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New varieties in spotlight

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New varieties in spotlight
Many new varieties, along with a number of tried-and-proven veteran garden performers, were featured during this year’s JVK Grower Day. The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary of serving Canadian horticulture.

November 10, 2008 – Many new varieties, along with a number of tried-and-proven veteran garden performers, were featured during this year’s JVK Grower Day. The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary of serving Canadian horticulture. In addition to the JVK display gardens in St. Catharines, the day also featured tours of Proven Winners varieties at nearby Sobkowich Greenhouses.

	This ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia display featured a glowing testimonial from an extremely happy customer.
	Part of the Niagara region, including the JVK and Sobkowich gardens, endured a couple of serious hailstorms in July. Most of the plants quickly bounced back in time for their open houses. These newspaper reports told the story at Sobkowich Greenhouses.
	A featured Sobkowich display was their Petunia Tree, made up of a few dozen of baskets of Supertunia ‘Raspberry Blast!’
	The Water Wise kit from Proven winners makes plant care much easier and helps gardeners conserve water.
	Proven Winners is introducing two new begonias – Mandalay, which likes full sun and prefers to be dry, and Bellagio, a double-flower variety which prefers the shade. Both are perfect for containers, whether in upright applications or in hanging baskets. Ed Sobkowich Jr. poses with ‘Mandalay Orange.’
	Outlining some of new Proven Winners varieties at Sobkowich Greenhouses was John Gaydos, PW’s director of product development and promotion.
	JVK also informed visitors that the plants didn’t have the easiest of summer growing seasons. However, most plants bounced back quite impressively. If they could survive the past gardening season in Ontario, they’ll have no trouble thriving in an average year.
	A sampling of the Fiber Grow coir line of environmentally friendlier pots from ITML. Coir, the outer husk of a coconut consisting of both coir dust and coir fibre, is a renewable resource. The pot will not pull moisture away from the plant. It can easily be transplanted into the ground after two months.
	Toasting another successful season! An imaginative JVK display greeted visitors to their show gardens. In keeping with the theme, the display featured ‘Petunia Tiny Tunia Cabernet’ and ‘Impatiens Envoy Wine.’ Cheers!
	Well over 500 growers, from as far away as the East Coast and the Prairies, attended this year’s JVK Grower Day in St. Catharines. There was considerable note-taking and picture-taking. JVK has been hosting Grower Days since 1988.
	Here’s a variety for gardeners with great taste – ‘Cappa Round Tricolour’ ornamental pepper.
	‘Perfection Orange’ marigold is especially weather tolerant, and an excellent variety for packs and 4" sales.
	‘Spiralis Twister’ juncos certainly is an attention-getter. It works well in mixed containers, and is both a drought-tolerant and low-maintenance performer.
	The JVK Display Gardens included many mixed containers, displaying a variety of combinations. Working well here are ‘Carex Toffee Twist,’ ‘Gazania Kiss Lemon Shades’ and ‘Geranium Ivy Minicascade Red.’
	This JVK display again highlighted the value of upscale containers. Plants are increasingly a major consideration in home decorating. Why sell a plant when you can market home decor.
	JVK president Bob Murch, with the Compact Sunpatiens display at the company’s Show Gardens. Sunpatiens was released about two years ago and has enjoyed considerable success. The new compact series features a more controlled habit and enjoys full sun and hot weather. The Sunpatiens lines offer full colour with minimal care.