Breeders Introducing More Disease-Resistant Varieties

Many factors in a greenhouse can contribute to the spread of disease. The warm temperatures and humid conditions make the ideal environment for diseases to thrive. Depending on the type of irrigation used, the foliage of plants may be wet for extended periods of time, which also contributes to disease development. Growers often space plants in close proximity to efficiently use their square footage, but this can also decrease airflow between plants and spread disease faster.

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  • Resistant to powdery mildew
  • Stays in bloom all season long
  • Strong flower power
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  • Bred for resistance to septoria leaf spot
  • Clean, hairy foliage
  • Ideal for mass planting or as perennial border
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  • Resistant to black spot, powdery mildew, rust, downy mildew, and cercospora
  • Flower power
  • Fragrant, yellow flowers
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  • Resistant to mildew
  • Sweetly fragrant, lavender-pink flowers
  • Foliage stays vibrant green
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  • Resistant to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)
  • Powered by Intrinsa
  • Requires minimal pinching or plant growth regulators
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  • Seed-propagated
  • Resistant to impatiens downy mildew
  • Thrives in full or partial sun
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  • Resistant to heuchera rust
  • Heat and humidity tolerant
  • Winter hardiness
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  • Resistant to powdery mildew
  • Continuous bloomer
  • No need for deadheading
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  • Resistant to pests and diseases
  • Tolerates various weather conditions
  • Sturdy garden gerbera
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  • Strong disease resistance
  • Two to three times more blooms per season than other Hydrangea arborescens
  • Sturdier, upright stems
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  • Resistant to diseases and insects
  • Tolerant of wet and dry soils
  • Blue-green, fine textured foliage
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  • Strong disease resistance
  • No pruning, fungicides, or pesticides needed
  • Long-blooming
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  • Useful ground cover, in borders, or mixed plantings
  • Can take more sun if planted in rich, moist soil; otherwise plant in shade or part sun
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  • Resistance to blight and leafminer
  • Low, graceful billowing habit
  • Best in shade to part-shade
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  • Disease resistance
  • 9-inch to 10-inch leaves
  • Dark green veining pattern on leaves
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  • Approved for sale in all black stem rust protected states
  • Sterile
  • Deep purple foliage
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  • Strong disease resistance
  • Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Best if grown on the dry side

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Verbena ‘Vanessa Bicolor Light Pink’ (Danziger)

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Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ (Intrinsic Perennial Gardens)

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Rosa ‘Knock Out Easy Bee-zy’ (Star Roses and Plants)

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Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ (North Creek Nurseries)

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Petunia ‘Potunia+ Purple Vein’ (Dümmen Orange)

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Impatiens ‘Solarscape XL Pink Jewel’ (PanAmerican Seed)

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Heuchera ‘Northern Exposure Lime’ (Terra Nova Nurseries)

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Helianthus ‘Suncredible Yellow’ (Proven Winners)

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Gerbera ‘Garvinea Sweet Blaze’ (HilverdaFlorist)

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First Editions FlowerFull Smooth Hydrangea (Bailey Nurseries)

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Distylium ‘Bayou Bliss’ (Plant Development Services)

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Daphne Perfume Princess Series (Anthony Tesselaar Plants)

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Carex laxiculmis ‘Hobb’ (Hoffman Nursery)

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Buxus ‘NewGen Liberty Belle’ (Saunders Genetics LLC)

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Brunnera ‘Jack of Diamonds’ (Walters Gardens)

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Berberis ‘Sunjoy Todo’ (Spring Meadow Nursery)

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Amsonia ‘Butterscotch’ (Emerald Coast Growers)

Due to the ease with which disease can spread in a greenhouse, breeders are more focused than ever on developing varieties that are disease-resistant. Many new varieties have disease-resistance bred into the genetics, and breeders acknowledge that this is one of their goals with new products. Check out the slideshow for a closer look at some new disease-resistant varieties.