Polar Peach caught many of us by surprise this summer. You have to love the name of this new recipe from Proven Winners, particularly in a summer when it has been off the charts in the triple-digit category.

Polar Peach teaches us a lot about the use of Superbells Double calibrachoas as an ingredient. If it will work with the award-winning Superbells Double Amber, it will work with this year’s new Superbells Double Yellow and a host of new ones making their debut next year.

Superbells Double Amber is probably new to many of you. It may shock you to know it has won over 30 awards, including Perfect Score at Oregon State, Louisiana State, Oklahoma State and University of Minnesota.

But recipes have more ingredients, right?

In the Polar Peach recipe we saw in trials this year, Superbells was partnered with Superbena Sparkling Amethyst verbena and Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo petunia.

Superbena Sparkling Amethyst verbena and has also won multiple awards like Perfect Score LSU, Oregon State and Top Performer Mississippi State. Same for Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo, which has more perfect scores than the other two combined.

My real point is, the Superbells Double calibrachoas are incredible components in recipes, and especially so when you include them with other award-winners.

So now may I introduce you to the new Superbells Double Vintage Coral, making its debut in 2024. It may remind you of Double Amber, but with an antique coral instead.

When I got mine for trial, I had not yet seen the recipes using Superbells Double Amber. I combined it with Graceful Grasses' Queen Tut papyrus, Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo petunia and Diamond Snow euphorbia. It’s a real winner too, even for an amateur like The Garden Guy.

My favorite recipe Proven Winners is introducing with Superbells Double vintage Coral is called Sequoia. It partners Vintage Coral with Supertunia Vista Paradise and Diamond Frost euphorbia.

I promise that you will not have any problems creating your own designer-style containers.

Planting in containers with a very good potting soil is the way to go with Superbells, though if you can duplicate those conditions in your garden bed, you will garner the green thumb there too. Young’s Plant Farms in Auburn, Alabama, always amazes visitors at their annual garden tour with Superbells mass planted in raised beds.

Feeding with a dilute water-soluble fertilizer will keep you in good shape. I try to do this every two to three weeks. By all means, keep a pair of sharp scissors or pruners handy, and trim back as needed at the end of summer or anytime a bare or tired, unproductive branch develops.

I love Superbells, planting both in the spring and fall. I simply do not understand why our greenhouse growers are reluctant to produce them for garden centers to sell in the fall. Their cold tolerance is much greater than most realize. So, if you see them for sale in zone 8 and warmer, take advantage!

All my Superbells are putting on new growth and blooms as we head toward September. That they have survived this torrid summer that still has us in its grip is simply amazing. Get your bells on with the new Superbells Double calibrachoas coming your way!

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)

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