3 Remarkable Plants We Discovered At Random

3 Remarkable Plants We Discovered At Random

People ask us all the time, "where do you get your plants." The answer for some of the varieties under the Monrovia label might surprise you. They're not created by skilled breeders who cross this plant with that plant to get something with superior traits. (Though this does happen, of course). Instead, some of your favorites were made by Mother Nature. She throws us a curveball now and then with plant mutations.

Here's the science: Plant mutations, known as sports, breaks, or chimeras, are naturally occurring genetic mutations. This results from a faulty chromosomal replication. This can change the appearance of the foliage, flowers, fruit or stems of any plant. They have no relation to the individual’s ancestry and the change can occur spontaneously.

And, here are the result: We can cultivate that mutation to make a new variation of the plant. These are just a few of the popular plants we grow that stemmed from a mutation.

The upshot? Be on the lookout in your own garden because you never know what Mother Nature is going to do!

Blue Enchantress® Hydrangea

This unique hydrangea was discovered by one of our employees in a garden in Southern California. A sport of Endless Summer hydrangea. Just one plant of the many of this variety that had been planted there mutated to produce ruby-black stems. Cuttings were taken and grown out to see if ruby-black stem would remain or revert back to it's original color. It stayed ruby-black and a killer new plant was born. The big brilliant-blue mophead flowers with ruby-black stems are long lasting and extraordinary in cut flower arrangements.

Pink-A-Boo® Camellia

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Pink-A-Boo® Camellia is another perfect example of a plant mutation. From bright-red flowered Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ comes this deep-pink variation. It's not only a different color, but has other interesting attributes. It was discovered by Monrovia Craftsman Brad Crocker on the grounds of Monrovia Nursery in Azusa, CA. Unique not just in color, the blooms of Pink-A-Boo® are larger and showier, having seven petals rather than five. They boast a remarkable, sweet fragrance.

Scallywagâ„¢ Holly

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Scallywag™ Holly is a meservae holly that was found in Oregon. It's as a sport of Little Rascal® Holly by Craftsman Nieves Garcia Coria. It is a more upright grower with shiny dark green foliage that turns purple-burgundy tone in fall and winter. Cold-hardy, low-maintenance, evergreen, with improved disease resistance. It pretty much goes with everything else in the garden. This one is a real problem solver for small spaces needing a solid, evergreen, structural shrub.

One More? Okay! Here You Go.

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Tango Twirl® Mandevilla was discovered in 2000 by legendary nurseryman Bruce Usrey at our Azusa, CA nursery. Found in a bed of Mandevilla amabilis 'Monite', an earlier exclusive introduction with single petal blooms. Nature went one better by producing a sport with delicate soft-pink, fully double flowers. These emerge in clusters throughout the summer. Each flower is an amazing arrangement of 18-20 petals twirling out from the center measuring three to four inches in diameter. Evergreen in frost-free regions; treat as a summer annual in cooler regions.

Like this kind of story and would enjoy learning more about the weird and wonderful here at Monrovia? Let me know in comments!

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2017-07-11 01:26:00
Linda Gartner
Wonderful and very informational article for the home gardener. Me! Keep them coming. Thank you.
reply Reply
Ada Perkins
I think I might have made a new color of elephant ear. I had black and green ones together a couple years ago and now have a plant that is black and green. I have never seen one in the stores. Can I trademark this plant?
reply Reply
Margaret Moor
Living in zone 5 and looking for 2dwarf holly bushes. The little rascal holly( male) looks perfect but the female blue hollies are good for zone 6 any other suggestions?
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Annettem
Do you have hydrangeas this time of year? Id like to find purple flowers?
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Ann Lloyd
Love it, I'm fascinated by sports. My Hydrangea has sent up a total different flower from the others. How can I find out if it's a new variety. I've always fancied a plant named after me for a legacy of my love of plants. Thank you
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