreuse foliage such as that of golden sweet potato vine, or bright yellow flowers such as marigolds or zinnias.
That deep, nearly-black color also appears in two new Callibrachoa hybrids. 'Superbells Blackberry Punch' bright purple bells with a nearly black center, and ''Superbell Coralberry Punch' is similar but with a coral-pink background color.
Regal geraniums, sometimes called "Martha Washington" geraniums often have intense, deep purple-black markings on the flowers. 'Elegance Burgundy' is the color of deep red silk with even darker interior color.
Saturated colors are seemingly all the rage. The new verbena 'Estrella Voodoo Red' features intensely red flowers. Two new impatiens, 'Patchwork Peach Prism' and 'Patchwork Pink Shades' offer bright flowers with darker central patches. The flowers are both large and eye-catching.
A new lobelia, 'Techno Heat Violet' has bold violet-pink flowers and takes summer heat better than most lobelias. 'Pink Lemonade' petunia is bright pink with a yellow center. The name is apt. 'Papaya' petunia is also well named for its orange-pink flowers.
The smaller petunia hybrids are also getting attention. The plants are compact and the flowers are small but produced in great profusion. 'Littletunia Bicolor Illusion' has deep magenta-pink flowers with white stripes. Also striped is a new patio dahlia called 'Lucky Love.' Its single white flowers are charmingly striped and freckled with burgundy.
Set a trend with these interesting new hybrids on your patio this season.
Plants shown on 9NEWS Thursday morning are courtesy of Tagawa Gardens.
(KUSA-TV © 2011 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
You Might Be Interested In