Field Trials report

Many of this year field trial managers and coordinators reported temperatures above normal, especially during August. Precipitation wasn’t as much of a concern, although some locations did report extremes with too much or too little rain. On the pest- and disease-control front, a number of trial sites reported problems with Japanese beetles.

CALIFORNIA
Syngenta Flowers, Gilroy
Planted: June 9
Weather conditions: Unpredictable weather, including inconsistent rainfall patterns from May to June, impacted field preparation and resulted in sub-par soil conditions. Cooler weather contributed to a longer and healthier life for most annuals.
Pest/disease outbreaks: Diabrotica undecimpunctata (cumber spotted beetle) on zinnia, salvia, and several other varieties. Bud worm was also a pest.

Best performers (seed varieties):
Begonia: Volumia Pink
Dianthus: Diabunda Pink Picotee and Venti Parfait
Marigold: Moonsong Deep Orange, Antigua Yellow and Antigua Orange
Petunia: Plush Lilac Pearl and Ramblin Violet Improved
Rudbeckia: TigerEye Gold
Verbena: Tuscany series
Vinca: Cora Burgundy
Zinnia: Magellan Persian Carpet Mix

Best performers (vegetative varieties):
Angelonia: Carita Raspberry
Calibrachoa: Callie Mango and Callie Rose
Geranium: Caliente Orange and Calliope Dark Red
Lantana: Bandana Lemon Zest
Petunia: Sanguna Lipstick and Picnic White
Scaevola: Bombay White
Verbena: Lanai Bright Eye

For more: Valerie Quintanilla, Syngenta Flowers Inc., (303) 516-4215; valerie.quintanilla@syngenta.com; www.syngentaflowers.com.



CANADA
University of Guelph, Guelph Turfgrass Institute, Guelph, Ontario
Planted: May 24
Weather conditions: Early summer warm and wet, late summer warm and dry.
Pest/disease problems: Usual problems of white mold, powdery mildew and aphids. For the first time they had damaging numbers of Japanese beetles.

Best performers:
Agastache: Bronze Foliage
Amaranthus: Mira
Cyperus: King Tut
Echinacea: Warm Color Shades and Razzmatazz
Eustoma: ABC 1-3 Misty Blue
Kniphofia: Peachy Cheeks
Lantana: Landmark Sunrise Rose; Perovskia atriplicifolia
Petunia: Supertunia Pretty Much Picasso
 
For more: Rodger Tschanz, (519) 824-4120; rtschanz@uoguelph.ca.

COLORADO
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Planted: Started May 27, finished June 18
Weather conditions: Cooler than normal June. Warm July and August with quite a few days over 90°F.

Best performers:
Bulbine: Yellow Compact
Calibrachoa: MiniFamous Compact Orange
Impatiens: Fiesta Purple
New Guinea impatiens: Super Sonic Magenta
Pennisetum: Vertigo
Petunia: Littletunia Sweet Pink
Rudbeckia: Denver Daisy
Zinnia: Zowie! Yellow Flame
 
For more: James Klett, (970) 491-7179; jim.klett@colostate.edu; www.flowertrials.colostate.edu.

GEORGIA
University of Georgia, Athens
Planted: Mid April to mid May
Weather conditions: From early June through September, the plants were subjected to 90°F+ and often 95°F+ with even higher heat indices. Sporadic rain fell, but irrigation was often required.
Pest/disease problems: Root rots in geraniums and vinca. Late in the season, the usual aphids, mites and caterpillars came calling.

Best performers:
Angelonia: Alonia Purple
Begonia: Super Olympia Pink Improved and Gryphon
Calibrachoa: Mini Famous Compact Saffron and Lindura Light Blue
Geranium: Caliente Orange
Impatiens: SunPatiens Compact White
Osteospermum: Crescendo Yellow; Portulaca; Pazazz Pink Glow
Scaevola: Outback Fan Dancer
 
For more: Meg Green, (706) 542-2471; http://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu.
 

ILLINOIS
Ball Horticultural Co., West Chicago
Planted: May 25–June 10
Weather conditions: Exceptionally hot and humid
Pest/disease problems: Japanese beetles

Best performers:
Angelonia: AngelMist Spreading Purple Improved
Begonia: Gryphon
Canna: Tropical Bronze Scarlet
Echinacea: PowWow Wild Berry
Impatiens: Impreza Cherry Splash, Impreza Pink Splash and Impreza Pink Spring Mix
Mecardonia: GoldDust
Nicotiana: Whisper Rose Shades
Petunia: Black Velvet and Wave Purple Improved
Zinnia: Zahara Fire

For more: Katie Rotella, Ball Horticultural Co., (630) 588-3296; krotella@ballhort.com; www.ballhort.com.

University of Illinois, Lemont
Planted: First week of June
Weather conditions: Weather this year was quite a bit different from last season when it rained a lot at one time (2-4 inches) and did this several times. There were many days over 90°F with very high humidity which took its toll on some species and some cultivars (zinnias especially).
Pest and disease problems: Japanese beetle infestations and Botrytis.

Best performers:
Gomphrena: All Around Purple
Begonia: Volumina Scarlet
Impatiens: Super Elfin XP Violet Starburst
Petunia: Picobella Rose, Plush Salmon, Hurrah Blue Veined and Rhythm and Blues
Vinca: Mediterranean XP Rose Halo
Zinnia: Uproar Rose and Zowie! Yellow Flame

For more: Greg Stack, University of Illinois Extension, (630) 685-2355; gstack@uiuc.edu; www.urbanext.illinois.edu/trialgarden.

KANSAS
Kansas State University, Olathe
Planted: May 24
Weather conditions: Cold, wet spring. In mid-June, temperatures rapidly increased and many plants suffered as their root systems could not adapt. Very hot temperatures (100°F+) in late July and August.
Pest/disease problems: Thrips outbreak early in the season that affected many varieties, but particularly angelonia and vinca.

Best performers:
Angelonia: AngelMist Spreading Purple Improved
Begonia: Sparkle Scarlet
Canna: Rosita
Mandevilla: SunParasol Giant
Mecardonia: GoldDust
Pennisetum: Jade Princess, Lancer and Vertigo
Portulaca: Pazazz Tangerine
Salvia: Sallyfun Blue Emotion

For more: Alan Stevens, Kansas State University, (913) 856-2335, Ext. 100; Alans@ksu.edu; www.prairiestarflowers.com.

LOUISIANA
LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station, Hammond
Planted: Late March through early May
Weather conditions: Very hot and dry late spring followed by above normal temperatures and above normal rainfall during June through August.
Pest/disease outbreaks: Minor root rots due to excessive rainfall

Best performers:
Acalypha: LaBamba
Echinacea: Green Jewel
Gomphrena: Audray series
Ipomoea: Goldfinger
Lavender: Silver Anouk
Melampodium: Casino Light Yellow
Pennisetum: Fireworks
Pepper (ornamental): Purple Flash
Verbena: Princess Dark Lavender
Zinnia: Double Zahara Fire

For more: Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter, (985) 543-4125; aowings@agcenter.lsu.edu; www.lsuagcenter.com.

MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Wellesley, Mass.
Planted: May 10.
Weather conditions: Mild early spring with heavy rains during late spring, Rain amount 4 inches below average during the summer. Vary hot sunny summer with 28 days over 90°F by early August.
Pest/disease outbreaks: Some early Botrytis and wilt that cleared up during the summer. More than usual Japanese beetle damage.

Best performers (12-inch pots):
Angelonia: Anglemist Spreading Purple, Angleface Blue, Pink Improved
Basil (lemon experimental): Garden Leader
Chrysocephalum: Silver Fox
Lobularia: Snow Princess
Nemesia: Sensation Lemon, Cranberry, White Improved
Pennisetum: Fireworks, Vertigo
Verbena: Aztec Blue Velvet, Superbenia Royal Chambray

Best performers (ground beds):
Cleome: Senorita Rosalita
Impatiens: Patchwork Pink Shades, Super Elfin XP Cherry Splash
Pennisetum: Vertigo
Petunia: Phantom, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, Shockwave White, Pretty Much Picasso
Stipa: Pony Tails
Vinca: Titan Dark Red

For more: David Fiske, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, dfiske@masshort.org; www.masshort.org.


MICHIGAN
Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens, East Lansing
Planted: May 17 through June 16
Weather conditions: Heavy rainfall in May and June. One storm in June had 70 mph winds. July was very dry and very hot. A lot of days in the high 80s and low 90s. Very little rainfall.
Pest/disease problems: In August started to see some mildew on plants including zinnias.

Best performers:
Acalypha: Tiki Island Sunrise
Angelonia: Angelface Blue Improved
Argyranthemum: Flutterby Yellow
Begonia: Solenia Salmon
Cleome: Senorita Rosalita
Gaillardia: Arizona Red Shades
Impatiens: SunPatiens Spreading Corona
Petunia: White Ray and Cascadias Violet Skirt
Verbena: Empress Dark Red
 
For more: Katie McCarver, (517) 355-5191 Ext. 1329; mccarve4@msu.edu; http://trialgardens.hrt.msu.edu.

C. Raker and Sons, Litchfield
Planted: Planting began after Memorial Day and finished by mid-June.
Weather conditions: June was warmer than normal and July was even hotter. Very humid days and nights.
Pest/disease problems: Thrips and aphids in the Calibrachoa baskets. Small population of Japanese beetles. A few harlequin bugs on the snapdragons. Also, had to do a few spot treatments for powdery mildew.

Best performers:
Acalypha: Copperhead
Begonia: Gryphon
Coleus: Smallwood Driveway; Cyperus papyrus
Gaillardia: Gallo series
Echinacea: PowWow Wild Berry
Geranium: Caliope Dark Red
Lobelia: Techno Heat Upright Light Blue
Nemesia: Confection White and Confection Pink
Sedum: Sea Urchin

For more: Steve Reed, C. Raker and Sons, (517) 542-4538; stevereed@raker.com; http://trialgardens.raker.com.

MINNESOTA
University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center , Morris
Planted: May 18-26
Weather conditions: The average temperature for May, June and July was slightly above normal. The average precipitation for those three months was down about ½ inch.

Best Performers:
Calibrachoa: Cabaret Mango Tango
Cleome: Senorita Rosalita
Impatiens: Super Elfin XP Violet Starburst
Lantana: Bandana Cherry Sunrise
Petunia: Shock Wave Coconut and Supertunia Vista Bubblegum
Pennisetum: Vertigo
Stipa: Pony Tails
Torenia: Summer Wave Large Blue
Verbena: Tamari Blue

For more: Steven Poppe, University of Minnesota, (320) 589-1711; poppesr@morris.umn.edu; http://wcroc.cfans.umn.edu.

MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi State University, Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, Crystal Springs
Planted: Mid-April to early May.
Weather conditions: Hot and dry summer.

Best performers:
Alternanthera: Brazilian Red Hot
Cleome: Senorita Rosalita
Euphorbia: White Manaus
Gomphrena: Audray Purple Red and Audray Bicolor Rose
Ipomoea: Sweet Caroline series and Illusion series
Lobularia: Snow Princess
New Guinea impatiens: SunPatiens Spreading Corona, Compact Blush Pink and Compact Deep Rose, Vigorous Lavender, Vigorous Coral, and Vigorous Orange;

For more: Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University, Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, (601) 892-3731; gb250@msstate.edu.

MISSOURI
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
Planted: May 12.
Weather conditions: Cool temperatures in May. Excessive hard rains throughout May and early June. Excessive heat in July with night temperatures of 70°F and long lasting heat of 90°F or higher.

Best performers:
Gomphrena: Las Vegas White
Impatiens: Fanfare Fuchsia Improved
Ipomoea: Sweetheart Purple
Mecardonia: GoldDust
Pennisetum: Vertigo
Petunia: Supertunia Indigo Charm and Supertunia Sangria
Vinca: Titan Apricot
Zinnia: Green Lime and Double Zahara Fire

For more: June Hutson, Missouri Botanical Garden, june.hutson@mobot.org; www.mobot.org.

Missouri State University, Springfield
Planted: Late May
Weather conditions: Above-normal temperatures, especially at night, wetter than usual, and high humidity.
Pest/disease problems: Verbena got hit hard by leafminers and then leafhoppers.

Best performers:
Angelonia: AngelMist Spreading Purple
Impatiens: Patchwork Pink Shades and Patchwork Peach Prism
Penstemon: Carillo Purple
Petunia: Wave Purple Improved and Black Velvet
Vinca: Pacifica XP Orange and Titan Dark Red
Zinnia: Double Zahara Fire and Double Zahara Cherry

For more: Clydette Michelle Alsup-Egbers, Missouri State University, William H. Darr School of Agriculture, clydettealsup@missouristate.edu; http://ag.missouristate.edu/Horticulture/Horticulture_Variety_Trial.htm.

NEW YORK
Cornell University, Ithaca
Planted: June 1
Weather conditions: June, July and August were warmer than usual with less precipitation.
Pest/disease problems: Some Botrytis and Japanese beetles.

Best performers:
Argyranthemum: Madeira Deep Pink Improved
Coleus: Spitfire
Cyperus: Baby Tut
Ipomoea: Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red
Pennisetum: Vertigo
Phlox: Intensia Blueberry
Petunia: Cascadias Nobel Blue and Rhythm and Blues
Verbena: Lanai Bright Eye
Zinnia: Double Zahara Fire

For more: Melissa J Kitchen, Cornell University, Department of Horticulture, (607) 280-4898; mjb239@cornell.edu.

Cornell University, Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center, Riverhead
Planted: First week of June.
Weather conditions: Nothing unusual, other than the extended hot and dry spells.

Best performers:
Angelonia: AngelMist Spreading Purple Improved
Bracteantha: Dreamtime Jumbo Light Pink
Ipomoea: Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Purple
Mecardonia: GoldDust
Pennisetum: Vertigo
Petunia: Littletunia Ultra Purple and Supertunia Indigo Charm
Salvia: Sallyfun Blue Emotion and Velocity Blue
Scaevola: Bombay White

For more: Nora Catlin, Cornell Cooperative Extension, (631) 727-7850, Ext. 214; njc23@cornell.edu; http://ccesuffolk.org.

NORTH CAROLINA
JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University, Raleigh
Planted: April 27, 2010
Weather conditions: This summer was very hot with 60+ days of temperatures at 90°F and above since June.
Pest/disease problems: Harlequin bugs on the cleome.

Best performers:
Alternanthera dentate: Little Ruby
Begonia: Million Kisses Romance
Geranium: Abigail
Pennisetum: Vertigo
Petunia: Picnic Rose and Picnic White, Supertunia Sangria Charm and Supertunia Vista Lavender Skies
Salvia: SallyFun Blue Emotion and Velocity Blue

For more: Bernadette Clark, North Carolina State University, Department of Horticultural Science, (919) 515-1213; bernadette_clark@ncsu.edu; www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum.

NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota State University, Fargo
Planted: May 27, June 1 and 2
Weather conditions: Warmer, more humid and wetter than average.

Best performers:
Laurentia: Avant-garde Blue and Avant-garde Pink
Marigold: Moonsong Deep Orange and Crush Pumpkin
Nicotiana: Baby Bella
Petunia: All of the petunias performed well.
Snapdragon: Twinny White
Talinum: Verde
Vinca: Pacifica Burgundy Halo and Cora Mix

For more: Barb Laschkewitsch, North Dakota State University, (701) 231-7484; Barbara.laschkewitsch@ndsu.edu; www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/plantsci/hortgardens/index.htm.

OHIO
Ohio State University Extension, Springfield
Planted: May 27
Weather conditions: Above normal temperatures and normal rain fall amounts, it’s was a very good growing season.
Pest/disease problems: Minor Japanese beetle feeding on ipomoea.

Best performers:
Euphorbia: Diamond Frost
Heliotropium: Simply Scentsational
Ipomoea: Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Bronze and Illusion Emerald Lace
Lobularia: Snow Princess
Pennisetum: Fireworks
Petunia: Supertunia Vista Silverberry, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and Supertunia Lavendar Skies
Zinnia: Zahara Scarlet

For more: Pamela Bennett, Ohio State University Extension, (937) 521-3868; bennett.27@cfaes.osu.edu; http://clark.osu.edu.

OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City
Planted: second week of May
Weather conditions: There was a generally favorable weather from late spring through early summer, which included some very generous rains. Midsummer became consistently very hot and dry with temperatures exceeding 100°F on many days.
Pest/disease problems: Phytophthora plagued some plantings. There were populations of leaf-chewing insects as well.

Best performers:
Echinacea: PowWow Wild Berry
Eucalyptus: Lemon Bush
Marigold: Moonsong Deep Orange
Melampodium: Casino Light Yellow
Petunia: Happy Pastel Pink and Opera Supreme Salmon
Rumex: ‘Bloody Dock’
Sanvitalia: Show Yellow
Vinca: Titan Dark Red
Zinnia: Double Zahara Fire

For more: Haldor Howard, Oklahoma State University, (405) 945-3357; hhaldor@osuokc.edu.


PENNSYLVANIA
Penn State University, SE Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Manheim
Planted: May 18-20
Weather conditions: Consistently high temperatures above 90°F with many days at or near 100°F. Little rain fell for weeks, then sudden downpours of 2-3 inches occurred along with winds exceeding 40 mph. Then it was back to the hot temperatures.
Pest/disease problems: During the hot temperatures in July, western flower thrips became a problem. Aphids were also a problem. Alternaria blight on petunia and calibrachoa.
Unusual occurrences: Deer feeding on ipomoea was corrected by erecting a 5-foot plastic netting fence around the plants and spraying with deer repellent.

Best performers:
Cuphea: Mellow Yellow
Echinacea: PowWow Wild Berry
Geranium: Savannah Hot Pink Sizzle and Moonlight Pink
Nemesia: Sunsatia Lemon Improved
Impatiens: SunPatiens Spreading Corona, SunPatiens Compact Blush Pink and Sunpatiens Compact White
Pennisetum: Jade Princess and Vertigo
Petunia: Littletunia Purple Blue
Portulaca: Pizzazz series (Jumbo White, Tangerine and Pink Glow)
 
For more: Alan H. Michael,  (717) 921-8803; www.trialgardenspsu.com.

TENNESSEE
University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Jackson
Planted: May 3-14 (in Knoxville – planting delayed in Jackson due to flooding)
Weather conditions: In Knoxville the weather was average during May, but extremely hot and dry June through August. The Jackson location experienced average temperatures with flooding (nearly 15 inches of precipitation) in May, with extremely hot temperatures during June through August.

Best performers:
Begonia: BIG Rose with Bronze Leaf
Bracteantha: Dreamtime Jumbo Light Pink
Calibrachoa: Superbells Blackberry Punch and Liberty Dark Blue
Coreopsis: Ruby Frost
Gomphrena: Audray Purple Red
Petunia: Black Velvet
Stipa: Pony Tails
Torenia: Summer Wave Large Blue
Vinca: Titan Apricot

For more: Beth Willis, University of Tennessee Gardens, (865) 974-2712; ewillis2@utk.edu; http://utgardens.tennessee.edu.

TEXAS
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Planted: Annuals planted May 27, perennials planted in 2009.
Weather conditions: April and May showed usual weather patterns, with temperatures in the mid 80s and the normal amount of rainfall. June arrived and temperatures started to rise to the mid 90s with very little rainfall. No rain in July and temperatures rose into the high 90s with little relief after sun set. Since August 1 temperatures were over 100°F degrees with no signs of rain or a break in temperature.

Best performers:
Alternanthera: Little Ruby
Echinacea: Hot Papaya
Euphorbia: White Manaus
Gerbera: Drakensberg Daisy series
Lobularia: Snow Princess
Penstemon: Red Riding Hood
Petunia: Soleil Purple
Rudbeckia: Denver Daisy
Salvia: Wendy’s Wish
Scaevola: Surdiva Blue 
 
For more: Jimmy Turner, (214) 515-6580; www.dallasplanttrials.org.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth
Planted: Varied with the plant
Weather conditions: In August 18 consecutive days over 100°F.

Best performers:
Buddleia: Lo & Behold Blue Chip
Canna: Ehemanii; Convolvulus sabatius
Dianella tasmanica: Variegata; Dyschoriste linearis
Echinacea: Double Delight
Pennisetum: Prince; Pycnanthemum muticum; Stemodia tomentosa
Verbena: Tiger Rose

For more: Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, (817) 871-7688; Kathleen.Cook@fortworthgov.org; www.fwbg.org.

Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Overton
Planted: late April through late May.
Weather conditions: One of the toughest trial seasons weather-wise in recent memory. May was warm and dry. June was hot with little rainfall until late in the month. Early July was hot, rainy and humid and then turned hot and dry. August had record heat with little rain, but high humidity prevailed. More weather information can be found at http://etweather.tamu.edu/datatable.
Pest/disease problems: Grasshopper damage was limited to a few entries. Root rot affected all of the impatiens by the end of the summer.

Best performers:
Coleus: Rebel Rouser
Euphorbia: White Manaus
Geranium: Caliente Coral
Gomphrena: Las Vegas series, Audray series and Fireworks
Hibiscus: Luau Pink Paki and Luau Mai Tai
Lantana: Bandana White and Lucky Pure Gold
Melampodium: Casino Light Yellow
Pennisetum: Princess Caroline and Princess Molly
Portulaca: Duet Rose N’ Yellow
Scaevola: Scala Blue

For more: Brent Pemberton, Texas AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University System, (903) 834-6191; b-pemberton@tamu.edu; http://overton.tamu.edu/flowers/index.htm.

WASHINGTON
The Plant Station, Castle Rock
Planted: May through June
Weather conditions: Extremely cold nights all summer (low temps mostly in the upper 40s). Spikes of 95°F+ in July and then again in August, otherwise, cool and moist.

Best performers:
Begonia: Bonfire Chocolate Pink and Bonfire Chocolate Red
Coleus: Rebel Rouser
Gerbera: Crazy Daisy Eyecatcher Mix
Lobelia: Techno Heat Violet
Osteospermum: Crescendo Yellow
Pansy: Plentifall White and Plentifall Purple Wing.
Petunia: Littletunia Bicolor Illusion and Whispers Lavender Eye
Ptilotus: Down Under

For more: Tonya Cole, WeHoP, (360) 344-3222; tonya@wehop.com; www.wehop.com.

WISCONSIN
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Planted: May 25–June 5
Weather conditions: By the second week of August had received over 30 inches of rain since April 1. Most of the rain occurred during June and July.
Pest/disease problems: White mold, Japanese beetles, Botrytis, leaf hoppers.

Best performers:
Carex: Amazon Mist and Red Rooster
Cyperus: King Tut
Coleus: Limon Blush
Mecardonia: GoldDust
Petunia: Sun Spun White, Supertunia Sangria Charm and Wave Purple Improved
Phlox: Intensia Blueberry
Vinca: Titan Apricot

For more: Judith Reith-Rozelle, University of Wisconsin-Madison, West Madison Agricultural Research Station, (608) 262-2257; jreithrozell@wisc.edu.