Nov. 16, 2010, St. Catharines, Ont. – This is the second in a series of photo features covering plant trials I toured this year throughout southwestern Ontario. This series does not cover all the trials, and hopefully we can expand our coverage next year. I approached the trials from the viewpoint of a consumer. What caught my eye? What would easily find a home in my landscape and planters?
JVK expanded its Niagara mid-summer bus tour program this year. The program was launched last year with a single tour. The feedback was so popular, the program was expanded this year to three tours.
Groups from Quebec, the Elmira (Ontario) region near Kitchener-Waterloo, and Manitoba and Saskatchewan participated in the tours that visited the JVK and Sobkowich Greenhouses show gardens, along with a number of area attractions. Some of the visitors also toured the Sawaya Garden Trials and Schenck Greenhouses.
Helping host the Quebec growers were territory managers Mireille Bourgon and Lise Anne Bernatchez, and sales coordinator Pierre Charbionneau.
Assisting with the Elmira growers were territory managers Kelly McIntyre and Eric Roesler.
Territory Manager Rob Brumwell helped coordinate the visit by the growers from Western Canada.
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| ‘Standing Madame Cornelissen’ fuchsia is a popular plant with consumers
<i>and</i> hummingbirds. It has sturdy stems and is very
floriferous. It has pink and white petals and rose-pink stamens. It
works well in hanging baskets. |
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The JVK display gardens featured a variety of grasses, displaying the wide range of sizes available.
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| 'Callie White’ calibrachoa was among the standout varieties in the JVK
gardens. The bright, white flowers contrast well against the lush green
foliage. |
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| The vegetable garden market continues to grow, and breeders are devoting
more attention to this trend. ‘Sweet ’n Neat’ cherry tomato plants are
upright and compact. |
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| ‘Titan Polka Dot’ vinca attracts butterflies and bees. It has very low
watering needs and is therefore outstanding in sunny, hot and dry
conditions. It has among the largest vinca flowers on the market. |
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| ‘Alabama Sunset’ coleus is bold and bright would be a focal point in any garden. It rarely disappoints consumers. |
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| These Stone Encrusted fibreglass planters offer a premium look for retail sales or high-end displays. |
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| The JVK open houses included the Green Crown organic line of plantable
and biodegradable coco fibre pots line. The containers maintain their
structural integrity in the greenhouse and will not pull moisture away
from the plant. The pots are rich in nutrients, including iron, copper,
zinc and magnesium. |
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| One of many impressive mixed containers in the JVK display gardens. This
recipe includes Miscanthus ‘Sinensis Rotsilber,’ Petunia ‘Blanket
White,’ Petunia ‘Blanket Zinfandel,’ Petunia ‘Blanket Rose’ and Petunia
‘Tiny Tunia Cabernet.’ |
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The Ramblin’ Series of petunias performs well throughout the season. They’re heat
and weather tolerant and work well in either containers or the
landscape. This is 'Ramblin Violet.'
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