J. Berry Nursery Expands to International Licensing with Black Diamond, Adds to Crapemyrtle Market Share with Emerald Empire
May 2017 – Grand Saline, TX—J. Berry’s instantly-recognizable Black Diamond Crapemyrtle Collection is now available world-wide. Plants are trademarked under the Black Diamond® name in China, Japan, and South Africa, as Black Solitaire™ in Europe, and Diamonds in the Dark® in Australia.
Growers and retailers are enthusiastically embracing the crapemyrtles, known for their mildew-resistant dark burgundy leaves, compact growth habits, and bountiful, summer-long blooms. Marketing & Business Development Director Eric Ciraud of DHMI, the EU’s Black Solitaire™ distributor, says, “The unique black foliage crapemyrtle series known as Black Diamond® in the US is now available in the EU under the Black Solitaire™ brand. First commercial tests made in 2016 opened a market of over 500 millions inhabitants, announcing an outstanding success.”
“Black Diamond® Crapemyrtles are making a tremendous impact in China; we see nothing but success and opportunities ahead of us,” says Shaun Xiao Xiong, General Manager of Ningbo Yong Feng Landscape Construction Co., the Black Diamond® distributor for China.
Creativity, Contained
Back in the United States, Black Diamonds® are moving north, fast becoming the star “thrillers” in container garden combinations in growing zones otherwise incompatible with crapemyrtle culture.
“With the allure of deep burgundy foliage, the Black Diamond® Crapemyrtle provides a striking and long lasting accent plant for your container gardens. While the foliage alone draws your attention, the surprise of flowering color that comes early summer followed by autumn’s delicate seed pots keeps the display an ever-evolving botanical beauty. When planted in Crescent Garden’s light weight double-walled decorative containers, the Black Diamond® Crapemyrtle can grow for years and be easily transported indoors for the winter in zones 2-5,” says Barbara Wise of Crescent Garden and author, Container Gardening for All Seasons.
Reigning Now: Emerald Empire
In 2017, J. Berry released the first two introductions in a brand new line of green-leafed crapemyrtles, the Emerald Empire™ series.
Ruby Prince™ has deep green foliage draped with dramatic, dark pink blooms and a weeping habit. It’s a compact selection, growing to 3.5’ tall by 2.5’ wide. Plants have shown exceptional resistance to powdery mildew and cercospora leaf spot.
Garnet Queen™ is a regal small tree selection featuring dark burgundy stems, stunning, deep red blooms, and rich green foliage highlighted with dark venation. Also resistant to powdery mildew and cercospora leaf spot, Garnet Queen™ reaches a mature height and width of 10 to 12’ tall by 8’.
Garnet King™ and Amethyst King™ selections were created for large landscapes. Each selection has a 20’ tall mature height and a 20’ and 10’ canopy respectively. These varieties are draped with gorgeous blooms from early summer until first frost.
The Emerald Empire Collection breeding program promises the full color palette range of remarkable green-leafed crapemyrtles in each sub collection of Prince, Queen and King sizes for landscapers and gardeners to find the best Crapemyrtle to suit their space.
About J. Berry Nursery
In 2016, J. Berry Nursery celebrated its 10th Anniversary of “Discovering and Delivering Great Plants.” In addition to the Crapemyrtle series, J. Berry also offers the award-winning Hollywood Hibiscus™ series, Déjà Bloom® Azaleas, and more. To learn about J. Berry’s history and plant introductions, visit www.jberrynursery.com.
For more information on J. Berry Nursery contact:
Tamara Felux
800.933.3352
tamara@jberrynursery.com
www.jberrynursery.com.
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About Upshoot
UpShoot, LLC is a boutique horticulture marketing firm specializing in the sales, licensing and marketing of new plant introductions to North America, Canada, Europe and Australia. UpShoot also provides marketing services for gardening related products to both the trade and consumer audiences. For more information, contact Maria Zampini, President at 440-812-3249 or maria@upshoothort.com