Gardeners across the South can now add a nationally recognized color combo to their beds and containers. Proven Winners has named the new “Pebble Beach” mix the 2027 National Recipe of the Year. The recipe blends three award‑winning annuals that thrive in warm climates, making it an ideal choice for Texas and neighboring states.
What’s in the Pebble Beach mix?
The centerpiece is Superbena Sparkling Amethyst II verbena, a novelty variety praised for its purple, lavender, and white blooms. It has earned fifteen prestigious awards, including Director’s Select at Penn State and Best of the Breed at North Carolina State University’s JC Raulston Arboretum, as well as honors from Ohio State and Mississippi State universities. The plant reaches about 12 inches tall with a 30‑inch spread and attracts pollinators throughout its season.
Joining the verbena are two Supertunia petunias. The first, Supertunia Blue Tiara, is a vivid violet‑blue with a white center. Though a recent release, it has already collected accolades from the Boerner Botanical Garden in Wisconsin, the University of Florida, and a Perfect Score award from the University of Missouri. It grows to 12 inches tall and spreads roughly two feet, providing an eye‑catching display from the first bloom.
The second petunia, Supertunia Mini Vista White, offers a crisp white flower that ties the color scheme together. It has been recognized by institutions ranging from Canada to the University of Florida, including Director’s Select at Penn State and Perfect Score at Oklahoma State. Like its companion, it reaches 12 inches in height with a two‑foot spread.
Optional centerpiece
Proven Winners also suggests adding Angelface White III in the center of the arrangement. This taller variety climbs to 30 inches with an 18‑inch spread, creating a striking vertical accent that complements the white petunia.
Why it matters for local gardeners
All three plants are hardy perennials in USDA zones 8a‑11b, but they perform beautifully as annuals when planted in containers, hanging baskets, or border beds. Their proven track record of awards signals reliable performance, disease resistance, and strong pollinator appeal—key factors for Texas gardeners seeking low‑maintenance, high‑impact plantings.
Norman Winter, a horticulturist and author of “Tough‑as‑Nails Flowers for the South,” plans to showcase the Pebble Beach mix in his own garden once the Georgia heat subsides. He encourages fellow gardeners to try the recipe for fall, winter, and spring displays, noting its versatility across seasons.
For more planting tips and updates, follow Norman Winter on Facebook at NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
