Ball FloraPlant, Chicago, Ill., introduced several new geraniums suitable for a variety of landscape applications.
The zonal geranium Designer Series now includes 22 colors, with the addition of three new reds - Scarlet, Cherry and Bright Red Improved. Plants in this series are known for their vigorous growth and large flowers.
The heat-tolerant Galleria series now features six distinctive colors, including Bright Violet and FrostFire, new for 2002. These zonal geraniums are free flowering with a trailing habit ideal for patios or balconies.
In the Starbust series, Red and Violet Rose burst onto the geranium scene with striped blooms and a vigorous growth habit suitable for landscapes, planters and hanging baskets. For its excellent performance in the landscape, Starburst Red earned a FloraStar award.
The newest color in the Fantasia series, known for large flower umbels, dark green leaves and heat tolerance, is Salmon Mist Improved. Other colors in the series include Cardinal Red Improved, Flame Improved, Coral Improved, Flamingo Rose, Shocking Pink and Pink Shell.
Uniform, free-flowering geraniums with dark foliage, the Showcase series features several new colors. New Frosted Salmon is a rich, nonfading salmon with a bright white center, and other new colors are Bright Cherry, Deep Scarlet and Pink Improved. The series also includes Bright Red, Red, Scarlet, Bright Coral Improved, Dark Salmon, Salmon, Light Salmon, Pink Parfait, Light Lavendar and White.
Finally, the Colorcade ivy geranium series now has seven new color choices, which are better branching. Introductions include Red, Cherry Red, Purple, Burgundy Ice, Coral Pink, Dark Lavendar and White. Other colors available are Burgundy Improved, Deep Pink, Pink, Lilac and Lavendar.
The author is Contributing Editor to Lawn & Landscape magazine.