An exceptional demand for the new series of 'Sunsatia®' hybrid Nemesia is expected for 2004. The new series took pride of place this year at the Open days of Andreas Psenner. It is the result of an interspecific cross between N. fruticans (syn. divergens) x N. strumosa. The former species is a perennial species with a long flowering period while N. strumosa is an annual species but with larger more brightly coloured flowers. The large flowers have very attractive throat colours and markings which create a flower with 3 to 4 different colour components. Silvia Hofmann, head breeder at InnovaPlant, Germany, points out that in their efforts to improve the hybid varieties of Nemesia, the Company has in fact created an entirely new group of ornamental plants. Sunsatia® 'Cranberry' (red), 'Pineapple' (cream-yellow), 'Lemon' (golden yellow) and 'Coconut' (white) are hanging/trailing varieties. 'Sunsatia®' 'Peach' (cream), 'Mango' (yellow) and 'Blackberry' (pink) are upright in habit. Technically classified as half-hardy perennials these vegetatively propagated varieties produce large flowers from early spring through to the first frosts. They are highly suited, depending on variety, for hanging baskets, window boxes and patio containers, preferring a free-draining soil and a position in full sun or partial shade. Proven Winners have also introduced a more compact slightly scented Nemesia type under the name Karoo™. So far there is a blue variety (blue flowers with white centre) Blue (Innkablue) and pink with yellow centre (Innkapink). These are triploid varietiues and therefore do not set seed. This allows the plants to flower more continuously from may to October. Flowering is continuous without pronounced flushes and plants have a compact rounded habit. See article on Nemesia and Diascia in Sepetmber edition of "Clamer Informa". For further information: Andreas Psenner www.psenner.it E-mail: robert@psenner.it Proven Winners www.pweurope.com