Perennials are becoming increasingly important in the market

Perennials are becoming increasingly important in the market, a trend that is also clearly reflected in Selecta one’s product range. For the past three years, the Stuttgart-based company has been hosting the ‘Autumn Inspiration Days’. Through this event, Selecta one brings retailers and growers together and showcases innovative, practical concepts and fresh ideas centered on autumn perennials.

© Selecta one

This year’s event at the Selecta show garden in Geldern, Germany was very well attended, with visitor numbers exceeding those of the previous year. The strong presence of retailers was particularly encouraging, highlighting the growing demand for heat- and drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants and concepts. The interest clearly reflects the market’s need for resilient, easy-care products that offer reliable performance while reducing maintenance requirements for both producers and consumers.

© Selecta one

Autumn Friends
A key focus of the Autumn Inspiration Days is the ‘Autumn Friends’ concept, with its remarkable versatility, it is suitable for a wide variety of marketing approaches. Whether it’s harmonious plant combinations for containers and beds or individually themed CCs – the concept offers numerous opportunities to respond to current trends and present end customers with attractive autumn arrangements featuring high-quality plants. New components for creative mixes include varieties from the range of ornamental aromatic plants. These ornamental aromatic plants not only add a modern touch but also combine decorative appeal with benefits for local insect life.

Chrysanthemum
Further to the ‘Autumn Friends’ concept, the Autumn Inspiration Days focus on the chrysanthemum range, which is presented in detail with a wide variety of cultivars and attractive marketing opportunities.

Selecta one presents a newly structured range of compact and well-branched pot chrysanthemums for year-round production. Clearly divided into four lines, the range offers a diverse selection of flower shapes and colours: single-flowered varieties are marketed under the name Liora, whilst double-flowered varieties are marketed under Birdy. ‘Retro’ stands for bi-colour varieties, whilst the ‘Space’ line comprises the anemone-type varieties, which proved particularly popular during the event. All four lines are equally suitable to produce mixed pots and Trixi® combinations.

The Selecta range of garden chrysanthemums, which can be grown without pinching, comprises easy-to-cultivate varieties and is ideally suited to production in large containers, both in greenhouses and outdoors. With a complete color palette ranging from lighter shades to bold colors – from white, yellow and orange to violet – the diverse expectations and preferences of growers and consumers can be met.

Selecta also offers a selection of decorative chrysanthemums – the ideal complement to a range of autumn chrysanthemums.

© Selecta one

Other flowering perennials also proved to be a real highlight for visitors:

Deco Aromatics
Selecta one’s FleuroStar entry ‘French Flair’ is a compact, slightly trailing perennial Origanum with a cushion-shaped habit. Its dense, rounded form is covered in long-lasting blooms ranging from delicate violet to deep purple, bringing a touch of French flair to any planting. With an exceptionally long flowering period from late spring into autumn, ‘French Flair’ is highly heat-tolerant. Its compact habit makes it ideal for pots, containers, borders and smaller urban spaces such as balconies and rooftop gardens.

The Origanum varieties Deco Purple and Deco Pink are already proving their potential with attractive pink and violet flowers. These decorative herbs add color to mixed containers and beds while also attracting pollinators. They have an upright, moderately vigorous habit and reach 20–30 cm in height.

The Thymus varieties Rose Beauty and Purple Beauty are compact to medium-growing, low and spreading, reaching 10–15 cm. Their simple flowers appear early, making them attractive additions to seasonal plantings.

Echinacea
Selecta’s growing range of Echinacea is now categorized according to different growth characteristics: Compact-Line, Medium-Line and Garden-Line.

© Selecta one

The newly named Compact-Line comprises the successful compact Echinacea series Catch me®, which features abundant buds and blooms and excellent summer performance. It is being expanded to include a new bright yellow variety, Catch me® Yellow. Catch me® is one of the most compact series available on the market.

Rudbeckia ‘Golden Zen’
Selecta’s Rudbeckia hirta ‘Golden Zen’ series, comprising five varieties, is also popular on the market. These include three double-flowered and two single-flowered varieties – all featuring striking colours and patterns in yellow, orange and red. The varieties are characterized by large flowers, early flowering, medium-vigorous growth with good branching, and good resistance to powdery mildew. The Golden Zen series is supported by an eye-catching marketing concept.

© Selecta oneRudbeckia Mix

Perennial carnations
The perennial carnations from the ‘Whetmans Pinks’ range add a special touch to Selecta’s perennial assortment. The Alpine Pinks series features drought-tolerant and hardy varieties with striking foliage and strongly scented flowers that bloom from April right through to autumn. A key advantage is that these low-maintenance plants can be grown in cooler conditions.

‘It-Girl’ is the standout perennial carnation. This striking, attractive variety from the Alpine series displays a veritable splendor of ruffled, bright pink flowers with a subtle picotee pattern, a compact habit and elegant grey-green foliage. It is strongly scented, drought-tolerant and insect-friendly.

Grasses rounded off the selection, demonstrating their versatility and strong potential for autumn-focused plant concepts.

Selecta one is delighted with the success of this year’s Autumn Inspiration Days. The event generated strong interest from retailers and industry professionals, with very positive feedback on the range and concepts presented.

Selecta’s Autumn Inspiration Days provided an excellent opportunity for retailers and producers to connect directly, exchange ideas and place orders directly on site. This close exchange between market partners was an important part of the event’s success and underlined the practical relevance of the concepts presented.