Improved SuperCal, bicolor zinnias, new begonias and more

SuperCal Premium petunia

This intergeneric calibrachoa-petunia cross offers performance that regular petunias can’t offer. Not only is it heat-tolerant and rain-tolerant, it’s cold-tolerant to 25° F. Sakata is relaunching the program with unique fall colors to help expand the sales window for petunias.

SuperCal Premium has bigger flowers than SuperCal and a more mounding habit, so Sakata is dropping a few SuperCal original varieties and introducing new options like SuperCal Premium Sunset Orange (seen above), Purple Dawn, Pearl White and Yellow Sun.

Sunpatiens Vigorous impatiens

New breeding has brought new vigor, better branching and better heat tolerance than the first generation of Sunpatiens. It’s ideal for cooler regions because of its quick-growing nature. Sweetheart White is new, while White is improved.

Angelissa angelonia

This new Angelissa series offers uniformity and complementary colors perfect for mixed containers. With larger flower spikes and strong, sturdy stems, it grows to 12-16 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. It comes in Purple, Rose and White.

Sundance lantana

This new series features strong, semi-mounding plants with outstanding heat tolerance. While Sundance Lantana can be used alone, Sakata is promoting its use in combinations, especially with SunPatiens. Growers can purchase the combinations from liners and grow with strong uniformity.

Viking Explorer begonia x hybridia

For use in hanging baskets, combinations and as a bedding plant, this new series has an abundance of extra-large blooms on top of glossy foliage. It’s all-weather resistant, growing 20-24 inches tall and 35-39 inches wide. It’s 10 days earlier than Dragonweed and grown from seed. It comes in Red on Green and Rose on Green.

Lighthouse primula

Unique, small flowers with an explosion of blooms on top of stems. Sakata is hoping that this new series with move the primula market to the East and improve early sales options. Its compact, uniform habit means no PGRs are required, and longer stems reduce the risk of botrytis. Constant blooms with great shelf life and ideal for retailers. Lighthouse comes in Blue, Pink, Rose, Yellow and Mix.

Gemstone anemone

A new series of cut flowers, Gemstone’s blooms grow to be 4 inches, perfect for holiday promotions. Its long harvest window extends its shipment season and its higher density production offers growers more chances for profit. This series offers bright, vibrant colors in Blue, Red Bicolor, Scarlet and White.

Profusion Zinnia Red Yellow Bicolor

This new color in the Profusion line is an AAS award-winner. It performs well in high heat and stands out in large containers or landscape plantings. It grows to 14-18 inches high and 20-24 inches wide.