Happy Holidays

Four months. That’s the amount of time between now and the biggest shopping frenzy of the year. From Friday, Nov. 23 to Christmas Eve, consumers will be snagging deals, standing in long lines and ready to spend their hard-earned cash on gifts, decorations and more, providing you the perfect opportunity to boost sales in the off-season. Whether it’s poinsettias for decking the halls or roses to give as a gift, we have 10 crop varieties that’ll be a sure hit for the holidays.

Titan Red
Finishing in time for early season sales, Titan Red has a good shelf life that benefits both retailers and consumers. It has a v-shaped habit and good root system, and thanks to its stem strength and vigor, it can be used in larger containers. Intensify its large, dark red bracts by finishing it cool during the last two weeks of production.

For more: Syngenta Flowers, www.syngentaflowersinc.com

Sigma
A variety that can be used for promotional sales finishing in late November, Sigma can be grown on a smaller foot print, and is best suited for high-density production in 4- to 6-inch pots. Its bract size is proportional to its vigor, and it is naturally compact.

For more: Syngenta Flowers, www.syngentaflowersinc.com

Premier Red
A poinsettia that features bright red bracts — even under low-light finish — Premier Red can be produced in as little as seven weeks. Ideal for high-density production, it is also energy-efficient and can be grown in cold temperatures. It is naturally compact and can be produced in 2.5-inch minis without pinching, and up to 6-inch pots with pinching.

For more: Ecke Ranch, www.ecke.com

Helleborus Gold Collection Jacob
Known as the Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger is a part of winter holiday traditions in many countries in Europe. The Gold Collection Jacob can be marketed toward North American customers for the holidays as well. It blooms pure white flowers in its first year and is uniformed. Featuring the tag line, “In your home for the holidays … in your garden for a lifetime!” on its marketing materials, consumers can plant Jacob in dry-shaded areas of their gardens. It is also resistant to deer.

For more: Skagit Gardens, www.skagitgardens.com

Princettia
This award-winning series comes in four shades of pink — Dark Pink, Hot Pink, Pink and Soft Pink. A euphorbia hybrid, it is naturally compact and well-branched, producing more flowers to cover the entire plant. While it is a poinsettia, Princettia can also be marketed for spring holidays and breast cancer awareness.

For more: Suntory Flowers, www.suntorycollection.com

Jubilee
Available in Pink and Red, these poinsettias have dark green leaves, horizontal bracts, medium vigor and an upright, v-shaped branching habit. Versatile for production, Jubilee can be produced in pots as small as 2.5-inch minis to as large as tree pots. It is not susceptible to late season stretch, is resistant to bract edge burn and cyathia drop, and can be grown in cold temperatures.

For more: Ecke Ranch, www.ecke.com

Neva
For a poinsettia that is versatile, Neva can be produced in everything between 4.5- to 10-inch pots. With a strong habit, sturdy stems and robust root system, growers can produce it for the mid-season.

For more: Syngenta Flowers, www.syngentaflowersinc.com

Tikal Red
With bracts that are slightly narrow for a traditional poinsettia look, Tikal Red is a good choice for larger product forms, as it can size-up without needing extra production time. Tikal Red should be produced for 6- to 6.5-inch pots and also needs pinched. With an upright, V-shaped habit and tall vigor, it finishes in eight weeks.

For more: Ecke Ranch, www.ecke.com

Miniature roses
When you put the words “roses” and “holiday” together, the first thing you probably think of is Valentine’s Day. But who’s to say that roses can’t be used for the other times of the year, especially when it comes to Christmas and the winter holidays? A typical red rose fits perfectly into the red/green Christmas color scheme. Layci Gragnani from Greenheart Farms suggests picking from the diverse offering of miniature rose programs and producing a miniature floral or garden product.

For more: Greenheart Farms, www.greenheartfarms.com

Sparkling Punch
For the grower looking for more than the typical red poinsettia, there is Sparkling Punch with its pink and white bracts and dark green foliage. Ideal for early season sales and miniature forms, it can be adapted to a wide range of container sizes, has strong branching and makes a good complement to Ice Punch.

For more: Ecke Ranch, www.ecke.com