A range of very interesting new varieties were to be see during the Company's Open Days in June 2003. The pre-trial selection area was also of much interest. A new series of Petunia called Caleidos®, bred and selected by Lazzeri, provides a range of 4 varieties with large flowers (above 5cm in diameter) and 7 varieties with medium sized 'Midi' flowers (3-5cm). Caleidos® flower 7-10 days earlier than traditional trailing petunia varieties. They flower continuously throughout the summer and resist wind and rain very well. The colours in the large flowered Caleidos® types are: red, dark purple, lavender (particularly appealing), and white. The 'Midi' varieties in: purple, hot pink, pink, salmon, rosa pastello, light pink and white. One or two varieties of the 'Midi's' have sharper petal (corolla) edges giving a 'stellate impression'. 'Midi' pink and light-pink have a very attractive yellow throat. In the Surfina® series of Petunia they are offering 'Crazy Pink', 'Vanilla' and 'Baby Coral Red' as new for 2004. (Surfina® Purple is very popular accounting for about 60% of their sales of this series). In the Million Bells® series of Petunia, 'Salmon' and 'White' will be new to the catalogue. The Lolita® series of Lantana should do well considering recent climatic changes: 'Yellow-Lilla', 'Red-Orange' and 'Yellow Orange' are new for 2004. They branch well forming low dense bushy habits. The latter two have particulary strong 'tangy colours'. There are five new additions to the Margherite Daisy Crazy® series from Australia (PLA), relative newcomers to Europe. They have a good range of colours including red and rose, double or single flowers and produce masses of flowers continuously through the summer, preferring hot dry weather. They need some protection from heavy frosts. The new varieties are: 'Sultans Dream', 'Sultans Lemon', 'Blazer Snow', 'Sunlight®' and 'Cherry Love'. Gazania series Sun Bathers® (not new ) demonstrated excellent resistance to this year's high temperatures and high light intensity. They are sold as 2 year old cuttings, produce very large flowers (10-12cm) and are proving very popular with producers also because they can be successfully grown at low temperature regimes. The pelfi® series of Sonic and Supersonic Impatiens from Fischer are being introduced in 2004. They form well branched compact plants and the flowers are exceptionally large. Several new introductions for 2004 came in the Paradise® and Painted Paradise® series of Impatiens and pelfi® Pelargoniums. Certainly the hot days (with only a slight fall in temperature during the night) experienced prior to the Open Days and for the duration of an exceptionally hot summer will no doubt influence breeding and selection programs in course. For more information contact: Luigi Vasarri, Fax 0039 0473 246666 E-mail: lvasarri@lazzeri.com www.lazzeri.com