CAST 2023: PlantHaven International

Sweet-scented flowers

Nemesia ESCENTIAL (pictured above) lives up to its namesake with a strong vanilla-like scent in the garden. The heat- and humidity-tolerant plants provide endless color from early spring through autumn. They’re also incredibly cold tolerant and only really require cover, which saves on fuel costs, said Amanda Flint, plant project manager.

Unrooted cuttings take 4-6 weeks to finish, while liners take 6-8 weeks.

PlantHaven introduced five new colors to the line this year: Elderberry, Zazzleberry, Snowberry, Sunberry and Cherryberry.

Faster to market

PlantHaven’s new Fast-Finish Shrub Program helps growers cut their production time, saving money on inputs and labor. Unrooted cuttings are now available for several shrubs including the new abelia Suntastic Pink and Suntastic Peach or the new weigela Prism Magic Carpet. Crop time is 8-12 weeks from a URC to a rooted liner; and 14-20 weeks from a rooted liner to a 1-gallon.

The Suntastic abelias are hardy to Zone 6, both with fragrant white flowers. Each features variegated foliage - Pink offers a hot pink tone and Peach delivers a warm apricot color. Each is heat and drought tolerant once established.