Pretty Much PIcasso™

It's been awhile since I've gotten a chance to update the blog. There's been lots of travel, and not much of a chance to be online. I was out on the West Coast visiting other garden centers with Garden Centers of America™. I came home for the fourth, and my son Dakota broke his foot, and then I went to Ohio for the Ohio Florist Association 'Short Course.' (I'm currently at the airport waiting for the plane home.)
The Short Course is one of the few places to see the new annual varieties for next year. One of the first plants I noticed this year was this new Supertunia variety from Proven Winners™.
The variety is called Pretty Much Picasso™. It is a pinkish purple with a striking green edge. Since it is very different from most petunias on the market, I'm thinking that its going to be one of those flowers that is going to be either loved, or hated. Personally I thought it was really cool, and it will have a place in my garden next year.

New for 2009! PTILOTUS EXALTATUS-Joey™

PTILOTUS EXALTATUS-Joey!
Originally uploaded by Diana Nevermind

Ok, so I know that 2008 is not even close to being done, but I was starting to research new varieties for next year, and this one looks like a winner. Its a completely new genus for the US gardens. Ptilotus doesn't exactly roll off the tounge, so it's probably easier to refer to it by its trademarked name 'Joey' ™
A native to Australia, ptilotus loves the heat and sun. It is very drought tolerant, short growing, and will truly be an attention getter.
It is being introduced into the US by Benary