Begonia Glory Pink (Beekencamp)
Begonia Doublet Rose (Dummen Group)
Begonia Glory White (Beekencamp)
Hot, Hot
Hanging Baskets
Begonia Baby Wing Pink (PanAmerican Seed)
Begonia Dragon Wing Pink (PanAmerican Seed)
Every spring the Costa Farms Research and Development team grows hundreds of hanging baskets for the Season Premier Trial Garden to evaluate the best new varieties. In 2014, we focused our trials on begonias and geraniums—two of the most popular plants with home gardeners. We’re looking for varieties that produce well and hold up well for end consumers for at least seven weeks. After all, life as a hanging basket can be tough: Plants have to hold up to wind, a small soil ball that dries out fast, and the process of moving from our farms to retail—and then, ultimately, to the consumer’s home. Here are some of the top-performing varieties in the 2014 Season Premier Trial Garden. They did more than survive Miami’s spring weather: These varieties continued to produce beautiful blooms and maintained great-looking habits.
Geranium Dixieland Red (Dummen Group)
Begonia Solenia Dark Pink (Dummen Group)
Begonia Dragon Wing Red (PanAmerican Seed)
Begonia Doublet Red (Dummen Group)
Begonia Doublet White (Dummen Group)
Begonia Solenia Light Pink (Dummen Group)
Begonia Solenia Salmon Coral (Dummen Group)
Geranium Caliente Orange (Syngenta)
Geranium Calliope Hot Pink (Syngenta)
Geranium Calliope Burgundy (Syngenta)