Spring Trials Day 3: Ornamentals and edibles galore

Floricultura was packed with visitors on the morning of Day 3 of the California Spring Trials. Plug Connection showcased crowd favorite Ketchup ‘n’ Fries potato/tomato plant and merchandising ideas to put a spotlight on locally grown edibles. One display featured a 2015 introduction, Pixie Grape, complete with branded wine bottles with a Pixie label and wine glasses (see "Tiny and Tasty"). Westhoff added another “weird and whacky” plant to its Crazytunia line, Frisky Purple, which features a grape-colored petal with a lime green, star-patterned bloom in the center (see “A ‘wacky’ petunia.”). The company also showcased its HOT lobelia line, which includes indigo hues like the striking Waterblue.

Our second stop of the day was Sakata Seed America, where ornamental edible combinations were displayed prominently along the paths around the greenhouse. Foodscaping, while not a new idea, continues to increase in popularity.

We got to see the "intergalactic" plant that made news this year for being the first flower to bloom in outer space — the Profusion zinnia. Sakata's cut flower program, which has expanded to include more unusual colors for added combination options, was on full display with inspirational bouquets.

A giant cake layered with containers of SunPatiens that towered near the top of the greenhouse and a MINI Cooper decked out in the sun-loving plants' decals were displayed as part of the impatiens' 10th anniversary celebration (see "SunPatiens celebrates 10 years").

MasterTag and Summit Plastic Company shared space in the Sakata greenhouse and showed off their new solutions for impulse ornamental and vegetable plant sales, containers to drive holiday purchases and new NFL- and NCAA-themed pots for sports lovers. See "Self-merchandising veggies" to preview some of the packaging and learn more about the concepts.

Stay tuned for coverage from American Takii, OHP, Golden State Bulb Growers and Speedling.

• Tiny and tasty
• A 'wacky' petunia
• SunPatiens celebrates 10 years
• Self-merchandising veggies
• A recipe for perennials success
• Veggies for all types