With the old year 2007 behind us, it is time to look to the future with hope. This is an ideal opportunity to take a tour of the new cut flower varieties that will be introduced this year.

Of the new garden phlox varieties, White Missy is just outstanding. These cut stems last very well, and have an excellent vase life—about two weeks. The small white blossoms open in flat heads. They have a delightful fragrance.

Floriana anthurium is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It has vivid, blood red blossoms on sturdy, tall stems. The vase life of this variety is just unbelievable—about five weeks.

Calgary alstroemeria is noted for its especially large flowers. The cream colored blossoms have just a hint of green with contrasting dark lines near the center.

Fiction Gerbera has eye catching, fully double blossoms. These are iridescent pink with white. This lasts very well with a vase life of about 18 days.

If you’re looking for purple blooms, check out Emotion alstroemeria. The vivid flowers have contrasting light centers that are beautifully decorated with dark lines. As a cut stem, these last for around 18 to 19 days.

For cut flower arrangements during the spring and fall months, the flowering kales and cabbages can’t be beat. Pink Kamome is a new variety of flowering kale. These giant heads feature showy, quilted, curly green foliage along the outer edges. This serves as the perfect background on which to view the huge, blushing pink fluffy center petals.

For summer bouquets, nothing beats zinnias from your own cutting garden. Do plan on adding Distance zinnia this year. These exquisite blossoms are either fully double or mostly double. Producing lots of flower stems, these plants reach about 1½ feet tall. Distance is available in a mix of colors, which includes white, yellow, peach, various pinks, and rose.

Tiger Eye Gold Rudbeckia is a breathtaking new black eyed susan. This represents a breakthrough for it is the very first hybrid Rudbeckia. The strong plants are especially floriferous. The bright golden-yellow blossoms open at the ends of the shoots.

Love-in-a-mist is now available as a mix. University Mix includes plants with flowers in a range of colors from light blue to dark blue. The seeds are sold by Thompson and Morgan.