Fall Behind, Spring Forward

By Jeff Gibson Ball Seed Landscape Business Manager

No, the title of this article doesn’t have to do with changing your clocks back. I’m talking about having our scheduled Fall landscape plantings behind us, and taking the time now to think about your Spring and Summer plantings for 2021.

But you may be thinking, “My clients can’t even think about that right now. They are still months away from making up their minds for Spring, let alone Summer color!”

Any other year that would be fine and good. But be warned: The COVID-19 outbreak has created an unprecedented demand for plants at garden retailers and for residential landscapes. The predictions are positive for similar demand for next year. Many growers – particularly nursery growers – anticipate higher demand and earlier. So if you’re waiting to book Spring and Summer color for later, you may want to contact your grower NOW to re-confirm order-by dates or give them a preliminary order for what you know you have on contract already.

As for what to order, here are a few items to consider adding to your color containers and planting beds for next season.

Beacon® Impatiens are living up to the promise of being highly resistant to Impatiens downy mildew as cooler, wetter nights settle in. Beacon Rose is a new color added to the series for 2021.

Marvel II™ African Marigold will be a taller (18″/46cm) solution for gold, yellow and orange Summer plantings. Double Zahara™ Yellow Improved Zinnia would also work for hot and dry areas needing a pop of color.

For containers or mixed combinations, award-winning Bee’s Knees Petunia is a fantastic new yellow that lasts all summer long.

For residential clients hoping to attract pollinators (birds, bees and butterflies), the new Echinacea Artisan™ collection would be perfect for sunny landscapes. Two new colors are launched: Red Ombre and Soft Orange.

For a comprehensive look at 2021 new varieties, visit BallLandscape.com/Presentations. Let’s keep the excitement flowing for plants in the new year, but remember: Better planning starts with earlier communication.