Daehnfeldt has announced its new varieties to be offered for 2001. Holding true to their tradition of quality genetics, the breeders are offering extensions to the successfully proven varieties for which they are known.

Leading the Gerbera market, it’s of no surprise that Daehnfeldt includes more Festival Gerbera Daisy additions in the unveiling for 2001. Three varieties add to the standard Festival Gerbera listing including improved Red, an improved Yellow as well as a new Golden Yellow with Eye. Both of the improvements introduced for 2001 will satisfy the growers with bold color and more consistent flower count and stem length. The improvements made also mean that the flowering window for the varieties will be more consistent with the series. The addition to the dark eye series(once known as "Masquerade"), Golden Yellow with Eye, offers a deep bold yellow contrasted against the clean dark center. This new standard Festival pronounces clearly the bold, clean color for which the Daehnfeldt Festival Gerbera have become known.

Also enhancing the Festival Gerbera series, breeders have presented three new individual colors and a mix to the Festival Mini varieties. Deep Red Rose Shades, once the lone mini of the series has been joined by Rose Shades, Orange Shades and Yellow Shades- a FloraStar winner. In addition, the Festival Mini series will now be offered in a mix for the first time. The mini series, grown in a 4" pot grows to a finished "root to bloom" height of 8-10 inches in contrast to the standard Festival Gerbera which finishes at 12-14" in height. As with all of the Festival series, the mini can be used as a gift pot plant, in the garden, in large containers, mixed patio plantings and in window boxes. The mini series is better suited than standard sized varieties for mixed colors bowls and containers of similar limited size always in demand in the upscale garden center.

Daehnfeldt completes the introductions to the Festival Gerbera line with four exciting mixes each with the grower in mind. The Grower Select Mix is exactly what the name implies. This mix was hand selected by growers -- for growers. The Grower Select Mix offers varieties chosen for the tightest of flowering windows and the most uniform plant and bloom habits. This selection will provide for more successful bench run production for the grower while providing a selection of some of the most popular colors. The three seasonal mixes, Spring Bouquet, Fall Harvest and Winter Holiday mixes are those chosen for their color, to directly coordinate with the Festival Gerbera Daisy Seasonal Program. This program suggests seed and plug planting dates to growers interested in capturing the holiday markets. The mixes introduced suggest color combinations that directly align to the prime flower-giving holidays.

The Carnival Impatiens series, known for exceptional performance in heat and drought conditions sees the addition of Lavender Blue to the other unique colors of the series. More than "just another Impatiens, Lavender Blue stands out strongly against the dark green foliage for which Carnival has become known.

The Danova Primula (acaulis) series enjoys an addition of Velvet Red to the series for 2001. Velvet Red, holds a truly velvet look and introduces a "red" to Primula that will answer the consumer demand for a deep bold red that stands clear of burgundy.

Daehnfeldt’s Diamond Phlox is added to the list for 2001 and offers seven individual colors plus a mix to the market. Teaming with the Daehnfeldt Crystal Series, Diamond presents a solid petal bloom and adds mass color to the garden. Diamond and Crystal are popular choices for an interesting blend of color and texture to mixed containers as well. Diamond is offered in seven colors and a mix.

Daehnfeldt’s Platycodon series has added White, Pink and Semi-Double Blue to the presentation for 2001 and has improved the already popular Blue. This Platycodon excels with exceptional branching and a compact habit. In addition, the unique petal thickness of each flower means better holding power in the greenhouse, in transport and at retail.

Daehnfeldt has reintroduced Avanti Gloxinia to the US market by popular demand. This variety is repeatedly said to be the best on the market by pot plant growers. Its compact plant habit, flexible leaves and constant abundance of bloom make it "the" Gloxinia for easiest shipping and premium sales. Retailers love the color selection – nine individual colors plus the Avanti Mix. Avanti – just in time for the growing pot plant gift-giving market.