By Delilah Onofrey, Suntory Flowers
Photographs courtesy of Suntory Flowers
Spring is nearly here! Recently we’ve been seeing the first crocuses and daffodils sprouting, and an array of beautiful potted bulbs blooming at retail, as well as fragrant hyacinths, lilies and freesia.
Another spring favorite is daisies. Suntory Flowers has bred stunning new plants full of daisy-shaped blooms in fresh spring colors. The daisy category covers several species of garden plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. Two lines Suntory has in this family are Senetti pericallis and Grandaisy intergeneric hybrids.
Senetti is an excellent early spring choice for cold tolerance and vivid blooms. Two varieties that are perfect for Easter are the new Senetti Magic Salmon, which changes color as flowers age, and the new Senetti White, with bright white flowers and navy blue centers. Magic Salmon flowers start out dark periwinkle blue and the salmon pink center expands as flowers age – a cool Easter egg effect!
Senetti can tolerate outdoor conditions down to 35 degrees F. Once the first flush of blooms is past its prime, you can cut the plants back by 50% and get a fresh flush of blooms in a few weeks. But as summer approaches and temperatures rise to the mid 80s, Senetti will go out of flower.
Grandaisy prefers warmer temperatures than Senetti, but not summer heat. It is perfect for Easter and Mother’s Day. It is an intergeneric hybrid cross between argyranthemum and ismelia – creating a superior color range, full vigorous plants and supersized flowers! Favorites for Easter include Grandaisy White, Yellow and the striking Pink Halo – light pink flowers with a dark pink ring around the disk. Richer colors include Dark Pink and Red Improved.
Grandaisy plants are perfect to grab and go, to place on your patio, and to give to hostesses as Easter gifts or mom for Mother’s Day! How about a Grandaisy for grandma?
Look for Senetti and Grandaisy at your favorite garden plant retailers this spring.
By Laura Root
Photos courtesy of Jackson & Perkins
Gardeners are always thinking ahead to the next season or the next year. And, fall is the ideal time to think about spring. Flowering shrubs, perennials and spring bulbs are great choices.
Click here for an interesting article about spring bulbs.
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