Dümmen Orange Showcases Innovations Rooted in Science and Art at CAST 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Apr. 16, 2026) – Dümmen Orange brought the art of science and the science of art to life at the California Spring Trials (CAST) 2026 as advanced breeding met inspired design to create its next generation of beautiful, high-performing plants. Across annuals, perennials and combination programs, the 2027 lineup is one that delivers innovation, flexibility and reliable performance for growers and retailers alike.
For annuals, I’Conia® begonias continue to set the standard. For more than a decade, its distinct subseries has simplified program building while delivering consistent performance. New for 2027, I’Conia® Valencia Pink offers standout color, strong branching, excellent heat tolerance and versatility across multiple pot sizes.
Begonia I’Conia® Valencia Pink
Momentum continues with Dahlia Summer Bees which have expanded with Salmon Bicolor and Red Star. Dahlia Summer Bees have bold color, strong branching and a pollinator-friendly upright habit. In petunias, Sweetunia Violet Vortex stands out with a medium upright habit, early flowering and a striking tricolor pattern. Sweetunia Violet Vortex is also powered by Intrinsa® for reliable, disease-resistant production.
Dahlia Summer Bees Salmon Bicolor and Red Star
Additional new highlights include New Guinea Impatiens Petticoat® Neon Flame, Lilac Ice and Orange, that offer a medium-compact habit and early, uniform flowering which makes it ideal for small pots and baskets, and Coleus Down Town® Santa Fe, the most compact series in the lineup, now feature a rich burnt orange that shines in sun and glows in shade. For season extension, Lantana Havana® delivers with improved performance and a bold new Cherry Red, ideal for late spring through early summer sales.
Lantana Havana® Cherry Red
Dümmen Orange continues to think beyond the single pot with purpose-driven combinations designed for efficiency and impact. The new Garden Party Shade Princess series answers demand for premium shade solutions by pairing New Guinea Impatiens with bold foliage from the Welcome to the Jungle® line. BlooMix blends first-year flowering perennials with cold-tolerant annuals to create dynamic combinations that extend color at retail and in the landscape.
BlooMix
True North Perennials took center stage. All varieties in the program are rigorously trialed to survive two winters 200 miles north of Fargo, North Dakota to deliver reliable Zone 3 hardiness. From standout performers like Leucanthemum Sweet Daisy® Kylie to Dianthus Mad Magenta and the addition of the Veronica Candela series, the portfolio offers dependable performance.
True North Perennials
At the core of the perennial program is the First-Year Flowering collection. This provides vibrant retail color and unmatched production flexibility without the need for vernalization which makes it ideal for both northern and southern markets. One of the new standouts among the first-year flowering varieties was Agastache Honeysticks Gold which adds a vibrant new dimension to the Honeysticks series with its compact habit, strong branching and reliable Zone 4 hardiness. It is an excellent choice for both production efficiency and landscape performance.
Agastache Honeysticks Gold
The La Diva Lavender Collection delivers a lavender for every season. From early Spanish types like Berry Rosey to English selections like Eternal Elegance and Eternal Grace as well as French types like Imperial Early, the collection offers unmatched versatility and continuous color across production cycles.
Behind it all is the power of Intrinsa®, Dümmen Orange’s advanced breeding approach that identifies and integrates natural disease resistance directly into the plant. Combined with clean stock programs and Greencare phytosanitary standards, this foundation ensures plants start clean, stay clean and perform more reliably throughout the entire supply chain.
Tosca Ferber, Chief Technology Officer presented on Intrinsa®
To wrap up CAST 2026, Dümmen Orange donated all of its plant material for the fifth year to the Tolosa Children’s Dental Center (TCDC), which held a plant sale fundraiser. The sale raised around $15,000 for the nonprofit based in Paso Robles, California which opened in 2003 to help underserved and underinsured children access quality, consistent oral health care. As the only nonprofit pediatric dental center in San Luis Obispo County, TCDC remains committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of income, has access to essential oral care.
