Field trials report names best performers

Published October 07, 2009

While field trial sites in the South sizzled under temperatures of 100°F+, some locations in the Midwest, Northeast and Canada experienced unseasonably cool temperatures in May and June. And rain at some sites delayed plantings and allowed some diseases to flourish. Pest problems included Japanese beetles, aphids and thrips.

CALIFORNIA Field trial location: Syngenta Flowers, Gilroy Weather conditions: Growing season was much cooler than normal with little precipitation. Best performers: Begonia ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Volumia Scarlet’; Echinacea ‘Prairie Splendor’; Geranium ‘Pinto Red’; Laurentia ‘Starshine Blue’; Marigold ‘Lunacy’; Pepper (ornamental) ‘Explosive Ember’; Petunia ‘Plush Lilac Pearl’; Verbena ‘Obsession Pink’; Vinca ‘Sunstorm Light Blue.’ For more: Mark Haynie, mark.haynie@syngenta.com.	MISSOURI Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Weather conditions: June was very hot (97°F-100°F) with little rainfall. July was cooler than normal with higher that average rainfall. More than normal rainfall and cooler temperatures in July resulted in lush growth on most cultivars. Best performers: Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’; Ipomoea batatas Illusion Midnight Lace; Marigold (Tagetes erecta) Taishan Orange; Nierembergia Augusta Blue Skies; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Petunia Supertunia Vista Silverberry; Verbena Superbena Pink Parfait; Zinnia ‘Profusion Yellow’, ‘Zahara Fire’ and ‘Zowie Yellow Flame.’ For more: June Hutson, Missouri Botanical Garden, june.hutson@mobot.org; www.mobot.org.
CANADA Hole’s Greenhouses & Gardens Ltd., St. Albert, Alberta Weather conditions: Spring weather was unprecedented, very cold and very dry, which delayed transplanting outdoors. Frosts occurred over a month past the average last frost date. Many of the agricultural districts in central and northern Alberta have been declared drought disaster areas. August temperatures were average to cool. Many of the plants chosen for trialing this year are considered somewhat drought tolerant. Pest/disease outbreaks: Aphids and thrips have been particularly challenging. Grasshoppers showed up later in the summer, but it was too late in the year for them to do much damage. Unusual occurrences: Several violent thunderstorms with very strong winds called “plow winds” and large hail occurred in central Alberta. These would have wiped out the trials had one of these storms made a direct hit. Best performers: Chrysocephalum apiculatum Silver Fox; Coleus ‘Redhead’; Euphorbia ‘Breathless Blush’; Lantana Landmark Sunrise Rose Improved; Scaevola Blue Print. For more: Valerie Hole, Hole’s Greenhouses & Gardens Ltd. www.holesonline.com. Sawaya Garden Trials, Simcoe, Ontario Weather conditions: Rain, rain and more rain, and cooler temperatures than average. Unusual occurrences: Rain and wind storm provided the plant trials with a new test that had never occurred before. Best performers: Agastache ‘Purple Haze’; Begonia (Rieger) ‘Dragona’; Coreopsis ‘Corey Yellow’; Gaillardia aristata ‘Sunburst Scarlet Halo’; Geranium ‘Master Idol Orange’ and ‘Maverick Star’; Lavadula dentata ‘Serenity’; Lobularia Snow Princess; New Guinea impatiens Sunpatiens Vigorous Lavender; Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum; Viola ‘Velocity Mimosa Yellow’. For more: Mel Sawaya, Mel@focusgreenhousemanagement.com; www.sawayagardentrials.ca. Institut de technologie agroalimentaire, Jardin Daniel A. Séguin, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec Weather conditions: Cool nights in June and July and above normal rainfall in July. Hot temperatures in August. Pest/disease outbreaks: Botrytis during the rainy periods. Best performers: Canna ‘Orange Punch’; Coleus Mariposa; Gazania ‘Big Kiss Yellow Flame’; Geranium Caliente Pink; Gomphrena ‘Last Vegas Purple’ Lobelia Hot Water Blue Improved; Lobularia Snow Princess; Osteospermum ‘Voltage Yellow’; Petunia Supertunia Vista Silverberry; Phlox maculata Phloxy Lady Cherry Red; Scaevola: Surdiva Blue. For more: Claude Valleee, Institut de technologie agroalimentaire, Jardin Daniel A. Séguin, claude.vallee@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca; www.itasth.qc.ca/jardindas.	NEW YORK Cornell University, Bluegrass Lane Research Center, Ithaca Weather conditions: Exceptionally cool and rainy. Pest/disease outbreaks: Heavy outbreak of Botrytis on petunias and geraniums and Japanese beetles. Best performers: Lobelia Techno Heat Upright Light Blue and Electric Blue; Pennisetum ‘Jade Princess’ and Graceful Grasses ‘Rubrum’; Salvia ‘Velocity Blue’; Sanvitalia ‘Cuzco Yellow’; Zinnia: ‘Zahara Fire’. For more: Melissa J Kitchen, Cornell University, www.hortcornell.edu. Pennisetum 'Jade Princess' Cornell University Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center, Riverhead Weather conditions: Rain and cool temperatures. This season on Long Island, June was very wet, and the summer was cooler than usual. Diseases: The usual suspects. Powdery mildew on various plants, including verbena, calibrachoa, phlox and torenia. Root rot, mostly Thielaviopsis, on various calibrachoas. A couple of cases of Sclerotinia on petunia early in the season. Some Botrytis (stem cankers and flower blight) on various plants, particularly during wet weather. Insects: Only a late season flare up of thrips on a few calibrachoa plants. Best performers: Ageratum ‘Patina Purple’; Alternanthera ‘Royal Tapestry’; Lantana ‘Bandana Trailing Gold’; Lobularia Snow Princess; Petunia Cascadias Noble Blue, Littletunia Rose, Pretty Much Picasso, ‘Shock Wave Denim’ and Supertunia Lavender Skies; Sanvitalia Cuzco Yellow; Zinnia ‘Zahara Fire’. For more: Nora Catlin, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, njc23@cornell.edu. Lobularia Snow Princess
COLORADO Colorado State University, Fort Collins Weather conditions: Severe hail storm on June 7 severely damaged all geraniums and all petunias in ground beds. Two more hail storms occurred on June 10 and 22. Above average rainfall occurred in June and July with several major downpours. Pest/disease outbreaks: Some minor flea beetle infestation on cleome, gaura and oenthera. Unusual occurrences: Some minor theft of plants. Best performers: Ageratum ‘Patina Purple’; Alternanthera ‘Red Thread’; Begonia ‘Sparkle Scarlet’; Bracteantha ‘Strawburst Yellow’; Cleome Senorita Rosalita; Cyperus papyrus King Tut; Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and Vista Silverberry. For more: James E. Klett, Colorado State University, www.flowertrials.colostate.edu. Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunia Supertunia Vista Silverberry	OHIO Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Weather conditions: Average temperature from May through mid August was 73.8°F. Average weekly precipitation was 1½ inches. Columbus experienced a very mild summer with an adequate amount of rainfall. During August the weather turned hot and dry. Best performers: Coleus ‘Redhead’, ‘Trusty Rusty’, ‘Henna’ and ‘Mint Mocha’; New Guinea impatiens SunPatiens Vigorous Lavender and Vigorous Magenta; Petunia Petchoa SuperCal Neon Rose and Potunia Deep Purple and Neon; Vinca ‘Cora Lavender’. For more: Karin Noecker, Franklin Park Conservatory, www.fpconservatory.org. Ohio State University, Columbus Weather conditions: Planting conditions were initially very warm in late May and into late June. The average temperatures dropped to near record lows in July with daytime highs in the low 70s and nights in the low 50s. Rainfall was the slightly above normal, but occurred at regular intervals. Best performers: Coleus Versa Crimson Gold; Euphorbia White Manaus; Marigold Babuda Deep Gold and 45 Yellow; Pepper (ornamental) Purple Flash; Petunia Easy Wave Plum Vein, Jamboree Hot Pink, Petitunia Happy Dream, Sanguna Lipstick; Rudbeckia hirta ‘Denver Daisy’. For more: Bart Hayes, Ohio State University, hayes.238@osu.edu; wwwfloriculture.osu.edu. Ohio State University, Springfield Weather conditions: The weather was dry and warm in June and then exceptionally wet and cool in July. It was the second coolest July on record. August is started out cooler and with heavy dews. Pest/disease outbreaks: Japanese beetles were a minor problem. In August grasshoppers began to feed on plants with grass-like foliage. Many of the petunias avoided Botrytis problems, but some varieties weren’t so lucky. Unusual occurrences: The cool weather in July had an impact on growth. Many plants were much smaller than normal. Best performers: Cleome Senorita Rosalita; Cyperus involucratus ‘Baby Tut’; Cyperus papyrus ‘King Tut’; Euphorbia Breathless Blush and White and Diamond Frost; Gomprena ‘Fireworks’; Lobularia Snow Princess; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Petunia Supertunia Vista Silverberry and Supertunia Vista Bubblegum; Zinnia ‘Zahara Rose Startlight’. For more: Pamela Bennett, Ohio State University Extension, http://clark.osu.edu.
GEORGIA University of Georgia, Athens Weather conditions: Rainy spring, dry June and July, decent rains in August. Normal temperatures, if anything a little bit cooler, but plenty of days in the high 90s with high humidity. Pest/disease outbreaks: Pythium and Phythophthora, especially on the petunias and later on the osteospermums and argyrathemums. The university’s garden is sustainable so very little is done in the way of pest and disease control. However, plants were treated for Pythium. Best performers: Begonia ‘Solenia Salmon Coral’; Calibrachoa Mini Famous Double Yellow; Geranium Caliente series; Lobularia Snow Princess; New Guinea impatiens SunPatiens Spreading Salmon; Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’, ‘Jade Princess’ and ‘Princess Caroline’; Petunia Petitunia Rim Purple Dream; Rudbeckia hirta ‘Denver Daisy’; Vinca Cora Cascade series. For more: Allan Armitage, University of Georgia, armitage@uga.edu; http://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu.	OKLAHOMA Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City Weather conditions: The weather was mild in May. Temperatures were extremely hot in June. July had a mix of heat and a few milder days with some rain. Pest/disease outbreaks: Phytophthora was a problem on petunias. ‘Ramblin Pink’ petunia showed exceptional resistance to the disease. Best performers: Celosia ‘Fresh Look Red’; Dianthus ‘Bouquet Rose Magic’; Gomphrena ‘Las Vegas Purple’; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Petunia ‘Ramblin’ Pink’ and ‘Debonair Dusty Rose’; Rudbeckia hirta ‘Denver Daisy’; Sutera cordata (bacopa) ‘Party Dark Coral’; Vinca ‘Pacifica XP Cranberry’; Zinnia ‘Zahara Double Orange’. For more: Haldor Howard, Oklahoma State University, hhaldor@osuokc.edu.
LOUISIANA LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station, Hammond, La. Weather conditions: It was a dry year until rains occurred in July. Only 19.6 inches of rain fell from January through July compared with the average January through July rainfall of 32 inches. Best performers: Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita’; Coleus ‘Trusty Rusty’; Euphorbia ‘Breathless Blush’; Gaillardia ‘Mesa Yellow’ and Sunburst series; Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’; Ipomoea Illusion series; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Pepper (ornamental) ‘Purple Flash’; Rudbeckia ‘Early Bird Gold’. 2009 People’s Choice Awards from Landscape Horticulture Field Day: Gold Medal: Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Silver Medal: Zinnia ‘Profusion Double Fire’; Bronze Medal: Pepper ‘Purple Flash’. For more: Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter, aowings@agcenter.lsu.edu; www.lsuagcenter.com\hammond.	PENNSYLVANIA Penn State University Southeast Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Manheim (Landisville Trial) Weather conditions: One of coldest Julys on record and wet. Pest/disease outbreaks: Western flower thrips were a problem on calibrachoa; two spotted spider mites on geraniums and lobelia; Botrytis on geraniums; bacteria wilt on begonias and fusarium stem rot on osteospermum. Best performers: Calibrachoa ‘MiniFamous Double Amethyst’; Euphorbia ‘Breathless Blush’; Gaillardia ‘Fanfare ’ and ‘Mesa Yellow’; Ipomoea Illusion Emerald Lace; New Guinea impatiens Divine Lavender, Orange and Pink and Sunpatiens Spreading Salmon; Rudbeckia ‘Tiger Eye Gold’; Torenia ‘Rosy Cheek Moon’ and ‘Catalina Blue’; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Vinca ‘Sun Storm White with Eye’. For more: Alan H. Michael, Penn State Extension at Dauphin County, www.trialgardenspsu.com.
KANSAS Kansas State University Horticulture Research and Extension Center, Olathe Weather conditions: It was a relatively cool and wet season. Saturated soil impeded the growth of some trial plants, but it was a good test to see what cultivars withstood a change in weather from the usual hot, dry summers. Several severe rainstorms dumped a lot of water in a short amount of time. Pest/disease outbreaks: Thrips were present on certain species (vinca, celosia, basil) early in the growing season. After one pesticide application the plants fully recovered. Best performers: Basil ‘Boxwood’; Begonia ‘Dragon Wing Red’; Colocasia ‘Coffee Cups’; Hibiscus acetosella ‘Maple Sugar’; Lobularia Snow Princess; Pennisetum setaceum ‘Red Riding Hood’; Rudbeckia ‘Tiger Eye Gold’; Talinum paniculatum ‘Verde’; Verbena Superbena Coral Red Improved; Zinnia ‘Zahara Yellow’. For more: Alan Stevens, Kansas State University; alans@ksu.edu ; www.prairiestarflowers.com.	TENNESSEE University of Tennessee Gardens, two locations Knoxville and Jackson Weather conditions: Much more “normal” than the two previous years, when extremely hot and dry conditions occurred. Fairly mild and consistent temperatures with adequate rainfall during May, June and July. Best performers: Ageratum Patina Delft; Begonia x benariensis ‘Big Rose with Bronze Leaf’; Calibrachoa ‘Liberty Hot Pink’; Cyperus papyrus ‘King Tut’; Geranium Caliente Hot Coral; Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’; Impatiens walleriana Silhouette Rose; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum; Rudbeckia hirta ‘Denver Daisy’. For more: Beth Willis, University of Tennessee Gardens, http://utgardens.tennessee.edu. Begonia 'Big Rose with Bronze Leaf'
MICHIGAN Michigan State University, East Lansing Weather conditions: This summer was particularly cool and moist, which was great for osteospermums and other cool-season crops, but slowed a few warm-season plants like tomatoes and bananas. Still, many plants that are considered warm season plants have done just fine, including ipomoea and colocasia. Best performers: Coleus ‘Redhead’ and ‘Henna’; Dianthus ‘Elegance White’; Heliopsis ‘Tuscan Sun’; Latuca sativa ‘Garden Leader Gourmet Green Romaine’; Lobularia Snow Princess; Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’; Ipomoea ‘Chillin Blackberry Heart’; Petunia ‘Sophistica Lime BiColor’, ‘Shock Wave Denim’, ‘Lavender Sky’ and Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and Vista Silverberry.; Rudbeckia hirta ‘Denver Daisy’; Trachelium ‘Garden Leader Purple’. For more: Art Cameron, Michigan State University, cameron@msu.edu. C. Raker and Sons Inc., Litchfield Weather conditions: Summer temperatures were a few degrees below normal. June through August precipitation was also below normal. Pest/disease outbreaks: The trials experienced a severe Japanese beetle infestation. In early July the beetles attacked the petunias and there was not a single flower on over 300 baskets. Raker’s growers eradicated the beetle population and the petunias recovered nicely by mid-July. A downy mildew outbreak was also suspected on the coleus trial. Best performers: Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Butterfly’; Begonia Volumia series, especially Pink; Coleus ‘Henna’ and ‘Walter Turner’; Diascia Darla series, especially Light Pink; Euphorbia ‘Hip Hop’; Gaura lindheimerii ‘Belleza Light Pink’; Ipomoea batatas ‘Chihuahua’; Petunia Petchoa SuperCal Neon Rose and Soleil Purple; Rudbeckia hirta ‘Tiger Eye Gold’. For more: Steve Reed, C. Raker and Sons, www.raker.com. Rudbeckia hirta 'Tiger Eye Gold'	TEXAS Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Dallas Weather conditions: All plants were planted in full sun. As usual, the arboretum experienced an interesting mix of weather this spring. The only thing consistent about the climate is its changeability. Early on there were flooding rains of 6+ inches in a day, followed by temperatures in the high 90s to the 100s with humidity in the upper 80s. This was followed by three weeks of temperatures of 102 degrees followed by a week and a half of temperatures in the mid 80s with about 10 inches of rainfall during that period of time. Temperatures in August returned to the 100s. Best performers: Coleus ‘Royal Glissade’; Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’ (planted spring 2008); Euphorbia ‘White Manaus’; Geranium‘ Cascade White Compact’ and ‘Angel Eyes Orange’; Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’; Laurentina ‘Beth’s Blue’; Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’; Penstemon ‘Lilac Beauty’ (planted spring 2008); Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’; Zinnia ‘Aztec Sunset’. For more: Jenny Wegley, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, jwegley@dallasarboretum.org; www.dallasplanttrials.org. Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth Weather conditions: Mild winter and spring. Rain in July, which was a good thing. Best performers: Canna iridiflora ‘Ehemannii’; Dyschoriste linearis (snake herb); Pycnanthemum muticum (mountain mint); Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ and ‘Orange Door’; Verbena rigida (sandpaper verbena). For more: Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Kathleen.Cook@fortworthgov.org; www.fwbg.org Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Overton Weather conditions: Weather was mild during planting. June weather became very hot and dry with many days over 100°F. Temperatures moderated in mid July with significant rainfall. Early August saw the return to very hot conditions. Best performers: Coleus ‘Redhead’; Euphorbia Breathless series; Gomphrena Las Vegas series; Lantana ‘Bandana Lemon Zest’ and ‘Landmark Sunrise Rose Improved’; Lobularia Snow Princess; Marigold ‘Taishan Gold’; Petunia ‘Cadenza Rose Red’; Talinum paniculatum ‘Verde’; Verbena Lanai Bright Eye and ‘Superbena Coral Red Improved’. For more: Brent Pemberton, Texas AgriLife Research, http://overton.tamu.edu/flowers.
MISSISSIPPI Mississippi State University, Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, Crystal Springs Weather conditions: Hot and dry summer. Best performers: Acalypha wilkesiana ‘Showtime’; Alternanthera dentata ‘Brazilian Red Hots’; Begonia ‘Volumia Light Pink’; Bulbine frutescens ‘Orange’; Cleome Senorita Rosalita; Euphorbia ‘White Manaus’; Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’; Ipomoea batatas ‘Sidekick Black’; Lobularia Snow Princess; Pennisetum setaceum Graceful Grasses ‘Rubrum’. For more: Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University, gb250@msstate.edu.	WASHINGTON Castle Rock, WA Weather conditions: Thunder storms and hail; over 13 days of 90°F+, four days over 100°F topping out at 107 F. These temperatures are atypical of the Pacific Northwest. Pest/disease outbreaks: Slight slug damage on dahlias. Best performers: Begonia boliviensis ‘Sparkle Salmon’; Calibrachoa MiniFamous Double series; Dahlia Dalina Grande series; Diascia Flirtation Orange and Dew Drops; Laurentia Starshine Blue; Lobularia Snow Princess; Oxalis ‘Pink Pillow’; Petunia Whispers Amethyst, SweetSunshine Burgundy and Picnic series (not Red). For more: Tonya Cole, WeHoP, www.wehop.com.