Plant Development Services set to show new releases at CAST 2025

Plant Development Services is set to debut a new collection at the 2025 California Spring Trials (CAST), March 25-28, 2025. This year's introductions hope to spark creativity and bring brilliant color innovations to tried-and-true landscape performers. With consumers embracing bold and imaginative design more than ever before, these new releases wish to allow individuals to express their personal style through vibrant colors, from a multi-hued Encore Azalea that would be right at home in a maximalist garden to a near-black loropetalum distinguished by its dramatically hued foliage.

Available through Encore Azalea:
Autumn Kiss Encore Azalea - A 2025 trade release showcasing color-changing blooms. Semi-double flowers feature vibrant pink edges fading to soft pastel and white centers, offering continuous spring, summer, and fall color against lush evergreen foliage. Thriving in full sun, USDA Zones 6-10, this 3-4' tall and wide azalea is ideal for specimen, hedge, or border plantings. Autumn Kiss will debut to the consumer market in 2026.

Autumn Kiss Encore Azalea

Available through Southern Living and Sunset Plant Collections:
Purple Charm Loropetalum - Adding depth and drama to the color story, this compact, low-maintenance shrub delivers year-round, deep purple foliage. Dense, near-black leaves form a rounded, 2-3' high, 3-4' wide shape, requiring minimal pruning. Spring brings spectacular red-fringed flowers for striking contrast. Ideal for specimen, border, or container plantings, Purple Charm™ thrives in full sun to part shade, USDA Zones 7-10, offering consistent bold color and texture for landscapes. Purple Charm will debut to trade in 2026.

Purple Charm Loropetalum

Blast from the Pastel Hydrangea delivers an enchanting spectacle of pure white, star-shaped blooms delicately brushed with unexpected yellow and pastel hues. For those who crave a touch of nostalgia with a modern twist, these unique, flower-filled panicles will evoke a sense of vintage charm while offering contemporary appeal. Its robust growth and soft blooms make it a standout choice for adding nuanced color to any landscape. This 4'x5' beauty thrives in Zones 5-9 in full sun to part shade spaces. Blast from the Pastel will debut to trade in 2026.

Hydrangea Blast from the Pastel

The California Spring Trials run from March 25th – 28th, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will be taking place at Santa Barbara Polo Club, 3300 Via Real, Carpinteria, CA 93013.