Fleuroselect announces three Gold Medal winners for 2017

Fleuroselect, the international organisation for the ornamental plants industry, proudly announces three new Gold Medal winners that will be available to the grower as of 2016 and in retail as of 2017.

The Fleuroselect Gold Medal is awarded to new varieties that have been tested by Fleuroselect's expert and independent judges at trial grounds across Europe and proven to clearly supersede existing varieties in terms of breeding innovation and beauty.

Begonia semperflorens SenatoriQ Rose Bicolour - Sakata

The Senator series centers around bronze-leaved Begonias with an excellent performance throughout the entire production and trade chain. The young plant raiser benefits from high germination and uniform development. For the grower, early flowering across the series and the non-stretching plant habit allows easy production in a wide range of pack and pot sizes. The improved shelf life, deep bronze foliage and contrasting flowers are a plus for the retailer. From spring to autumn, the consumer enjoys a continuous display of bicolour flowers on the terrace or in the garden.

Lupinus polyphyllus Mini Gallery Blue - HM.CLAUSE

Mini Gallery Blue is the latest addition to HM.CLAUSE's famous Lupine series. Its spikes grow in a true deep blue color that hold well above the deep green foliage. The shorter production cycle does not require the use of PGRs. Thanks to Mini Gallery Blue's natural branching habit, less seeds are needed to fill a pot. The compact plants are easy to transport and allow production in smaller pots, which can be sold at lower prices.

Penstemon barbatus Twizzle - Van Hemert & Co.

This first-year flowering perennial from Van Hemert & Co has taller flower stems than the existing varieties on the market while preserving the natural elegance of wild Penstemon. The half-high flower spikes (approx. 70-80 cm) present small flowers in vivid scarlet. Growers will see the benefits of this seed grown variety which can be marketed as a premium plant in large pots (12-18 cm). Twizzle offers a wide sales window: it can be sown in spring for the summer season but also in autumn for a spring crop. Attracting bees and hummingbirds, this perennial brings back wildlife to the garden.