At this years Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS), an evening was held called 'Revealed'.
This is where new release plants are revealed to the industry, so it is your chance to take an early peak at what is coming out soon. Some of these plants have been years in development and represent the latest in plant performance. Not all of them will end up best sellers, but they will give us something to look forward to in the coming seasons. Here are just a few of the selections:
You've heard of Magnolia Little Gem which might grow to 5 or 6 metres after 10 years. According to Leo at Coolwyn, a famous magnolia grower, Teddy Bear will be half the height at 3 metres. We have had some in the nursery for the last month and they have been walking out, which tells me gardeners want small trees. Humphris Nursery also realise this and have released a 2 very dwarf eucalypts called Mini Orange and Mini Red. They have done this by grafting the trees onto a dwarfing rootstock. Very few growers can graft eucs successfully, but Humphris have managed to perfect it and these trees have real flower power and can be as short as 2 metres. Look for Melissa King on the label.
I have always grown impatiens in a shady spot and left the vincas for the full sun. As you can see by the photo above, these impatiens are growing in full sun. They have been bred by a Japanese company called Sakata, and they are aptly named 'Sunpatiens'. This variety has been extensively trialled in Australian conditions and will thrive in the full sun. They will be available this spring, but don't expect to buy them 6 to a punnet, as they are more likely to be sold in pots for around $7 per plant.
There is a propagation nursery called Greenhills who certainly punch above their weight. You might have seen their range of Touch of Class Plants. Its a collection of mainly hardy plants of which many are sourced from Australia and New Zealand.
Greenhills grow the young plants and on sell them to wholesale nurseries who grow them to a saleable size. This year the new releases are Carex Rehuko Sunrise which looks as hardy as most carex, and Cordyline Pink Passion which I am informed will stay this vivid colour throughout it's life, which may not be true of all pink cordylines.
This grevillea is a low mounding groundcover from Austraflora, a plant sourcing company recently acquired by another quality plant propagater in Mansfields. I am right into these compact grevilleas with spectacular little flowers. The need very little water once established and a light trim after flowering will keep them tight and bushy.
Plants Management Australia had a tough little Leptospermum 'Fore Shore', which as the name suggests will tolerate coastal conditions or even pool side plantings. It will grow 50cm high and can be used as an informal or formally clipped hedge. There other new release is a Tibouchina called Groovy Baby. Don't know much about this one but suggest growing it in acidic soils or potting mix. As with most purple/blue photos, don't think the flower will be the exact colour as the picture above.
Acacia cognata 'Emerald Pearl'
The last two plants are a Kunzea baxteri nana which I am thinking comes from Esperance in Western Australia. This shrub will flower coming out of winter and possibly repeat flower in summer or autumn. It has spectacular bottle brush like flowers, and soft grey green leaves.
The Acacia cognata Emerald Pearl was presented by native wholesale nursery 'Bushland Flora'. The breeder was on hand who's name has slipped by me. He was a fascinating man who had spent years breeding Acacias including the very popular Lime Magic. There is now an abundance of the low growing cognata's, so it is great to see this taller growing one being released - and it is still quite a compact tree - forget how tall it will actually get, but it doesn't look like it will be a monster.
So there you have it - just a sneek peek of some of the new plants being released in the coming seasons. Thanks goes out to the Nursery and Garden Industy of Victoria (NGIV) for organising such an event.
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