Press Releases

New IPS Selection for 1997: Liberty™ 'Watermelon' (ppaf) Canna

NEW IPS SELECTION FOR 1997

LIBERTY™ WATERMELON (PPAF) CANNA

International Plant Selections, Inc., a recently-formed organization committed to bringing new plant material from hybridizers worldwide to the attention of the gardening public, has announced its second plant selection of the year-the Liberty™ Watermelon (PPAF) canna. Twice a year IPS announces its plant selections based on trials at sites across the country and around the world. Previous IPS selections have been Perfect Peach Glory (PPAF) daylily and Patriot™ Cherry lantana, both breeding breakthroughs with outstanding flowers, unique color and consistent performance. Liberty™ Watermelon canna exhibits all of these traits in addition to meeting the exacting requirements of the IPS plant trial programs.

STRINGENT CRITERIA ENSURES TOP QUALITY IPS SELECTIONS

Plants involved in the IPS trials are subject to evaluations that have been developed by specialists in each genus. In addition, characteristics which apply to a wide variety of plants are evaluated, including growth habit, zone hardiness, ease of propagation, resistance to diseases and pest, improvement in comparison to available plants of similar quality, beauty, market appeal and the range of commercial and/or residential uses for the plant in a variety of regions and markets. IPS is grounded in the belief that quality new plants are the lifeblood of the green industry; its trials were designed to verify performance and to assist in the development of worthy new cultivars. Horticulture professionals specializing in greenhouse, field and container operations assist in IPS plant evaluations; these professionals work from trial sites that span many climatic zones. Other "non-industry" participants include botanical gardens, theme parks and universities.

NEW LIBERTY™ WATERMELON LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!

The latest IPS selection, Liberty™ Watermelon canna, made a sweep of all the most sought-after features considered in the IPS field trials. The mouthwatering color of Liberty™ Watermelon's large raspberry-pink flowers sets it apart even against other excellent cannas in the new Liberty™ series. This canna is breathtaking from the moment the first shoots of Liberty™ Watermelon emerge from the ground wrapped in a burgundy sheath. Unfurling shoots reveal dark green foliage edged in mahogany, and unlike many varieties of cannas, the foliage of Liberty™ Watermelon will stay healthy and vigorous from summer until frost, even as multiple stalks are added. Similar to the well-known canna 'The President' in its dependability, strong rhizome structure and robust new growth, Liberty™ Watermelon is exceptionally lush and clean, with impeccable foliage throughout the season. As an added benefit, it is the most resistant of the Liberty™ cannas to leaf roller worms, a perpetual problem with older varieties of canna.

A GOOD CANNA MADE BETTER

Liberty™ Watermelon is the highlight of a new, improved series of popular liberty cannas hybridized by Jack Roberson, owner of American Daylily & Perennials in Grain Valley, Missouri and a successful canna hybridizer. His compact Liberty™ cannas became known for their dwarf growth habit and tendency for rapid increase as well as their resistance to heat, rot and the destructive leaf roller worm. The Liberty™ name is trademarked to assure consumers that they are purchasing plants from this quality series; the new generation of Liberty™ cannas has the added protection of plant patenting. Liberty™ Watermelon, like the other cannas in this series, has been carefully bred to encourage quick and clean shedding of spent blossoms, rapid increase (10 or more per growing season), exceptionally bright colors, dwarf and sturdy growth habits with reblooming new growth, heat and rot resistance, and early blooming-only 10-12 weeks from planting! Don't bank on the sales of dried up canna rhizomes that may have been stored, bare root, for months. Fresh, field grown rhizomes of Liberty™ Watermelon cannas can be ordered direct from American Daylily & Perennials. Plant the rhizomes in gallon containers 10-12 weeks before their summer bloom and let the amazing color of Liberty™ Watermelon cannas do the selling for you.

LIBERTY™ WATERMELON IS NOT FUSSY

Liberty™ Watermelon combines the elegance of 5th Avenue with the sturdiness of the Bronx-it is not fussy or difficult to grow. Bare root canna rhizomes should be soaked in tepid water for 24 hours before planting. They can be planted any time of year in zones 9 and 10, but in the cooler climate of zones 3 through 8 it is better to plant cannas in late spring or early summer. Cannas aren't picky about pH but they do prefer full sun and plenty of water. Keep newly planted cannas uniformly moist and do not allow them to dry out; they thrive in humid climates. Space cannas 18 to 24 inches apart and set rhizomes one to one and a half inches deep for best results. Allow cannas two to three weeks to become established, then fertilize with a 12-24-12 fertilizer at monthly intervals. While Liberty™ Watermelon is particularly resistant to leaf-roller worms, primarily a factor in the South, infestations may periodically occur; apply Malathion every three weeks during the blooming season to eliminate the problem.

PLANT A WINNING COMBINATION

Make the most of Liberty™ Watermelon canna's mouthwatering color by spotlighting it in a large container, mass-planting it around the edge of a pond or pool, or using subtle color combinations in a perennial border to create your own floral Impressionist painting. Try planting Liberty™ Watermelon cannas with spiky blue/purple flowers such as salvia, catmint, Russian sage or veronica; alternately, fragrant white flowering tobacco or white 'David' phlox could act as a frame to highlight the canna flowers and foliage. For an especially pleasing color combination, plant Liberty™ Watermelon canna with Patriot™ Rainbow lantana. Any landscape will become a standout when it features this outstanding new canna!

For more information, call or fax Jo Roberson:

INTERNATIONAL PLANT SELECTIONS
Phone: (816) 224-9119 Fax:(816) 443-2849