Floral Watercolors: discovered at CAST 2018

As a garden designer, photographer, and writer, I’m always curious to see what new plants will be revealed on the prestigious horticultural boardwalk at the California Spring Trials (CAST). This year I had the honor of being invited to attend CAST as a guest of National Garden Bureau and All-America Selections and spent an unforgettable week taking photographs of a dizzying array of new annuals, perennials, edibles, and shrubs while also learning about their unique qualities from passionate breeders.

Reviewing almost one thousand images, I was struck by what appears to be an emerging color trend. In addition to the solid, bold shades of orange, purple, and lime that have dominated the scene in recent years, I was aware of the large number of introductions with a softer yet luscious color palette of vanilla, apricot, coral, and cinnamon, often a harmonious blend of two or more of those shades in a single bloom. The result was a mouthwatering display worthy of the most elegant patio or fashion-forward front porch, the watercolor effect adding depth that a single, saturated color cannot achieve.

For the consumer these color blends make both design and color combinations a breeze – simply selecting a number of the same plants will ensure perfect pairings every time. Just plant and relax. Perfect for busy homeowners, perfect for professionals.

Here are just a few that caught my eye. 

I’m already a fan of calibrachoa for their easy-going attitude and the rainbow of available colors. Since these don’t need deadheading and bloom prolifically all season long they are also a remarkably low maintenance annual. Chameleon calibrachoa, introduced by Westhoff, goes one step further – these are the world’s only color-changing calibrachoa. As temperatures, daylength, and light intensities change, so do the colors expressed, resulting in a range of different colors displayed at all times.

Colors include a blend of pink, lavender and rose, a mix of sunshine yellow and crushed raspberry, and several in the warm terracotta family such as Chameleon Indian Summer Improved shown above.

Reminiscent of a sophisticated summer dessert of sun-kissed apricots and peaches, with a decadent swirl of rich cream added as a final flourish – that’s the closest I can come to describing the exquisite new begonia from Dummen Orange; Begonia I’conia Portofino Sunrise. How can anyone not fall instantly in love?

For those of you who have given up on tuberous begonias, fearing their blooms drop off the fragile stems as soon as the wind blows or the dog walks past – good news. This series has been bred for superior branching and holds fast to its blooms!

Who doesn’t love cosmos for their endless blooms and feathery foliage? Wonderful in the border or large containers, and making excellent cut flowers these popular annuals are easy enough for a child to grow. Colors are typically shades of pink or white – until now. British breeder Thompson & Morgan have introduced the only pale lemon variety, aptly named Lemonade.

Each daisy-type flower has a white eye at the center of the pale chiffon-lemon petals, creating a subtle color variation that is most noticeable when the abundant flowers sway in the breeze.

Perfect for bouquets, Lemonade is sure to be requested by brides, flower growers, and discerning homeowners everywhere.

With so many creative, extravagant, indoor displays to explore and photograph with trade professionals standing by, eager to tell you about their wares, anything in an outdoor setting had to be quite exceptional to even be noticed. So it was with some surprise that I found myself on my hands and knees at Syngenta looking into the diminutive faces of Viola conuta Deltini Copperfield. These viola are a mixture of shades from maroon to buttermilk yellow and I was entirely captivated by the artistic, mass planting of them beneath a weeping red leaved Japanese maple. It was such a simple idea, yet utterly charming.

An idea worth remembering and repeating.

I’m something of a petunia snob. I walk past them in the nurseries en route to find more exciting temptations such as fancy leaved New Guinea impatiens or sun-tolerant coleus. Until now. These Supercal premium petunia from Sakata may sway me. But I wouldn’t choose just one – I’d choose either all three of the colors shown above (Cinnamon, Caramel Yellow, and French Vanilla) or maybe just the latter two. Each of these has an intriguing diffused color blend that almost glows from within. Add these to your porch containers and neighbors will be convinced you hired a professional designer. (Your secret is safe with me).

What do you think? Do you prefer the saturated colors of yesterday or are you ready for a change?