It's time to plan those container gardens! February is the perfect month to decide what you want to grow, especially if you're planning multiple container gardens or a single show-stopping arrangement. Garden centers across Manitoba are already bustling with activity, offering pre-rooted seedlings for perennials and annuals, as well as seed starting for spring sales. But it wasn't always this way. Retailers used to wait until September to place their plant orders for spring, but now, due to high demand for new and unique plants, many retailers are placing orders as early as July to meet peak spring demand. This surge in demand can make impulse shopping hard to resist, but taking the time to reflect on last year's garden successes and failures, especially during hot and dry weather, will help you make the best choices this year. Duayne Friesen, a sales representative for Ball Seed and a leading wholesale horticultural distributor in North America, offers firsthand knowledge about the top new annual plants available at garden centers this spring. He assists commercial growers with plant sourcing and trials many new introductions in his Winnipeg garden. Friesen shared insights about some exciting new varieties that will inspire your garden plans.
New Pansy Varieties
Friesen highlights the new Top Wave Pansy Series from PanAmerican Seed, which will gradually replace the Cool Wave Pansy. Top Wave Pansies boast 25% larger flowers than their predecessor and have been bred to produce flowers that extend down to the plant's crown. The series offers several colors, such as the Pansy Top Wave Pink Shades, which range from light to deep pink with a dark center blotch. Top Wave is an ideal choice for containers and baskets, although Friesen notes that they are not well-suited for landscape use. He successfully grew them outdoors in containers as early as April 1, and once acclimatized, they can stay outside and continue flowering.
Coleus Sweet Paprika
Coleus Sweet Paprika, part of the Premium Sun Coleus Collection from PanAmerican Seed, is a standout variety. With deep red-wine leaves hinting at orange, this compact plant (about 46 cm tall) thrives in the sun. Friesen mentions that it excelled in plant trials and has been snapped up by growers. It's a beauty that deserves a spot in your garden.
Dahlia Venti Series
Dahlias continue to gain popularity, but not everyone wants to start their own dahlias from tubers. The Dahlia Venti PinkBurst and Dahlia Venti FireBurst are early-flowering dahlias ready for spring containers. These varieties, part of the Venti series from Selecta, are double-flowered anemone-type dahlias with showy centers. PinkBurst, a Retailer's Choice award winner at Cultivate '25 in the U.S. and a FleuroStar-winning variety in Europe, features pink petals. FireBurst, with bright-red petals and a dominant yellow crest in the center, is equally impressive. Both varieties are easy-care and powdery mildew-resistant, growing to a height of about 46 cm.
Angelonia
Angelonia, a plant that has been around for 20 years, is gaining recognition for its ability to withstand hot and dry conditions. Friesen explains that Angelonia needs little care and can tolerate a day or two without water. The Guardian Angel range, including Guardian Angel Pink, is the newest and tallest series. Guardian Angel Pink boasts huge flowers with glossy dark-green leaves on 46-cm-tall stems, making it an excellent centerpiece for planters.
Petunia Varieties
Several new petunia varieties will be available this year. The Easy Wave Pink Pearl from PanAmerican Seed features soft pink flowers with violet-rose veining, larger flowers, and fast growth. Friesen notes the high demand for the new Headliner Crystal Pink, which has a mounded, trailing habit and loads of flowers that held up well in trials. It was the top-selling new introduction.
Salvias and Zinnias
The new Mystical Salvia series offers intriguingly narrow flower spikes in blue or white petals on stems 30-46 cm tall. Salvia Mystical White, with its crisp white flowers, has captured attention. Zinnias, the darling of cutting gardens, are a must-have. The Zinnia Elegant Hot Mixture, a new dwarf zinnia series from PanAmerican Seed, features double-crested flowers in a blend of warm colors, including pink, orange, scarlet, and rose. These easy-to-grow zinnias look great in containers or the ground.
Calibrachoa and Sweet Potato Vine
Friesen is impressed with the new and vigorous calibrachoa from Proven Winners, Superbells Magic Double Grapefruit, which is perfect for baskets or containers. It has a trailing habit and loads of flowers that open lemon-yellow and change to pink. Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Shadowstorm, a new sweet potato vine from Proven Winners, has heart-shaped leaves nearly black and speckled with green. It's very controlled in its growth, ensuring it won't take over your container.
Remember, these new varieties are sure to inspire your container garden plans, but it's essential to consider your specific garden conditions and preferences. Happy gardening!
