Proven Winners adds Hollywood Hibiscus to ColorChoice, launches new ART & SOL Mangave collection with Walters Gardens

Proven Winners is adding J. Berry's renowned Hollywood Hibiscus to its catalog of ColorChoice flowering shrubs and partnering with Walters Gardens on a new mangave program, the ART & SOL Mangave collection.

Hollywood Hibiscus

The strategic partnership between Spring Meadow Nursery — which grows more than 300 varieties of ornamental shrubs marketed under the Proven Winners ColorChoice brand — and J. Berry marks a significant expansion in the company's array of flowering shrubs. It also ensures seamless access to Hollywood Hibiscus varieties through Spring Meadow Nursery's growers and the existing network of Hollywood Hibiscus licensed growers.

"Welcoming J. Berry's Hollywood Hibiscus to the Proven Winners ColorChoice family is the perfect way to begin the new year," says Spring Meadow General Manager Jeremy Deppe. "Both Spring Meadow and J. Berry are family-owned nurseries that aren’t afraid to invest heavily in new genetics. We both recognize the value that superior plants bring to the industry, so this partnership is a natural fit."

Hollywood Hibiscus’ star was launched from Jim Berry’s Hibiscus rosa-sinensis breeding program, which sought to improve upon the single-day blooms, lack of flower power, susceptibility to foliar diseases and white flies that plagued conventional tropical hibiscus. What he developed was a series of tropical hibiscus with improved foliage, habits, pest and disease resistance, and vibrant, eye-catching flowers that last up to three days.

Hollywood Hibiscus thrives deep into southern regions, expanding the footprint of the premium plant brand, and are bred to withstand the high intensity heat and sunlight of the south, but will also thrive in patio containers in colder climates.

"We are thrilled to offer Hollywood Hibiscus as part of the Proven Winners ColorChoice brand,” says Jonathan Berry. “We have a long history of partnering with Spring Meadow, so we already know that we share similar values, including the most essential belief that the best genetics always win.”

Proven Winners ColorChoice Hollywood Hibiscus will continue to be grown at J. Berry facilities in Texas. Retailers with J. Berry Hollywood Hibiscus currently in stock will continue to sell through current inventory, and new liners of Proven Winners ColorChoice Hollywood Hibiscus will transition to the classic white Proven Winners containers.

“We’re looking forward to 2025,” says Spring Meadow Marketing Manager Stacey Hirvela, “when every beautiful variety of Hollywood Hibiscus will be showcased in the distinctive white Proven Winners ColorChoice container and outfitted with the eye-catching diamond hang-tag.”

ART & SOL Mangave

Proven Winners is also partnering with Walters Gardens on a new mangave program, the ART & SOL Mangave collection, which is launching at MANTS.

Walters Gardens is bringing six of its top mangave varieties into the Proven Winners brand in 2024 under the ART & SOL Collection name, with more introductions expected soon from the ongoing breeding program for Walters Gardens, the perennial licensee for Proven Winners.

The large succulent-esque hybrids retain the excellent heat and drought tolerance of their agave background, while adding fast-growing, tropical attributes from their manfreda parentage. They can be grown solitary, in the landscape or in mixed or mono decorative containers. Their tolerance of a wide variety of moisture conditions allows them to be mixed with succulents, annuals and tropicals. Mangave are perennial in southern zones, with the option of being grown as annuals in northern zones or overwintered as houseplants.

These manfreda x agave hybrids are the result of an extensive breeding effort at Walters Gardens. The top varieties from the program have been moved into the Proven Winners brand, where they will be sold under the ART & SOL Collection.

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Proven Winners recognized the exceptional and diverse qualities of mangave and saw them as a valuable addition to the brand. Also, understanding the ongoing issue of water scarcity, Proven Winners recognizes the necessity of adding drought-tolerant plants to the brand. Mangave requires less water than many other genera and offers solutions aligned with sustainable garden practices, such as water conservation.

Proven Winners containers are required for all ART & SOL Mangave, and the premium 3-by-6-inch hanging label is also required for all ART & SOL varieties. Hanging labels come with an accompanying 10-inch riser.

ART & SOL varieties will be offered from Walters Gardens as wholesale liners. They will continue to be sold through Walters Gardens' existing sales channels, both directly and through broker companies. A limited quantity of plants will be available in spring f 2024, with a wide release to consumer audiences planned for 2025.

The six varieties include:

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‘Bad Hair Day’: Narrow, flat, lime green leaves that form an arching habit. Each leaf blade has light blush red spotting with a distinct blush toward the tips of the leaves. This is very easy to handle due to its soft, flexible leaves. Height: 8-10” Spread: 18-20” Zones: 7b-11 Exposure: Full Sun.

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‘Catch a Wave’: Very thick, silvery blue-green leaves are generously covered with restrained dark spotting. The margins curl upward to show off its marginal teeth. Its upright habit makes it look equally cool from a side view as it does from the top. Height: 8-10” Spread: 18-20” Zones: 9-11 Exposure: Full Sun.

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‘Lavender Lady’: Smoky purple leaves are broad with tiny white spines. ‘Lavender Lady’ has a well-rounded, geometric form capable of thrilling in a decorative or mixed container, or standing alone as a landscape specimen. Height: 8-10” Spread: 12-16” Zones: 8-10 Exposure: Full Sun.

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‘Night Owl’: The dark color of ‘Night Owl’ comes from its heavy dark spotting. The wide leaves gently undulate to show off its marginal spines. Plant in full sun for best color. Height: 6-8” Spread: 16-18”   Zones: 9-11 Exposure: Full Sun.

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‘Thunderbird’: This smaller-sized succulent has thick, flat leaves that are almost completely covered with dark red spots for eye-catching appeal. The leaves form an upright, refined rosette. Height: 8-12” Spread: 10-12” Zones: 9-11 Exposure: Full Sun.

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‘Tooth Fairy’: The long and pronounced spines are presented in a rainbow of colors, ranging from cinnamon brown to yellow to orange. Blue green leaves show off the array of colors even more, with faint spotting giving the thick leaves some character. Height: 8-12” Spread: 10-12” Zones: 9-11 Exposure: Full Sun.