Dr. A’s Top Picks From California Spring Trials 2025, Day 5

The final day of California Spring Trials 2025 is complete. Featuring stops at American Takii and Benary, here are a few plant varieties and other innovations that caught my eye on the final day of CAST 2025.

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  Be Green Seed Technology (Benary) | All photos courtesy of Dr. Allan Armitage

  Every seed company understands the need for high–quality seed capable of very high germination, regardless of sowing technique. Tiny seeds such as begonias require even more care, and Benary has come up with an impressive program. The coating of their melt pellets dissolves rapidly when the seeds are moistened, allowing the seed to begin the germination process immediately. Many of their seeds are also coated with a “Be Green” substrate that is free of chemicals and microplastics. Benary has been a leader in seed technology, and I was so impressed that they brought out and demonstrated their techniques for all to see.

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  Begonia ‘Mega Cool Pink’ (Benary)

  This new Mega Cool series has flowers in four colors. They are compact and especially useful for bowls and containers in the home or on the balcony. Benary is well known for its begonia breeding, and this series fills a gap for smaller plants with large flowers.

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  Pentas ‘Graffiti Falls Rose’ (Benary)

  Pentas has become a mainstay plant for the heat. While there have been a few pentas introductions that have been recommended for baskets and window boxes, they were almost an afterthought. ‘Graffiti Falls Rose’ has obviously been bred for pendulous habit; the stems literally grow down. That is correct, they don’t just fall down, they grow down. This is the first true hanging pentas from seed. The rose-colored flowers are handsome, but the growth habit is unique.

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  Rudbeckia ‘Tablemate Gold’ (Benary)

  I can think of very few plants that brighten up an area more than annual rudbeckias. This new introduction is compact and produces many beautiful, large golden flowers. Like other annual rudbeckias, they decline rapidly in conditions of tough weather such as high heat, humidity, or afternoon rain. To improve longevity, Benary does not recommend it be planted in the garden, but rather in a window box or balcony.

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  Zinnia ‘Belize Double Deep Rose’ (American Takii)

  The Belize series has been an excellent zinnia for many years. The double flowers always make a grand show, and the disease resistance is excellent. Three new colors were shown off (Double Pink Bicolor, Double Bright Rose, and Double Orange) at Takii, and they both caught my eye. Excellent plants to fill out an excellent series.

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Be Green Seed Technology (Benary)

Every seed company understands the need for high–quality seed capable of very high germination, regardless of sowing technique. Tiny seeds such as begonias require even more care, and Benary has come up with an impressive program. The coating of their melt pellets dissolves rapidly when the seeds are moistened, allowing the seed to begin the germination process immediately. Many of their seeds are also coated with a “Be Green” substrate that is free of chemicals and microplastics. Benary has been a leader in seed technology, and I was so impressed that they brought out and demonstrated their techniques for all to see.

Begonia Mega Cool Series (Benary)

This new series has flowers in four colors. They are compact and especially useful for bowls and containers in the home or on the balcony. Benary is well known for its begonia breeding, and this series fills a gap for smaller plants with large flowers.

Pentas ‘Graffiti Falls Rose’ (Benary)

Pentas has become a mainstay plant for the heat. While there have been a few pentas introductions that have been recommended for baskets and window boxes, they were almost an afterthought. ‘Graffiti Falls Rose’ has obviously been bred for pendulous habit; the stems literally grow down. That is correct, they don’t just fall down, they grow down. This is the first true hanging pentas from seed. The rose-colored flowers are handsome, but the growth habit is unique.

Rudbeckia ‘Tablemate Gold’ (Benary)

I can think of very few plants that brighten up an area more than annual rudbeckias. This new introduction is compact and produces many beautiful, large golden flowers. Like other annual rudbeckias, they decline rapidly in conditions of tough weather such as high heat, humidity, or afternoon rain. To improve longevity, Benary does not recommend it be planted in the garden, but rather in a window box or balcony.

Zinnia Belize Series (American Takii)

The Belize series has been an excellent zinnia for many years. The double flowers always make a grand show, and the disease resistance is excellent. Three new colors were shown off (Double Pink Bicolor, Double Bright Rose, and Double Orange) at Takii, and they both caught my eye. Excellent plants to fill out an excellent series.