Availability (Liners? Containers? Sizes?):
72 cell liners
Softwood cuttings available in 4-in. containers
Grafted liners available in #1 containers
Unrooted cuttings

Origin or provenance (Discovered or hybridized? Where? By whom?)
Discovered as a branch sport from Alpha by Dr. Gary Smith.
Bred by Dr. Gary Smith, University of USA in 2001. Controlled cross of Alpha x Omega.
Originated at XYZ Nursery, the result of an ongoing breeding program.
Discovered as a chance seedling of Alpha in Germany.

Ornamental features:
Provides three seasons of interest in the landscape. Leaves emerge with pink overtones in spring, hold their strong blue color throughout the summer and provide exceptional orange/red fall color.
Reliable pink color that does not revert to blue regardless of soil pH.
Variegated white and green leaves with highlights of pink when planted in full sun.
Dwarf form only reaching 18 inches.
Weeping form with outstanding blue color.

How plant differs from species/other cultivars:
Unlike other blue foliage form, this plant has more vigorous constitution and is superior in both adaptability as well as heat and cold tolerance.
Dwarf compact nature, foliage is an attractive bluish-green color and the plant is extraordinarily floriferous.
Higher resistance to mildew and larger flower than other forms.
Proven hardy in the Northwest. Fruit ripens on one year-old plants.
Unique markings resembling cat-like whiskers. Pinching is not needed during propagation because they are naturally branching.

Best use in the landscape:
Mass planted in beds or used in containers.
Uses abound as a foundation plant, planted in groupings in a perennial border or as a featured understory shrub along a woodland border. Makes an excellent foil in the foreground for yellow foliage plants.
Mixed containers, perennial borders or in rockery gardens.
Upright habit and uniform branching make this an excellent street tree.
Excellent in mass plantings or as accent plants. Flowers are great for fresh or dried arrangements.

Habit and growth rate (including mature height and width):
Best described as a colonizing shrub, forming a dense network of slender, angular stems. It is a fairly upright grower that broadens with age; eventually it will attain a height of 5-6 feet with similar width and is easily maintained in check by proper pruning.
Compact habit, spreading slowly to form modest clump. Mature height is 12-15"; spread is 18".

Cultural requirements:
Shrub is easily maintained requiring little pruning to maintain shape. They are readily transplanted when moved from a container, or as B & B plants. Performance is optimized in somewhat acid soils with good moisture and adequate drainage. Tolerates both full sun and partial shade; the former setting provides a denser plant with slightly better flower display.
Full sun with average soils. Follow regular watering schedule the first growing season to establish a strong root system; drought tolerant once established.