 |
| Coleus 'Vanessa' grown on Vicky's deck. |
Story # 119,
Vanessa always wanted
to have a plant named for her. Since she
is not a hybridizer of plants, she can’t create one on her own.
I can help her with
that.
Plant species, which
are all ‘weeds’ somewhere in the World, follow a strict set of rules for
naming. The Genus, Species naming system
is important to take the chaos out of plant identification.
Hybrid names or
selections of certain clones are a little more free form. Names are picked by the hybridizer or
originator. Selections that can be
commercially grown are given names that fit the marketing program ---
‘Knockout’ Roses. Commercial names used
in Europe are often changed for the U.S. market --- ‘Ladyslipper’
Streptocarpus.
I looked for a plant
that could be ‘Vanessa’ and decided on Coleus ‘Combat’. It is a European variety listed by an Israeli
propagator. It has a wild and crazy
foliage pattern which would match Vanessa’s personality. It’s bright and vibrant --- Definitely worth
promoting.
If you didn’t get one
this year then watch for Coleus ‘Vanessa’ next Spring at Longwood Gardens’
Plant Shop.
No comments:
Post a Comment