Behind the Scenes – Touch of Class
Episode: #2 17/03/07
Presenter: Melissa King
There is something irresistible about buying new release plants it is the thrill of growing something different. But a new plant does not make its way onto the market without some serious work; it takes years of trials and development. Melissa takes us on a behind-the-scenes journey through one of Australia’s best wholesale nurseries to show us why some plants make the cut, and some do not.
A lot of the latest and greatest new release plants wear the name ‘Touch of Class’. These plants are all grown and trialled at Greenhill’s Propagation Nursery. They work with growers and plant breeders throughout Australia and around the world to source the best new release plants.
Plants first go through a strict quarantine procedure to ensure they are free from disease and then they end up in the trial growing area.
The plants are first grown in pots, where they are assessed for about a year. The selectors are looking to see how well they perform, its suitability to Australian conditions, growth habit, flowering, disease and pest resistance, plus they are looking for something different in the plant to what is currently available, to give it a marketing edge.
Plants that make the first cut are then planted out to see how well they will stand up to garden conditions. To give you an idea, out of every 10 plants trialled on average only 2 to 4 plants pass the test.
If a plant performs to expectation in the gardens then it is sent to a network of growers in each state, so that it can be trialled under Australia’s vast climatic differences.
Melissa shows us just which plants have come out as the proven performers, and most of these beauties will be hitting garden centres this autumn.
Cabbage Tree (Cordyline obtecta ‘Falcon’) should be a sure winner with shiny, purplish red leaves which are green at the base, a lovely contrast.
Lime Wave Lomandra (Lomandra Cylindrica subsp. Affinis ‘Lime Wave’) is as delicious as it sounds, with bright green strappy foliage and a weeping habit; it is perfect for softening paths and retaining walls.
Look out for the new range of Common Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Plum Crazy’) and Common Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Kooper King’) with big flamboyant blooms on a compact bush that grows to around a metre, they are sure to make a great feature in your garden.
If you are looking for something really different, you should check out the Tequila Sunrise Coprosma (Coprosma repens ‘Tequila Sunrise’)The foliage takes on tints of lime-green, orange and burgundy throughout the year, and Golden Glow Coprosma (Coprosma repens ‘Golden Glow’) exudes golden yellow summer foliage that takes on bronze and apricot tones in the winter.
The next big thing in hedging and borders is the Dwarf Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenufolium ‘Golf Ball’). It is round and compact, only 50 cm tall and does not require pruning.
Touch of Class specialise in new and novel plant introductions. The plants are put through rigorous trials and are thoroughly tested and proven before their market release, building confidence, ensuring success, and giving pleasure to gardeners throughout Australia.
Greenhill Propagation Nursery:
http://www.greenhillspropagation.com.au/
Presenter: Melissa King
There is something irresistible about buying new release plants it is the thrill of growing something different. But a new plant does not make its way onto the market without some serious work; it takes years of trials and development. Melissa takes us on a behind-the-scenes journey through one of Australia’s best wholesale nurseries to show us why some plants make the cut, and some do not.
A lot of the latest and greatest new release plants wear the name ‘Touch of Class’. These plants are all grown and trialled at Greenhill’s Propagation Nursery. They work with growers and plant breeders throughout Australia and around the world to source the best new release plants.
Plants first go through a strict quarantine procedure to ensure they are free from disease and then they end up in the trial growing area.
The plants are first grown in pots, where they are assessed for about a year. The selectors are looking to see how well they perform, its suitability to Australian conditions, growth habit, flowering, disease and pest resistance, plus they are looking for something different in the plant to what is currently available, to give it a marketing edge.
Plants that make the first cut are then planted out to see how well they will stand up to garden conditions. To give you an idea, out of every 10 plants trialled on average only 2 to 4 plants pass the test.
If a plant performs to expectation in the gardens then it is sent to a network of growers in each state, so that it can be trialled under Australia’s vast climatic differences.
Melissa shows us just which plants have come out as the proven performers, and most of these beauties will be hitting garden centres this autumn.
Cabbage Tree (Cordyline obtecta ‘Falcon’) should be a sure winner with shiny, purplish red leaves which are green at the base, a lovely contrast.
Lime Wave Lomandra (Lomandra Cylindrica subsp. Affinis ‘Lime Wave’) is as delicious as it sounds, with bright green strappy foliage and a weeping habit; it is perfect for softening paths and retaining walls.
Look out for the new range of Common Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Plum Crazy’) and Common Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Kooper King’) with big flamboyant blooms on a compact bush that grows to around a metre, they are sure to make a great feature in your garden.
If you are looking for something really different, you should check out the Tequila Sunrise Coprosma (Coprosma repens ‘Tequila Sunrise’)The foliage takes on tints of lime-green, orange and burgundy throughout the year, and Golden Glow Coprosma (Coprosma repens ‘Golden Glow’) exudes golden yellow summer foliage that takes on bronze and apricot tones in the winter.
The next big thing in hedging and borders is the Dwarf Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenufolium ‘Golf Ball’). It is round and compact, only 50 cm tall and does not require pruning.
Touch of Class specialise in new and novel plant introductions. The plants are put through rigorous trials and are thoroughly tested and proven before their market release, building confidence, ensuring success, and giving pleasure to gardeners throughout Australia.
Greenhill Propagation Nursery:
http://www.greenhillspropagation.com.au/
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