Breeder Profile: Richard Saul

ItSaul Plants was founded in 1998 by Bobby, Richard and Kathy Saul, Ozzie Johnson, and Karen Stever. It was created with a dual purpose: finding, breeding, and marketing unique new plants, as well as selling propagative material to Saul Nurseries, their wholesale production company which Bobby and and his brother, Richard Saul started in 1981. Richard runs an active breeding program while Ozzie travels extensively oversees looking for new plants.  Bobby promotes their new introductions with the help of his wife, Kathy, who takes beautiful photographs of the plants to use in promotion.

Over the past decade or more, Richard Saul has specialized in hybridizing Echinaceas.  As a result of his hard work and dedication, the company introduced the BIG SKY™ series of Echinaceas in fantastic colors like yellow, orange, magenta, and bicolors.  These hybrids are the result of crosses between E. purpurea and E. paradoxa.  They have inherited the dominant characteristics of E. purpurea, displaying fuller, toothed leaves and wider flower petals.  The blossoms have slightly reflexed petals and a sweet rose-like fragrance.  The plants are well-branched and are vigorous growers.  

Notable Introductions from Richard Saul Include:

Coreopsis 'Jethro Tull' PP18789

Echinacea 'Solar Flare' PP22133 — BIG SKY™ Series

Echinacea SUNDOWN™ — BIG SKY™ Series