Coleus 'Dipt in Wine'

If you design with coleus, we have another unique variety for you—‘Dipt in Wine’. Take a look at the rich burgundy-colored leaves—how do you like the lime green scalloped edging? We think it’s a striking color combination—and the pattern is pretty cool, too.

‘Dipt in Wine’ performs well in full sun to full shade, though in full sun the lime green portions of the leaves can sometimes appear bright gold. Like most coleus it retains its vivid color throughout the season. As a bonus, this summer-friendly variety loves the heat.

Angelonia is one of our favorite summer bedding plants—it’s low-maintenance and both heat and drought-tolerant. The Serena™ series that we grow is slightly shorter than the species at about 10–14 inches tall, but it has the same strong vertical stalks and long-lasting snapdragon-like flowers. This versatile plant is one of our go-to standards for dressing up the landscape and containers of all kinds.

Summer snapdragons add an air of breezy elegance to a design. Medium or large standing planters filled with angelonia make sophisticated focal points around restaurant patios or outdoor dining areas. We like to use the showy flower spikes as thriller elements in combinations, too. For a chic deck box, plant a row of ‘Serena™ Blue’ with a row of ’Supertunia® White’ or ‘Vista Silverberry’ in front. Tuck in some light green foliage to spill over the edge and you’ve got instant style. Create another striking combo by mixing ‘Serena™ Blue’ and ‘Serena™ White’ with ‘Supertunia® Raspberry Blast’ for contrast. Use an old wooden wine box or weathered crate as a planter to give it a trendy rustic touch.

To produce a color-block effect in a border or bed plant wide swaths of ‘Serena™ Blue’ and white petunias side-by-side. A subtler look can be achieved by intermingling the two—sometimes we get creative and come up with interesting patterns incorporating both colors. When using them en masse we usually space these plants 9–12 inches apart.

‘Serena™ Blue’ and ‘Serena™ White’ are available in the 8-inch pot.

‘Supertunia® White’ comes in the 10-inch hanging basket; ‘Supertunia® Vista Silverberry’ and ‘Supertunia® Raspberry Blast’ are available in the 8-inch pot.

Save the date: our annual Field Day will be held this year on Thursday, August 20th. We look forward to this special event each summer, when we have the opportunity to gather with like-minded professionals in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. As we’ve done in previous years, we’ll offer a Retail session that will meet in the morning and a Landscape session that will meet in the afternoon. 

Once again we’ll be keeping it local and meeting at the Vinoklet Winery right up the street. With its rolling hills and ponds the Winery provides a picturesque setting for Field Day, and we can hold both our Retail and Landscape seminars rain or shine, in air-conditioned comfort. 

We know what you’re thinking—the real reason we meet at the Winery is for the mouth-watering lunch in the restaurant. Ok, we admit it. If you attended last year you’ll be happy to hear that we’re keeping the menu the same.

Between our morning and afternoon sessions we’ll be touring the display gardens at Diefenbacher. Further info on the gardens—plus this year’s speaker lineup—will appear in upcoming editions of Field Notes, so be sure to check back each week. Please note: an RSVP is required for this event. When you have a moment, call the main office and let John or Sandra know if you’ll be attending.