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miss out on seeing California products. CalFlowers, the California Grow- ers & Shippers Association based in Capitola, had its own pavilion in the middle of the show. The associa- tion’s mission is to strengthen member
businesses, provide industry leadership and foster fresh flower sales and enjoy- ment through research, education, logistical support and promotion. Every two years, CalFlowers hosts a Fun ‘N Sun Conven- tion in Santa Barbara to help its members gain access to suppliers, buyers and other participants in the industry. The elaborate event, which includes flower farm tours, a golf tournament and educational sessions, is scheduled this year for July 24-27.
FRAGRANT AND VOLUPTUOUS
Garden roses are fascinating, fragrant, alluring and not just for weddings. Show attendees followed their eyes and noses to the most fragrant and voluptuous floral booth at the WFE – an exquisite exhibit by Alexandra Farms. This Miami-based company, with farms in Colombia, is said to be the world’s largest grower of garden roses.
previewed internationally at the IPM Essen trade fair in Essen, Germany.
Japan is the country of origin for several of Alexandra Farms’ new introductions, including Princess Meiko (Prosperous), which is a vivid pink dressed in rounded, layered petals. The Princess Japanese Garden Roses collection also includes the new Prin- cess Hitomi (Beautiful History), which has enticing inner petals that roll into hearts. The cotton candy pink garden rose features outer petals that form starry points.
Schafer says the new varieties from the Wabara line of Japanese garden roses, bred by master breeder Ken Kunieda of Rose Farm Keiji, are Hiyoli, in blush colors from
One of the new David Austin brand of garden roses called Effie (Ausgray), was introduced at WFE by Alexandra Farms.
The wide range of colors and fragrances enthralled show guests who were treated with new garden rose varieties.
Three new varieties in the company’s David Austin brand collection include Effie (Ausgray), a creamy white variety with inner tones of yellow, apricot and orange; creamy white Ella (Auswagsy) and Euge- nie (Ausimage), a white garden rose with a touch of blush apricot in the center. Accord- ing to Teresa Schafer, communications manager, The Ella and Eugenie roses were
Overall people find the Japanese varieties in our Wabara and Princess Japanese garden rose collections to be unique and special.”
Retailers looking to delight custom- ers with garden roses are interested when learning about the grower’s extensive vase life policy. “No rose will be accepted that does not meet the minimum standard of a 10-day vase life after it has been nurtured, harvested, carefully packaged and shipped under the expert care of our team, says Jose “Joey” Azout, founder and president of Alexandra Farms. pb
DID YOU KNOW?
The quarterly Floral Business can be found in the March, June, September and December issues of Pro- duce Business and online
at www.FloralBusiness.com
Princess Meiko (Prosperous), is a new variety in the Japanese Garden Roses collec- tion introduced at WFE by Alexandra Farms.
shell pink to pure white; the refined, elegant Misaki, in cool pink and white; and Shilabe, which is pure white with an inner touch of vanilla. “WFE attendees seemed especially taken by Princess Meiko, with her stunning ruffled petals and beautiful color,” says Schafer, adding, “Tsumugi is very popular with her blush pink color.
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