Variety Notebook

Achillea ‘Pomegranate’
Achillea ‘Pomegranate’ is part of the Tutti Frutti series from Blooms of Bressingham. It is from American Takii/Sahin breeding. Plants have a compact, sturdy and full habit and produce velvety red flowers. It forms dense masses 29 inches tall by 26 inches wide.

All of the varieties in the series have excellent flowering uniformity and boast a long blooming period from mid-June through July. Their foliage is reliably robust and disease-resistant, even in high temperatures. Their mounding habit makes them ideal for containers and in the landscape, with their flowers valued as cuts, fresh or dried.

Deadheading enhances this variety’s  appearance and encourages rebloom. It’s hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8 and in AHS Heat Zones 9 to 1.

For more:  Blooms of Bressingham, (800) 321-9573; http://bloomsofbressinghamplants.com.


Guzmania conifera ‘Humpty Dumpty’
Guzmania conifera ‘Humpty Dumpty’ from Oglesby Plants International is a hybrid in a new form with a flame color of red with yellow tips. The inflorescence remains clean throughout the long flowering period, which really sets this variety apart.

It is recommended for 6- to 8-inch containers. Plants grow best under lower greenhouse light levels of approximately 1,000-2,000 footcandles.

For more: Oglesby Plants International, (850) 762-3296; www.oglesbytc.com.

Zantedeschia ‘Night Cap’
Zantedeschia ‘Night Cap’ from Golden State Bulb Growers is part of its Callafornia Calla series. This easy-to-grow, floriferous calla lily has moderate to strong stems and produces narrow purple flowers that gracefully age to wine red. It has non-maculated leaves and is well suited for small- to medium-size pots, in the landscape and cut flower use.

For more: Golden State Bulb Growers, (831) 728-0500;
www.goldenstatebulbgrowers.com.