CAST – Day 3

Today was another eventful one at the California Spring Trials (CAST).  I hit three more sites with many featuring more than one grower/company.  The weather was partly sunny and 70 degrees F and just beautiful.  I had excitement on Highway 101 (70 mph) when the vehicle two ahead of me had the hood fold up and bash down on the windshield.  Not sure how the seven or eight of us in the vicinity didn’t get in to a crash with this car swerving off the road (safely stopped).  I toured, photographed and chatted with folks at Benary, Volmary, ABZ Seeds, Speedling, Hem Genetics, Plant Source International, Thompson & Morgan, Vista Farms and Proven Winners today.  The three sites weren’t far apart but distance can’t be measured as “a crow flies” as the rolling topography is a big factor.  I was able to see more of the countryside and certainly had no shortage of seeing new and exciting plants!  It was nice to chat with so many “green industry” folks who I’ll continue to maintain are some of the nicest people around.

Benary created a “Museum of Plants” (above and below) and even had a Plant Fashion Show (second photo down)
 trailing begonia display at Benary (above)
 Speedling was set in the countryside you see below!

 

 ‘Orchid Cream’ nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.) – annual

 

 Chiba Series pinks (Dianthus sp.)
 coleus galore!
 ‘Fingerpaint’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) – not new but cool

 

 

 

 The Proven Winners display was set up at Kiligin Cellars Winery

 

 

 ‘Dolce Appletini’ coral bells (Heuchera) – perennial

 

‘Invincibelle Ruby’ smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)