Ornamental Plants Annual Reports and Research Reviews 2004

Special Circular 195

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Ohio State Learning Gardens
2004 Annual Flower Trials, Columbus Campus

Monica Kmetz-González and Claudio Pasian

In-Ground Trials

The 2004 season marked a year of continuing expansion for our trials. This was the first year our in-ground trials were conducted at a new site adjacent to our departmental buildings, in an area of high visibility on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University. The beds are all located in full sun. New ground has already been broken which will more than double our trial bed space for the 2005 season.

General Information

Seeded entries were sown at staggered dates in March to early April by David Cuthbert at Darby Creek Growers, Orient, Ohio, and grown on until they reached full plug size. They were then transplanted to 3.5-inch cell paks in our departmental greenhouses, along with the majority of the vegetative entries, in mid-April. Vegetative geranium entries were received on March 12 and transplanted to 4.5-inch pots on March 15.

All plants were transplanted outside to the trial beds between May 20 and May 24.

In general, 7 to 10 plants per cultivar were trialed on 1.5-foot centers. Spacing was varied as needed by species.

Watering and Fertilization

Plants were watered as needed by hose or overhead sprinkler.

Plants were fertilized at post-planting with Peters 20-10-20 at 200 PPM N via Dosatron. Fertilization was at weekly intervals for the first month, then at two- to three-week intervals through August.

Weather Conditions

The first weeks of the growing season were wet with lower-than-normal temperatures, so plants were slow to start. Intermittent periods of high heat and humidity kicked the plants into gear. Overall, it was a season of lower-than-normal temperatures and above-average rainfall.

Pest and Disease Problems

There were a few problems with root rot early in the season on a few susceptible species due to the cool, wet conditions. There were not any noticeable insect problems.

Evaluation Dates

Evaluations were performed on a monthly basis, beginning approximately one month after transplant. This year, plant characteristic ratings were performed on July 19, August 17, and September 16 by the Trials Coordinator and Trials Leader.

Evaluation Criteria

Ratings were based on a 1 to 5 scale:

1 = Poor/not acceptable

2 = Fair

3 = Good

4 = Very good

5 = Excellent.

Plants were evaluated for the following characteristics:

Flower Number: 1 = Low, 5 = Very floriferous

Flower Quality: Aesthetics, color, health, and appearance.

Foliage/Plant Vigor: Vegetative vigor, aesthetics/color, health, and appearance.

Plant Uniformity: 1 = Quality is variable from plant to plant; 5 = Similar quality between all plants.

Overall: Overall rating for all plants in the grouping, taking all the previous aspects into consideration.

(Only the data from the Overall ratings are presented here.)

Consumer Preference Evaluations

In addition, our Annuals Team of Master Gardeners (comprised of seven individuals this season) evaluated the entries at monthly intervals on July 27, August 17, and September 21. An Overall rating on a 1 to 5 scale (with 5 = excellent) was given per entry. This was conducted as a personal preference rating.

Results

Trial results are presented in the accompanying tables.

Table 1 - Consumer Preference Evaluation.

Table 2 - Evaluation of Plant Characteristics — Overall Rating.

Complete trial results, including photos, can be accessed on the web at: http://floriculture.osu.edu. Click on Cultivar Trials and follow the links.

The BEST of 2004

Top Overall Season Performers in our Plant Characteristic Evaluations.

The plants listed here received the highest overall season ratings (listed in order, with rankings between 5 to 4.58):

Coleus ‘Brown Sugar Drop’
Coleus ‘Chocolate Drop’
Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’
Scaevola ‘Whirlwind Blue Velvet’
Ageratum ‘Artist Blue’
Eragrostis ‘Elliottii Wind Dancer’
Mecardonia ‘Gold Flake’
Petunia ‘Supertunia Lavender Dawn’
Coleus ‘Strawberry Drop’
Phlox ‘J.P. White’

Also scoring very high (between 4.5 and 4.42) were:

Pentas ‘Graffiti Pink’
Petunia ‘Easy Wave Red’
Phlox ‘Intensia’ series (‘Lilac Rose,’ ‘Neon Pink,’ and ‘Lavender Glow’)
Vinca ‘Titan Blush’
Vinca ‘Titan Burgundy.’

Please note that many other entries performed very well in the trials. See Table 2. Entries with overall average ratings of 4.0 and above would be recommended for the Columbus, Ohio, area.

Top Performers in the Consumer Preference Evaluations:

In order, the Top 15 entries for the Overall Season, as rated by our Master Gardeners were:

Scaevola‘Whirlwind Blue Velvet’
Phlox ‘J.P. White’
Phlox ‘Intensia Lavender Glow’
Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’
Pentas ‘Graffiti Pink’
Pentas ‘Graffiti Violet’
Ageratum ‘Artist Blue’
Phlox ‘Intensia Neon Pink’
Angelonia ‘Angelface White’
Petunia ’Supertunia Lavender Dawn’
Bracteantha ‘Sundaze Flame’
Mecardonia ‘Gold Flake’
Phlox ‘Intensia Lilac Rose’
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’
Petunia ‘Dreams Sky Blue’

Top Picks by the Trial Coordinator:

These were nonstop performers in our trials this season:

• Ageratum ’Artist Blue’
• Coleus ‘Brown Sugar Drop’ and ‘Chocolate Drop’
• Coleus ‘Sedona’ (A very unique color and character in the landscape. This one did decline by September.)
• Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’ (A personal favorite. Nice light texture and was still performing in November).
• Mecardonia ‘Gold Flake’
• Petunia ‘Supertunia Lavender Dawn’ (This one just flowered nonstop.)

Acknowledgments

A big thanks goes to David Cuthbert of Darby Creek Growers, Orient, Ohio, for sowing and growing on the seeded entries for this year’s trial. We would like to acknowledge the help of our excellent Annuals Team of Master Gardeners — Caye Aiello, Joyce Gravlee, Ken Kotch, Kathy Krantz, Mary Straney, Juliet Taylor, and Bev Vogeley. Their hard work and dedication to this project is truly appreciated. Thanks also to Annette Duetz, Learning Gardens Supervisor, and David Snodgrass, Greenhouse Coordinator, for their expert assistance. And we thank the following companies for their participation in this year’s trials:

• Ball Seed Company
• Benary
• Fischer USA
• Panamerican Seeds
• Proven Winners
• Twyford International.

In-Ground Annual Trial Gardens Summer 2004, The Ohio State University Learning Gardens, Columbus, Ohio.

In-Ground Annual Trial Gardens Summer 2004, The Ohio State University Learning Gardens, Columbus, Ohio.

Monica Kmetz-González, The Ohio State University, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science; and Claudio Pasian, The Ohio State University, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.