"LET'S TALK" NEW ITEMS FOR 2024
Being different gives the world color." - Nelsan Ellis
Our aim at RCOP is to assist our customers in selecting the ideal plant for their specific environment. Our sales staff evaluates trial gardens and customer plantings annually, in search of plant varieties characterized by robust genetics. This endeavor is why RCOP collaborates with breeders such as Dümmen Orange, Ball ingenuity, Ball Flora Plant and Pan American Seed who strive to ensure customer success, developing plants with enhanced genetics that possess traits to resist various biotic and abiotic challenges. An example of this is the Intrinsa™ program at Dümmen Orange. This plant breeding program represents the pinnacle of innovative breeding techniques. These resilient plants are the kind we aim to feature in our product offerings. To learn more about this fascinating research, please [click here].
Here is a look at some of our favorite tough, tried and true plants we are excited to grow for 2024.
Sheri’s Picks:
I am SUPER excited about Mystic Wizard Dahlias because I am a sucker for all chocolate-colored foliage and find the vibrant magenta blooms just captivating. Mystic Dahlias always make their way to my house every year and regular deadheading is key to keep them blooming all season long. Don’t get fooled by the spent flowers – they look just like buds but if you give them a gentle squeeze, you’ll see they are actually the hollow hull of the flower.
Another plant I have high hopes for is the new Sunspot Gold Rudbeckia from Ball Ingenuity. Ever since the loss of Tiger Eye Gold, we have been in need of a compact Rudbeckia that has more flowers than you can count, and Sunspot Gold might be that plant. I will definitely be planting it at my house this year and if you use it this coming summer, we want to hear from you!
Carol’s Picks:
Coleus Premium Sun Coral Candy was a highlight in a few of my containers last year. We had brought it in as a trial and grew a handful, the color variation it had made everyone who saw it ooh and ahh with excitement. One thing I noticed about this Coleus is that it will fade a little in the full sun, but the morning sun provides the light it needs for those captivating array of colors!
The Petchoa Premium SuperCals are workhorses of a plant for any sunny location. All the colors are great additions to any design but there is a vivacious Red Maple that is being added to our product line this year, talk about a pop of color! It is not as finicky as a Petunia can be. This plant can handle an array of weather conditions and still hold strong blooming all season long!
Mindy’s picks:
Erysimum Brightside Magenta Glow – So excited about working with this kaleidoscope of color, the opportunities of what we can pair this plant with for early spring are endless. Plus, it’s cold tolerant, which is a win in my book!
Vinca Tattoo Blueberry – mesmerizing, calming, I love the color of this variety. I saw a monochromatic planting at MSU in 2022 that I would love to replicate using Blueberry Tattoo in the design.
Marigold Strawberry Blonde - Recommended as a sub for Fireball, she was not our first choice. However, when she bloomed this spring she stopped me in my tracks, her colors make me want to get to know her better.
If you try any of our favorite picks, we would love to see pictures and hear your feedback.
This article was co-authored by one of our dedicated Growers, Jimmy Guadagnoli.