You can't buy them quite yet--these new University of Minnesota varieties have passed rigorous tests, but commercial trials and propagation take several years. After new selections are tested in multiple sites in Minnesota and elsewhere for two to five years, the best performers are sent to commercial trials for virus cleanup, propagation tests, and grower production to meet market standards. Finally, commercial propagation begins, but it can take several years to build up sufficient plant stock for retail nurseries and garden centers.

A new hardy gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) is in commercial trials. A hardy Minnesota species was crossed with plants gathered on collection trips to Texas, Mexico, California, and the Dakotas, resulting in a fragrant, hardy plant. It could be in retail nurseries as early as 2006.

A breakthrough in Easter lilies will be in commercial trials next spring. Frost tolerant, continuously flowering, seed-propagated Easter lilies could dramatically change the cutflower marketplace where 3- to 4-year-old lily bulbs are grown for one production harvest. These bloom repeatedly.

A gladiolus hybrid with dwarf species from South Africa shows promising fragrance and hardiness in a plant about 10" high. Seed propagation makes the plants easier to ship and store, with fewer diseases than the vegetative varieties. University scientists are collecting plants from South Africa to Siberia to develop a wide germplasm pool.

A new winter apple, as yet unnamed, will be available for sale in 2006, following three decades of development. Look forward to a rich, sweet flavor with hardiness comparable to 'Honeycrisp.'

You’ll be seeing red, even maroon, when the newest colors in the "Lights" azaleas series hit the market in a few years.

Several selections of hardy polyantha roses, with small stature, constant bloom, and large clusters of small flowers, will be released in 2007.

A spreading or "wave" chrysanthemum, only six inches high with a 2- to 3- foot spread, will soon change the way we look at mums.