Teagasc Nursery Stock Advisor, Dónall Flanagan reports in from the Netherlands and Germany on the latest new plant introductions and trend
The Flower Trials strapline is ‘The place where plants meet people’. It’s a chance for growers and buyers to see the latest offerings from seed and young plant growers. Organisers Fleuroselect commented that 2019 was the best year to date for Irish visitor numbers. Many buyers from multiples traveled with growers to select new product lines and plan production for 2020.
The Flowers Trials are an annual open-house for the biggest breeders of bedding and pot plants in Europe. New products are launched, marketing ideas promoted, and new plants take centre stage. The event is globally important attracting large numbers of visitors from outside Europe. Twenty-five sites in the Dutch regions of Aalsmeer and Westland and six in the German area of Rhineland host sixty-two businesses. It’s easy to visit at least a dozen business in one day. Sales reps for Ireland can walk growers through the ranges and displays of mature plants, what the final customer will see. As with any trade show, it’s a great time to network and to make new contacts. Production facilities generally aren’t open to the public, but their production managers are usually around to give advice and making acquaintances with them is very useful.
The real focus for everyone is the new plant ranges. It could be easy to dismiss a lot of new plants as yet another variation in colour or height; the range of Begonias, Petunias and Geraniums is bewildering. But there are reasons for looking for new – better disease resistance, faster production, more flower power. US plant journalist Alan Armitage recently wrote: “Every plant should help to solve a problem, as well as be lovely to look at”. New products do tend to come with marketing strategies. For example, Petunia Amore from florensis has heart-shaped patterns on its petals, is well supported with promotional material and marketing ideas. This and the use of new labels get attention and increase sales. The customer has a good feeling they are getting something exclusive.
Meeting breeders to learn about established and new lines can give a useful insight into a plant. Teagasc has a link with the breeding houses by taking part in the Fleuroselect plant trials. A large range of seed raised varieties of annuals are grown for demonstration purposes; Tagetes in 2018 and Tropaeolum in 2019. The breeders are proud of their creations and happy to share some background information, from gathering wild genetics in Australia or walking breeding fields and selecting crosses in India. Sally van der Horst coordinator of the trials has an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the plants and gives life to each of the new varieties.
Marketing of the new plants is a slick business. The displays used for plants are every bit as good as any high-end retailer and shows there is scope for high impact displays in garden centres or other retailers. Renowned plant retail expert John Stanley has been promoting this level display for a long time. Irish garden centres adopting it have seen great success. It requires good planning and commitment to the garden centre and the plant producers. Use of coloured printed pots can add a cent or so to the production cost, add to that a quality label and a wrap for your trolley the plants will stand out as a premium product deserving of a higher price point. Demonstrations of plant use were organised during the event for the likes of preparing container displays. Social media influencers were busy sending images of the best new ideas and colour combinations.
A key Irish connection at the trials is between Goldcrop the Irish agents for Florensis and P vd Haak Pelargonium. Colm Clarke, Maureen Bollard and the rest of the team were kept busy with growers and buyers from Ireland discussing the new ranges. Colm suggested there are benefits for growers to differentiate and try new approaches – simple promotional material, bigger sizes, branded pots all have an impact and limit growers all competing for the same simple product – a well-grown annual or perennial. Busy or inexperienced growers can rely on ‘Plant Retail Sales Planners’, which will set out production guides for colour sales in every month. It can be a good place to start with ordering but doesn’t give a tailored solution to fit your customers’ needs or something that sets your product line out from the competition.
Homeowners with no experience want to have success and customers demand finished bedding and perennial plants have resulted in reduced seed sales to the hobby sector. The result is less choice available. The demand for and shorter plants to fit more shelves on trollies has meant the likes of Nasturtium and African marigolds are being sidelined in garden and garden centre use. Digitalis ‘Pink Panther’ is a fine new introduction growing to about 40 cm, but is far from the usual Foxglove known by the public. With plant retail sales planners it can be too easy to plan a crop without leaving the nursery. Seeing the new products does bring it to life and make planning better promotions and improved customer offers much easier. The Flower Trials offer new and established growers so many opportunities to develop their range that it should be a must-see for all.
KEY NEW PLANTS:1. Xerochrysum Granvia® Gold from MNP is striking with bright yellow flowers held above dark green foliage. It looks like an excellent pot or patio plant with good impact. 2. Begonia viking from Sakata has red flowers on attractive brown-green foliage. It’s described as an all-weather performer. It looks great in pots and patio planters. 3. Begonia fiona double flowers bred by Takii seed is a semi-double flowered Semperflorens variety. It’s described as self-cleaning and early flowering. Suitable for 9cm pot production. 4. Hydrangea ‘French Bolero’ is a striking soft pink, compact hydrangea, described as having a long flowering season and high flower count. It flowers along its stems similar to ‘Runaway Bride’. Marketed by Horteve/Kolster it will be available in good numbers late 2020. 5. Rudbekia ‘Summerdaisy’ series from Volmary some new excellent colours on sturdy dark green foliage. 6. Salvia hybrid ‘Mysty large blossom’, strong colour flower and foliage, compact production size for more plants m2. Florensis is marketing Salvia ‘Mysty’. 7. Impatiens Beacon and Impatiens Imara are two mildew resistant varieties launched this year. So far, they have shown good resistance and have been well received. Beacon is marketed by PanAmerica seeds and Florensis. Imara is available from Syngenta. ✽ |
 Dónall Flanagan is based with the Horticulture Development Department in Ashtown, serving the nursery stock and ornamental sector. He has been working with Teagasc since 2007 and in his current role since 2016.
Dónall Flanagan – Teagasc, Ashtown Food Research Centre Mobile: 087 703 5823; Tel: 076 111 402; Email: donall.flanagan@teagasc.ie |
