New Cultivar Releases — Caladiums
These new caladium varities were developed by Dr. Zhanao Deng and Dr. Brent Harbaugh of the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.
Berry Patch
'Berry Patch' is a new, spotted, fancy-leaved caladium variety. For overall plant quality, 'Berry Patch' received the highest scores among the varieties tested in both growing seasons (2005 and 2006). It has shown superior tuber production in the replicated field trials, consistent with growers' trials of 'Berry Patch' (T. Cantwell-Bates). With a vigorous growth habit, 'Berry Patch' can quickly fill a landscape space with many leaves. Additionally, 'Berry Patch' resists sunburn. These characteristics allow 'Berry Patch' to perform well in the landscape in full sun.
Garden White
'Garden White' belongs to the white fancy-leaved cultivar group. It's very vigorous, large-leaved, tall, and sun-tolerant making it ideal for use in sunny landscapes or large containers. Landscape performance ratings were excellent for 'Garden White,' producing full plants with many colorful leaves and little sun burn. If used in small pots, 'Garden White' would perform best if de-eyed tubers were treated with a growth retardant.
Firecracker Red
'Firecracker Red' produces many large leaves with intense red color and performs well in sunny landscapes and large containers. 'Firecracker Red' had excellent overall landscape performance ratings during its growing season. It was the tallest cultivar evaluated in this test. 'Firecracker Red' had similar performance in pots compared to the other red-leaved cultivars tested. Although 'Firecracker Red' has potential as a container plant, it appears to be better suited for use in the landscape.
Summer Rose
'Summer Rose' was intended to replace 'Rosebud.' 'Summer Rose' is similar in color and container performance to 'Rosebud,' but has a higher tuber yield and performs better than 'Rosebud' does. In addition, its petioles are red purple at the leaf attachment and gradually darken to brown at the petiole base. In the landscape trial, 'Summer Rose' was taller with larger leaves than 'Rosebud,' but similar in height and leaf size to 'Candidum' and 'Carolyn Whorton.' It had excellent performance ratings all through the growing season. Plant performance of 'Summer Rose' in containers was similar to that of 'Rosebud' and 'Carolyn Whorton.' Since 'Rosebud' is known as an excellent pot plant, these results indicate 'Summer Rose' also has potential for use as a potted/container plant.
