California Pack Trials 2010 Focus Varieties Express Seed Company

Top Picks! Campanula Royal Dahlia Hypnotica Echinacea PowWow Wild Berry Erysimum Rysi / Poem Euphorbia Stardust White Sparkle Geranium Master Idols Pansy Plentifall Simply Salads Strawberries from ABZ SunPatiens Vegetalis Patio Edibles

Benary – Begonia New Star A new series of “multiflora” Begonias Round habit and smaller leaves make shipping easier Multiple flowers on all sides of the plant Ideal for 4” production Four colors and a mix Approx. seed price: .017 ea Timing- 128c: 6 wks., Flowering pots (sow to flower): 18-20 wks. Plug Timing: 4-6 weeks Flowering pots (for sow to flower): 18-20 weeks Seed samples are available

Dummen – Bidens Big Bidy Gonzales Large-flowered Bidens Flowers fastest Controllable habit Approx pricing: pending Timing- 1 per 4” – 6 wks 1 per 6” – 8 wks 2 per gallon – 9 wks

Calibrachoa Superbells A new Superbells series with a unique two-tone bloom: Coralberry Punch and Blackberry Punch Same disease resistance and performance as other Superbells 4-6” height, 12-18” spread Approx. pricing: .70 each, includes royalty Timing- 4-5” – 4-6 wks. 6” and gallons – 5-7 wks. 8” – 7-9 wks. 10-12” – 10-12 wks.

Campanula Royal Top Pick! Plant is covered in beautiful, star-shaped, blue flowers Bred by Tvillinge Garden in Denmark Cuttings produced by Florensis in Ethiopia Liner grow time is 7 wks 1 liner per pot, no pinching required Approx. 72c price: 1.20 delivered Timing- 4” 11-13 wks., 6” 13-15 wks. 72c Ellepot liners available for samples week 25

Syngenta – Cyclamen Winter Ice Scarlet and Sterling Scarlet Unique! A wide silvery band rims each leaf! Very suitable for growing under winter conditions Strong plants, thick flower stems Approx. seed price .15 ea Timing- 288c: 10-12 weeks, Finish in 4” (Sterling): 14-16 wks Finish in 6” (W.I): 18-20 wks. Sterling Scarlet Seeds samples of Winter Ice Scarlet will be available approx. week 38

Fides – Dahlia Hypnotica Top Pick! Fides – Dahlia Hypnotica New colors: Lavender Bleu, Red Bicolor, Dark Night, Sunset, and Rose Bicolor Great garden performer Large flowers Fast crop time Approx. price: .31 ea Timing- 1 ppp for 6”, gallon or 8”. 2 ppp for 10” toward the middle of the container. 3 ppp for 12”-14”

Syngenta – Dianthus Diabunda New series: Pink Pearl, Purple, Purple Picotee, Red, Red Picotee, Rose and Mix Raw or pelleted seed Uniform habit and timing Faster and easier to flower for early spring and winter sales barbatus-type Approx. seed price .024 ea Timing- 288c: 5-6 wks Packs: 5-7 wks. , 4”: 6-8 wks. Sample seed available now

Syngenta – Dianthus Venti Parfait Crimson Eye Huge flowers Available as pellets for easy sowing Tolerates high density benching Eye-catching color at retail – shades of pinks and purples Approx. seed price .016 ea Timing- 288c: 5-6 wks., Packs: 9-11 wks. 4”: 9-12 wks. Seeds samples are limited

Pan American – Echinacea Pow Wow Wild Berry Top Pick! Wild Berry is a 2011 AAS Winner. First-year flowering More flowers per plant Better habit than existing cultivars Approx. seed price: .057 ea Timing- 288c: 5-6 wks. Transplant to flower: 13-17 wks. Seed samples are available

Oro – Erysimum Poem / Rysi Top Pick! Great for early season Can be produced with little or no PGR’s Grow cold for best results Best for quart pots Approx. price: .22 ea Timing- 1 per 5” or quart – 20-22 wks. Poem Bicolor Poem Lavender Poem Lilac Rysi Bronze Rysi Gold

Dummen – Euphorbia Stardust White Sparkle Top Pick! Dummen – Euphorbia Stardust White Sparkle Dark foliage Increased flower power Low growing, compact Approx. pricing: pending Timing: 1 ppp 4”- 7 wks. 2 ppp 6”- 8 wks. 3 per gallon – 9 wks.

Pan Am - Fuseables First ever mixed variety single species and multi-species multi-pellets Makes sowing and growing easier More Fuseables in the works Mixes of Petunias, Grasses, Lobelias, and multi-species available Approx seed price: .17 ea – Multi-species .07 ea – Petunias and Grasses .005 ea - Lobelias

Fides – Geranium Master Idols Top Pick! Vigorous series specifically for larger containers Excellent shelf life Multiple flowers Approx. price: .24 ea Timing- 1 ppp for 6”, gallon, and 8”. 1 ppp for 10”, planted near the center of the pot. 3 to 4 ppp for 12” to 14”

Syngenta – Gerbera Autumn Colors Large, semi-double flowers capture attention at retail Perfect for 5” and larger pot production Rick mix of colors adds depth and vibrancy to seasonal retail Approx. seed price: .149 ea Timing- 128c: 7-8 wks. 5”: 11-14 wks. Seeds samples are limited

Oro – Nemesia Karoo Improvement to the Confetti line Excellent habit Great season performer Season-long flowering in combo pots or individual plant containers Two colors: Dark Blue and Violet Ice Approx. price: .1343 ea, includes royalty Timing- 4”: 7-9 wks. 10” HB: 8-10 wks.

Pan American – Pansy Plentifall Top Pick! The first trailing series with prostrate, spreading habit. Exceptional over-wintering capabilities. Grow the same as other multiflora pansies; no special cultural requirements Approx. price: .031 ea Timing- 128c: 6 wks. Transplant to finish- 4” pot: 4-5 wks. in Fall, 6-7 wks. in Spring. 10”HB: 6-8 wks. in Fall, 8-10 wks. in Spring. Currently, 3 colors and a mix. Yellow will only be available in the mix for now Seed samples are available

Ball – Petunia Black Velvet Early to flower “black” Petunia Habit is upright and mounded with tightly branched plants Adaptable to cold finishing programs – no PGR’s needed if grown cold Timing- 4” – 8-10 wks. 6-8” – 9-11 wks. 10-12” – 11-14 wks. Ball exclusive

Pan Am – Petunia Easy Wave mixes Three brand new mixes: Opposites Attract – Violet & Coral Reef Great Lakes – Violet, Blue, & White Gelato – Coral Reef, Neon Rose, & White Easy to flower under short days Approx. seed price: .075 ea Timing- 288c 4-6 wks. Transplant to flower: 5-7 wks.

Dummen – Potunia GreenPack Simplified production techniques Rapid growth with minimal inputs Marketed as a truly “green” product Direct stick into the finish container No PGR’s Timing: 7-8 weeks after stick

Dummen – Potunia Papaya Round habit Compact Very early to flower Easy to produce Approx. price: .2351 ea Timing- 4” – 6-7 wks. 10” HB – 8-9 wks.

Pan American – Simply Salad blends Top Pick! Pan American – Simply Salad blends The first ever mixes in one pellet! Matched for appearance and flavors and growing conditions. Can be cut back and regrown again and again. Approx. seed price: .068 ea Timing- Direct-sow for fastest result. 8” color bowl: 3-6 wks. Alfresco City Garden Global Gourmet Seed samples are available

Strawberries from ABZ Compact and early flowering Top Pick! Strawberries from ABZ Compact and early flowering Produces very few runners 3 flower colors available Designed specifically for bedding plant production Hanging basket types available too Approx. price .105 ea Timing- 128c: approx. 7 wks Flowers: 10-14 wks. Fruits: 13-16 wks. Loran Merlan Tristan Seeds samples are limited

Succulents from Plug Connection Featuring the Tessera collection of beautiful, eco-friendly succulents Available in mixed trays Cold-hardy as well as tropical varieties are offered Lead time: 6-20 weeks, depending on variety Tray sizes: 72 and 102, available year-round Approx. price: varies

SunPatiens Available now through Express/Oro Top Pick! SunPatiens Available now through Express/Oro Thrive in full sun & have excellent garden vigor Three season performer Root in 2 weeks versus 4 weeks Approx. price: 0.2732 ea including royalty & freight Direct Stick 8 – 10 inch pot: 10 – 12 weeks

Vegetalis – Patio Edibles Top Pick! Vegetalis – Patio Edibles New additions to the popular Patio Edibles Basil Floral Spires – two colors. Great for mixed containers. Approx seed price: .0065 ea Eggplant Pinstripe – compliments Amethyst and Ivory. Approx seed price: .061 ea

Vegetalis – Patio Edibles Top Pick! Vegetalis – Patio Edibles Pepper Pompeii – Sweet Italian pepper ripens to a rainbow of colors. Approx price: .061 ea Tomato Mega Bite – 4 to 6 oz. beefsteak-type on a compact plant Superb for small spaces. Approx price: .036 ea

Vegetalis – Patio Edibles Top Pick! Vegetalis – Patio Edibles Tomato Peardrops – Oval golden yellow fruit on a bush plant. Approx price: .036 ea Tomato Rambling Gold Stripe and Red Stripe – ‘Heirloom’ cherry tomatoes on a pendulous habit. Approx price: .036 ea

Vegetalis – Patio Edibles Top Pick! Vegetalis – Patio Edibles Tomato Tumbling Tiger – Unique fruit gives this variety a distinct ‘heirloom’ look. Dense, flat habit. Approx seed price: .036 ea Timing for Patio Edibles in a 288c – approx. 21-28 days Seed samples are limited

Oro – Verbena Vegas Plus White Broad leaves with attractive dark green foliage Very early to flower Maintains a nice full plant center; product to garden Strong powdery mildew resistance Approx. price: .1266 ea Timing- 4”: 6-7 wks. 10” HB: 7-9 wks.

Combos from Oro New for this year Selected Patio Pot combos

Combos from Oro New for this year Selected Basket combos

Combos from Dummen Variety mixes that are balanced in color, vigor, and timing Easy to root, quick to transplant Guaranteed “No Substitutions” (specifics apply) Approx. price: pending Timing- 8” – 7-9 wks. 10”HB – 8-10 wks. Piece of Cake Pismo Beach

Petunia Wave Red, White, Blue combo Fully double flower Good branching habit Medium compact growth habit Approx. price: .36 ea, excludes royalty Availability of 1,500 units for week 18-22. Next season’s avail between 15,000-20,000 per week