Novalis Expands Edibles Line

I really enjoyed visiting Novalis this year at Short Course. The consortium's booth was actually a bunch of smaller booths that highlighted its growers, including Willoway Nursery and Carolina Nurseries.

This setup helped each operation feature what it specializes in, together covering the whole Novalis offering. The displays included the expanded Plants That Work In The Kitchen line, which now includes herbs, small fruits and retail-ready veggies.

"Novalis has developed innovative packaging for use with Plants That Work In The Kitchen," says J. Guy, manager and founder of Novalis. "Brand-based bench displays with engaging header signs, inviting bench cards and large-format mesh banners can be custom printed for retailers."

The packaging for the line includes six-pack trays, so retailers can offer customers medleys of garden herbs.

Other new exclusives for 2010 are:

• Rainbow Sensation Weigela, an improved, variegated weigela with compact growth and soft-pink trumpet flowers.
  
• 'Hot Summer' coneflower, with a mango-colored bloom that fades to an orange-red.
• Chasmanthium 'River Mist,' a variegated white and green striped foliage.
  
• Leucanthemum 'Banana Cream,' a bright yellow Shasta daisy for the perennial border.