THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608020090
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: 63 lines
IT'S NOT TOO LATE to plant flowers that bloom. In fact, you often can find real bargains at garden centers now.
One of the newest marketing concepts in flowering plants is called ``Proven Winners.'' It's not a promotion of one company but is a combined effort of several growers.
Growers propose flowering plants for the designation, and if other member growers agree, the plant is granted a ``Proven Winners'' tag. The tag will be used to identify a group of hybrid flowering plants that are versatile, long-blooming and easy to care for.
``Proven Winners'' have performed well in world markets like Europe and Asia. One criteria a plant must meet is that it provides long-lasting color, from spring to heavy frost.
These plants are called ``per-annuals'' to describe their unique growing habits. ``Per'' because they are tropical or tender perennials with long-term flowering habits and annuals because they are not cold hardy.
When planted in baskets or window boxes, some ``Proven Winners'' varieties will trail 4 to 5 feet by the end of the summer, sporting vibrant color from top to bottom.
In mild winter climates, ``Proven Winners'' will thrive year around. Whether they'll make it through the winter in Hampton Roads depends upon whether we have a mild or severe winter.
The best-selling of this new series this season has been Scaevola New Blue Wonder, a hybrid verbena. It's low growing and spreads quickly with compact blue blossoms. Another blue winner is Brachycome ``Ultra,'' also a good dry-weather plant.
Pink Tapien is a feathery-foliaged pink verbena that likes dry soil. It has performed like a champ in poolside planters and shallow tabletop containers at my house. It should be in every garden.
The new petunias named Supertunias and Surfinias also are fast-growing, long-living and weather-defying ``Proven Winners.'' They will cover 3 feet in six weeks and range in color from light pink to bright fuchsia and deep purple. These new champs bloom all summer, despite the rain and humidity, and have changed the petunia-buying habits of local gardeners.
Another plant in the series is Helichrysum ``Golden Beauty,'' a low-growing yellow strawflower.
I've grown each of the plants named, and the only problem I have with them is learning how to pronounce and spell their names.
Plant ``Proven Winners'' in regular soil with good drainage. Add some slow-release fertilizer and compost before planting. If the plants are very root bound, break up the roots on the bottom before putting it in the ground.
Don't plant too deeply. Place the plants at about the same soil level as when in the pots. Water well after planting. Continue to fertilize once a month and keep soil slightly on the dry side.
``Proven Winners'' are available in local garden outlets, including White's Old Mill Garden Center, K.B. Plant Farms, Lynnbrier Greenhouses and Teuwen Greenhouses in Chesapeake; Atlantic Garden Centers and McDonald Garden Centers in Virginia Beach; Johnson's Gardens in Suffolk; Old Thyme Garden Center in Machipongo; Maplewood Gardens in Nassawadox; Water's Edge Greenhouse in Exmore; and Murfreesboro Nursery in Murfreesboro, N.C. Other local retail garden outlets may stock them. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
PROVEN WINNERS
Helichrysum ``Golden Beauty'' is among the ``Proven Winners'' that
provide long-lasting color in the garden. by CNB