2009 New Varieties

The National Garden Bureau is dedicated to the dissemination of accurate information so that home gardeners can successfully grow flowers and vegetables from seed. The purposes of the NGB are:

To educate home gardeners in the use of flower and vegetable seed and bedding plants from seed.

To create, collect and disseminate accurate, factual information about growing these crops successfully.

To update this information by bringing to the attention of the public new developments in gardening, such as better growing methods and materials.

To make gardeners aware of the economic, esthetic, nutritional, ecological, psychological and health benefits that can be achieved by growing their own gardens from seed and bedding plants from seed.

We are excited about the 45 new flowers and 26 new vegetables for next year. Each new variety has a story; we offer only a brief description to enable you to investigate on your own to reveal the events “behind the scene” or in this case “in the greenhouse.” Gardeners and consumers are always looking for new products. Publishing these new varieties will inspire and encourage them.

FLOWERS

Achillea ‘Flowerburst Red Shades’

A. millefolium

A smashing blend of colors mostly reds, cerise, and violets with a dash of pastels for contrast. Enjoy the slight fragrance of large 8-inch blooms as cut flowers or in a sunny garden. Perennial zones 3-10. (K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.) W

Alyssum ‘Allure Mix’

A. maritimum

New series of seven unique colors and a mix, all flowering at the same time in the garden. Stays compact (3-4 inches tall) and flowers very early (20-25 days from sowing seed) in full to part sun gardens or pots. (Kieft Pro Seeds)

Bacopa F1 ‘Copa® Double Blue’

B. sutera

World’s first double flowering bacopa! Early flowering, big double flowers, thick strong growth habit, disease tolerant, and they flower through the whole summer. Full to part sun. Series of 9 colors. (GGG International) W

Begonia F1 ‘Big™ Rose with Bronze Leaf’

B. x benariensis

‘Big’ begonias are truly a big deal. Big flowers (2-3 inches), big habit (upright, arching), and big landscape performance. Bronze foliage adds vibrancy to rose-colored flowers in full sun to shade. Series of 3 colors. (Benary) W

Begonia F1 ‘Nonstop® Fire’

B. x tuberhybrida

‘Fire’ is a truly unique, vibrant ‘Nonstop’ color. Its hot shades of yellow, gold and orange 4-inch blooms result in amazing color contrast against deep green foliage. Ideal for a shady garden or pot. (Benary) W

Begonia F1 ‘Scentsation Mixed’

B. x tuberhybrida

Loads of exquisite fragrant double to semi-double 4.5-inch pastel blooms. Enjoy their delicious medley of fragrances from summer to frost. Grows 20-inches tall. Needs shade. (Thompson & Morgan Seedsmen, Inc.) R

Begonia ‘Sole Survivor’

B. hybrida

Very sun and heat tolerant. Upright habit with pendulous 1-inch blooms having a red and white bicolor appearance with green foliage. These 14-inch plants are perfect for full sun gardens and containers. (Grimes Horticulture) W

Begonia F1 ‘Volumia™ Rose Bicolor’

B. x semperflorens

New series of green leafed begonias perfect for gardens and landscapes. Full, round plants 12-15 inches tall covered with large 1-inch flowers fill your shaded garden all season long. Series of 5 colors. (Syngenta Flowers, Inc.) W

Cuphea ‘Matchmaker Scarlet’

C. ignea

This tropical delights with colorful tubular blooms of orange-scarlet with a glowing purple-and-white tip. Compact plants 6-8 inches tall hold flowers up and out. Stands up well in heat and humidity. Series of 3 colors. (Park Seed Co.) R

Cuphea F1 ‘Vienco™ Purple Red’

C. Ilavea

Stunning high impact variety. Perfect container plant for a hot summer, exhibits a decorative growth with tidy flower clumps. Sun to part sun annual 17-20 inches tall. Series of 7 powerful colors. (GGG International) W

Dianthus F1 ‘Diana Blueberry’

D. chinensis

Unique color - first blue Dianthus chinensis. Large blue 2- to 3-inch blooms have slight fragrance. Compact, upright green plants reach 8-10 inches tall in part sun. Heat, wind and rain tolerant. Series of 13 colors. (Hem Genetics) W

Geranium F1 ‘Horizon Rose Ice’

Pelargonium x hortorum

A world-class geranium. Unique bicolor flower composed of three lower petals in soft rose, and two upper petals with a rose picotee edge and an intense rose reverse. Full sun to shade. 12-inches tall. Series of 3 colors. (Floranova) W

Geranium F1‘Inspire Salmon’

Pelargonium x hortorum

Ivy geranium with outstanding garden performance in full sun to shade. Green foliaged upright plant 10-12 inches tall is heat, cold, wind and rain tolerant. Additional new ‘Inspire’ colors ‘Appleblossom,’ ‘White’ and ‘Rose.’ (Floranova) W

Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’

H. hybrida

Most colorful seed heuchera ever introduced. Foliage is highly serrated with ruffled margins. Leaf color turns reddish burgundy in high light. Small white flowers on red stems 8-12 inches tall. Perennial in zones 5-6. (Kieft Pro Seeds) W

Lavender ‘Ellagance Dark Purple’

Lavandula angustifolia

Fully first year flowering from seed if started in early spring. Blooms continuously throughout the season. Very fragrant flowers and foliage on compact upright plants 15-18 inches tall. Full sun. Perennial in zones 5-6. (Kieft Pro Seeds) W

Marigold F1 ‘Discovery™ Yellow’

Tagetes erecta

Dwarf African marigold with very large 3-inch flowers that bloom 45 days from sowing. Excellent choice for providing sunny borders or containers summer long color. Compact plant 6-8 inches tall. (Bodger Seeds, Ltd.) W

Morning Glory ‘Flying Saucers Mix’

Ipomoea tricolor

A terrific mix of blue, white, and a bicolor patterned with stripes or stars. The 120- to 180-inch vines, which require a trellis, support large blooms with heart-shaped foliage. Grow in part sun. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R

Ornamental Eggplant ‘Pumpkin On A Stick’ Solanum integrifolium

Intriguing clusters of 1-inch orange “pumpkins” are born on 3-foot tall plants. Unique in the garden and floral arrangements. Also called Red China eggplant, the bitter fruits can be used in Asian cooking. (Botanical Interests) R

Ornamental Pepper ‘Purple Flash’

Capsicum annuum

Gleaming purple marble-sized fruit peeks among near-black foliage streaked with bright purple and white. With its neatly layered 13- to 15-inch habit and superior drought resistance, it always looks fresh in a sunny pot or bed. (Park Seed Co.) R

Ornamental Purslane ‘Toucan Hot Mix’

Portulaca oleracea

This mix of bright fuchsia, scarlet and yellow 1-inch flowers abound on plants 3-4 inches tall that spread 14-16 inches. Grow in full sun containers, hanging baskets, as a festive groundcover or mass planting. (PanAmerican Seed) W

Osteospermum F1 ‘Asti™ Purple’

O. ecklonis (no picture)

The fun, 2-inch daisy-like flowers will create loads of color during the spring and fall seasons. ‘Asti’ can handle drought, as well as light frost. Annual 17-20 inches tall for sunny pots and gardens. Series of 3 colors. (Goldsmith Seeds) W

Pentas F1 ‘Starla™ Red’

P. lanceolata

Big, bold 3-inch flowers are held nicely atop 14- to 18-inch tall foliage. This heat-lover is perfect for mixed containers or sunny plantings. Continues to bloom even in very hot conditions. Series of 6 colors. (Goldsmith Seeds) W

Petunia F1 ‘Easy Wave™ Pink Marble Mix’

P. x hybrida

Great in every sunny spot, this fast growing plant blooms all season through heat and cool and bounces back from rain quickly. Large 2-inch blooms on spreading plants 6-12 inches tall. Series of 14 colors. (PanAmerican Seed) W

Petunia F1 ‘Limbo™ Red Veined’

P. grandiflora

‘Limbo’ is the world’s only natural dwarf petunia. Extra compact, full sun annual grows 6-8 inches tall and spreads 8-inches. The large 3- to 5-inch red-veined blooms bounce back in wind and rain. Series of 12 colors. (Hem Genetics) W

Petunia F1 ‘Plush™ Rose’

P. pendula

Trailing habit and multitudes of brightly colored 2-inch flowers offer constant color from early spring to summer’s end. Looks great in containers and fills sunny garden beds end to end. Series of 10 colors. (Syngenta Flowers, Inc.) W

Petunia F1 ‘Symphony Deep Salmon’

P. x hybrida

Excellent compact habit, strong stems, large flower count, and fast recovery from rains. Produces masses of 2-inch flowers for brilliant color in pots and garden. Full sun annual 10-12 inches tall. Series of 20 colors. (American Takii, Inc.)W

Poppy ‘Jelly Beans’

Eschscholzia californica

A mouthwatering mix of double flowered California poppies, with huge 2- to 2.5-inch flowers in orange, salmon, rose and gold. Heat and cold tolerant 10-inch tall poppy perfect for full sun spring or fall garden color. (K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.) W

Poppy ‘Lauren’s Grape’

Papaver somniferum

Unique poppy developed for its intriguing color and superb beauty. Seductive 2-inch dark purple-violet blooms on 2- to 3-foot tall plants are stunning in the garden. Attractive dried seed pods for flower arrangements. (Botanical Interests) R

Ptilotus F1 ‘Joey™’

P. exaltatus

Exceptional beauty with heat and drought tolerance. Large 3-to 4-inch conical spikes of feathery bottlebrush flowers top thick foliage 12-15 inches tall. Spikes are glistening silver with neon pink near the tips. Needs full sun. (Benary) W

Rudbeckia ‘Cherry Brandy’

R. x hirta

World’s first red-flowered rudbeckia from seed. Robust, 24-inch tall bushy plants create a dramatic impact in borders, large containers, or as cut flowers with single rich cherry-red blooms. (Thompson & Morgan Seedsmen, Inc.) R

Rudbeckia ‘Radiance’

R. hirta

Compact, 18-inch upright plants display ball-shaped, fully double 4-inch flowers with distinctive, needle-shaped petals for a brilliant, truly radiant look. Durable, strong-stemmed performer for sunny beds and pots. (Ball Horticultural Co.) W

Rudbeckia F1 ‘TigerEye ™ Gold’

R. hirta

The first F1 hybrid rudbeckia, which means it has never-before-seen strength and longevity in the garden. Absolutely covered with 3-inch flowers all summer. Heat-loving beauty perfect for big beds and containers. (Goldsmith Seeds) W

Salvia ‘Amore™ White Surprise’

S. splendens

A new surprising color of white with a red centered lip. This compact, upright annual is early to flower – just 60 days from sowing. Grows 8-10 inches tall in full to part sun. Heat, wind and rain tolerant. Series of 10 colors. (Hem Genetics) W

Salvia ‘Fizz Raspberry’

S. splendens

Early flowering, heavily branched and genetically dwarf. The dense placement of flowers on the spike gives more color show and excellent lasting ability. Full sun annual 8-12 inches tall. Series of 5 colors. (American Takii, Inc.) W

Snapdragon F1 ‘Arrow™ Yellow’

Antirrhinum majus

Strong stems stand up to wind and rain, and the vivid colors stand out in the garden, containers, or mass plantings. Sun loving upright plants reach 20-24 inches tall. Offers slight fragrance. New series of 4 colors. (Syngenta Flowers, Inc.) W

Snapdragon F1 ‘Palette Orange & White’ Antirrhinum majus Outstanding cold tolerance makes this an extreme garden performer in early spring and late fall. Takes frosts and occasional freezes. Full sun annual just 8-12 inches tall. Series of 14 colors. (American Takii, Inc.)

Sunflower ‘Garden Statement’

Helianthus annuus The first lemon yellow sunflower with super duplex flowers having 3 layers of petals. Branched stems on the upper third of the 3-foot tall plants prolong flowering and performance. Heat tolerant full sun annual. (K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.) W

Sunflower F1 ‘Zohar’

Helianthus annuus Single stem, pollenless sunflower of superior quality. Petals are rays of rich orange surrounding a dark center for 4- to 6-inch diameter. Stem height is 4-5 feet. Nice uniform foliage. Can be picked in 50-55 days. (Genesis Seeds) W

Verbena F1 ‘Velox™ Soft Pink’

Verbena and Phlox interspecific cross An absolute world novelty. Continuous flowering abundance, trailing growth habit, and very mildew tolerant. Roots easy like verbenas but flowers longer in heat like phlox. Sunny annual 6 inches tall. (GGG International) W

Vinca F1 ‘HotliK™ Purple Eye’

Catharanthus roseus

Annual vinca with hybrid vigor for faster growing plants with larger flowers, improved cold and disease tolerance. Grow the 10-inch plants in a full sun garden or container. Purple 2-inch blooms. Series of 9 colors. (Grimes Horticulture) W

Vinca F1 ‘Viper Orchid Halo’

Catharanthus roseus Vigorous, robust plants are the ultimate garden performers. ‘Viper’ grows into a large 18-inch mounded plant covered in massive 2.5-inch flowers with overlapping petals. Grow in full to part sun. Series of 8 colors. (Floranova) W

Viola F1 ‘Aero™ Marina’

V. cornuta Bred to have bright, well-formed flowers on compact plants. Perfect for cool spring or fall plantings where it will grace any garden with hundreds of flowers. Plants are 6-8 inches tall. Series of 10 colors. (Bodger Seeds, Ltd.) W

Viola F1 ‘Rain Blue and Purple’

V. cornuta

Pretty 1.25-inch blooms that naturally change from purple & white to purple & blue. Mounded cold and heat tolerant plants spread 10-14 inches producing colorful groundcovers or creating a big impact in containers. (PanAmerican Seed) W

Zinnia F1 ‘Distance™ Cherry’

Z. hybrida An excellent choice for summer plantings, especially where summers are long and hot. Enjoy these beautiful 2-to 3-inch hot pink flowers all summer long in sunny beds, borders, or patio pots. Series of 7 colors. (Bodger Seeds, Ltd.) W

Zinnia ‘Zahara® Mix’

Z. marylandica Super tough zinnia puts on carefree, all season shows with lots of bright color. Sun loving heat and disease tolerant annual 12-18 inches tall has colorful 2-inch blooms. Great performance in water restricted areas. (PanAmerican Seed) W

Basil ‘Boxwood’

Ocimum basilicum Compact, small-leafed herbs look like boxwoods and are more uniform than other dwarf basils. Very bushy, and very productive. Great for pesto and other culinary uses, as well as ornamental. 12-16 inches tall. (Ball Horticultural Co.) W

Beet ‘Chioggia Guardsmark®’

Beta vulgaris Unique interior root colors of red and white rings with attractive short, medium green tops. The novel interior color and sweetness with a peppery aftertaste is most appealing. Harvest in 60 days. (Alf Christianson Seed Co.) W

Beet F1 ‘Solo™’

Beta vulgaris Requires less thinning. The roots early maturing, superior uniformity and top yields are combined with erect, deep green and highly disease resistant tops. Harvest sweet, dark red round roots in 50 days. (Alf Christianson Seed Co.) W

Broccoli F1 ‘Belstar’

Brassica oleracea Newly re-introduced as certified organic seed! Summer, fall and spring broccoli produces good side shoots for second cuttings. Large 6- to 8-inch domed blue-green heads. Harvest 66 days from transplant. (Bejo Seeds, Inc.) W.

Cauliflower F1 ‘Graffiti’

Brassica oleracea

Unique color and high nutrient value. The large framed deep purple 6- to 8-inch dome shaped heads need sunlight to obtain full purple color. Eat raw or steamed to retain full color. Harvest in 85 days. (Syngenta Seeds, Inc. – Rogers) W

Eggplant F1 ‘Gretel’

Solanum melongena

Earliest white eggplant. Fruit is set in clusters. Petite plants 3 feet tall add an attractive edible to a large container or flowerbed. Harvest when small, about 3-4 inches in length 55 days from transplant. (Seminis Vegetable Seeds) W

Melon F1 ‘Atlantis’

Cucumis melo New eastern melon with a round oval shape. Vigorous plant produces 6- to 8-pound fruit with excellent flavor and aroma. Excellent interior qualities include firmness and high sugar content. Harvest in 70-85 days. (Sakata Seed America, Inc.) W

Melon F1 ‘Sancho’

Cucumis melo

This specialty melon is for gardeners looking for something beyond the basics. The 6- to 9-pound melons feature golden green skin and creamy white flesh. Harvest in 90 days when rind is a golden color. (Syngenta Seeds, Inc. – Rogers) W

Melon F1 ‘Lambkin’

Cucumis melo Delicious oval shaped melon weighs between 2 and 4 pounds. A thin rind surrounds sweet, aromatic, white, juicy flesh. The yellow skin with green mottling is unique. Early maturing at 65 to 75 days. (Known-You Seed Co. Ltd.) W

Mustard Greens ‘Ruby Streaks’

Brassica juncea Beautiful red leaves. Delicious with sweet yet mildly pungent flavor. Wonderful for eating fresh in salads, steamed or stir-fried. Great for baby greens. Ideal edible ornamental for pots and gardens. Harvest 20-40 days. (Botanical Interests) R

Ornamental Corn ‘Oaxacan Green’

Zea mays This dent corn with beautiful emerald green kernels is terrific for ornamental use or ground as corn meal. The ears range in size from 6-10 inches. Corn grows on sturdy, 7-foot plants. Harvest in 95 days. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R

Pepper F1 ‘Habanero Red’

Capsicum spp.

This is a very hot habanero. At 445,000 Scoville heat units, it is nearly twice as hot as most commercial habaneros. It has a compact 30-inch plant with 1x2-inch wrinkled lime-green to red fruits. Harvest in 90 days. (Seeds by Design) W

Pepper F1 ‘Jalafuego’

Capsicum annuum

Vigorous plant with excellent yields of extra large, smooth, and very dark green fruit. This very hot jalapeño is extra long. Disease tolerance to bacterial spot and potato virus Y. Harvest in 65-72 days. (Sakata Seed America, Inc.) W

Pumpkin F1 ‘Dakota’

Cucurbita maxima

High yielding small sugar pie type. The fruit is very uniform in size with a dark orange color and a smooth rind. It has a solid dark green handle. Harvest 7- to 8-pound fruit in 95 days. Vines spread 12 feet. (Sakata Seed America, Inc.) W

Pumpkin F1 ‘Gooligan’

Cucurbita pepo

Miniature 2x3-inch white fruits 1/4- to 1-pound in size are most appealing as a fall decoration, and are tasty baked or roasted. Vigorous vines set high numbers of the unique fruit. Harvest in 95 days. (Seeds By Design) W

Spinach F1 ‘El Grinta’

Spinacia oleracea

Slow bolting spinach with good yield, dark green color, and a thick leaf. Best for baby or juvenile spinach. Harvest in 25 days warm and 39 days cool. High resistance to race 10 Downey mildew. (Syngenta Seeds, Inc. – Rogers) W

Squash, Summer F1 ‘Anton’

Curcurbita pepo

Yields are higher and shelf life longer than other zucchinis. Extremely dark, intense colored 7- to 9-inch fruits. Fruits are perfectly cylindrical. Powdery mildew resistant plants are compact, open, and nearly spineless. (Genesis Seeds) W

Squash, Summer F1 ‘Midnight’

Cucurbita pepo

Very compact, bushy plants ideal for growing in containers. Stems and leaves are spine free allowing easy harvesting of the delicious dark green, cylindrical summer squash. 75 days to first harvest. (Thompson & Morgan Seedsmen, Inc.) R

Squash, Winter F1 ‘Honey Bear’

Cucurbita pepo

Personal sized, sweet acorn squash weighing 1 pound or less bred to be baked and served in the half shell. Bushy, compact plant 2-3 feet tall produces 3-5 dark green fruit. Harvest in about 100 days. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R

Tomato ‘Basket Boy Yellow’

Lycopersicon esculentum

Yellow cherry size tomatoes for container gardens including hanging baskets. Harvest sweet 2-inch, 3-ounce, yellow tomatoes in 65 days. Disease Tolerances to Verticillium Wilt (V1) and Fusarium Wilt F1 and F2. (Grimes Horticulture) W

Tomato F1 ‘First Light’

Lycopersicon esculentum

One of the best tasting tomatoes. Harvest in about 76 days, when the bottom 1/3 to 2/3 has turned red but still has green shoulders. Excellent flavored 5- to 7-ounce fruits have crisp texture, and are good yielding. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R

Tomato F1 ‘Lola’

Lycopersicon esculentum

Indeterminate tomato 6-12 feet tall requires staking. Fruits are red, flat globe shape, firm, uniform, extra large 7-8.5 ounces. Disease tolerance to Fusarium 1,2, Verticillium, and Tabacco Mosaic virus. Harvest in 80 days. (Genesis Seeds) W

Tomato F1 ‘Sweet Mojo’

Lycopersicon esculentum

Exceptionally early maturing fruit set from top to bottom. The outstanding yield potential has each long cluster averaging 21 uniform, red, firm, and sweet grape shaped fruits. Staking required. Harvest in 60 days. (Alf Christianson Seed Co.) W

Tomato F1 ‘Tomatoberry’

Lycopersicon esculentum

Unique strawberry-shaped fruits have a firm texture, super-sweet taste and aroma. Each one-bite fruit is shiny deep red. Harvest delicious 1-inch tomatoes in 80 days. Staking required. High yielding. (Ball Horticulture Co.) W

Watermelon F1 ‘Baby Doll’

Citrullus lanatus ‘Baby Doll’ is a tasty yellow-fleshed diploid hybrid melon. The round 6- to 10-pound fruits are a perfect size for the icebox. The rind is green with small dark stripes. Harvest in 70 days. (Seeds by Design) W

Watermelon ‘Yellow Crunch’

Citrullus lanatus

Ultra-sweet, crisp, and very juicy, the lemon flesh of these 10- to 20-pound melons is so refreshing on a hot summer’s day! The striped melons are easy to grow and dependably delicious. Harvest 82 days from sowing. (Park Seed Co.) R