California Spring Trials 2026: Moody Meets Metallic in the Latest Plant Development Services Introductions

Carpinteria, CA – At California Spring Trials 2026, Plant Development Services will debut a new slate of introductions in which moody blooms meet metallic-tinged foliage, redefining color for the modern garden. Rich, saturated flowers bring new interest to proven landscape performers, while luminous silvers and radiant golden tones add light, contrast, and dimension to foundation plantings.

“Strong color stops shoppers in their tracks,” says Kip McConnell, VP of Business Development for Plant Development Services, Inc. “These introductions deliver bold, seldom-seen colors that drive impulse purchases, while maintaining the performance, reliability, and consistency growers and retailers depend on.”

This Year’s Introductions Include:

Available through Encore® Azalea:

Autumn Velvet™ – With flushes of unprecedented dark magenta blooms from spring through fall, Autumn Velvet™ expands the rainbow of possibilities for reblooming azaleas. Its compact, dense evergreen habit (4’ x 4’) creates a sophisticated and moody presence in containers, mass plantings, or garden beds. Hardy in Zones 6–10 for full sun to part shade. (IMAGE) 

Available through the Butterfly Candy® Buddleia Collection:

Li’l Magenta™  – Adding vibrant energy to pollinator gardens, Li’l Magenta™ produces voluminous panicles filled with striking magenta blooms from late spring through the first frost. Its compact size (2–3’ tall and wide) and floriferous habit make it an ideal choice for containers, borders, and small spaces, to add visual appeal while supporting pollinators throughout the season. Li’l Magenta joins five color variations in the Butterfly Candy Collection, presented with engaging point-of-purchase materials, creating an irresistible display that drives sales. Hardy to Zone 5.
(IMAGE) 

Available through Southern Living® Plant Collection:

Early Surprise™ Camellia – For bright color with a head start on the season, the new game-changing Early Surprise™ Camellia bursts into radiant coral red blooms as early as late summer, well ahead of traditional camellia varieties. Glossy, dark green foliage in a tidy, upright form creates an elegant, evergreen backdrop, reaching 6–8’ tall by 4–6’ wide. Hardy in Zones 7–9 and adaptable from full sun to partial shade. (IMAGE)

Available through Southern Living® and Sunset® Plant Collections:

Mahonia Silver Caress™ – Elevate shaded nooks and corners with the silvery, bamboo-like foliage of Silver Caress™. A graceful, compact habit of 3.5’ tall by 3’ wide and feathery evergreen leaves brings delicate movement to the landscape, contrasted by sweet yellow blooms in winter. Reliable heat tolerance and drought resilience in Zones 7–9. (IMAGE)

Available through Southern Living® and Sunset® Plant Collections:

Ilex Golden Sky™ – A beacon of golden foliage, Golden Sky™ delivers bold color in a naturally slender, upright form (8’ x 3’). Ideal for narrow spaces, mixed containers, or as a radiant screening hedge, this holly thrives in full sun to part shade in Zones 5–9. (IMAGE)

Stop information: 3300 Via Real, Carpinteria, CA 93013

• Tues, March 24: 8 AM – 5 PM
• Wed, March 25: 8 AM – 5 PM
• Thurs, March 26: 8 AM – 5 PM
• Fri, March 27: 8 AM – 5 PM

About Plant Development Services Inc.

Plant Development Services Inc. was founded in 1996 by Greg Smith of the third-generation, family-owned Flowerwood Nursery, Inc. Plant Development Services owns and/or licenses more than 300 patented plant properties and boasts these top-ranking plant brands: Encore® Azalea, the Southern Living® Plant Collection, the Sunset Plant Collection®, Better Boxwood®, and Butterfly Candy®. To learn more about Plant Development Services Inc., visit plantdevelopment.com.