Ohio State University Extension Bulletin

Ornamental Plants Annual Reports and Research Reviews 2004

Special Circular 195


~ 25 ~

Ohio State University Extension
Gateway Learning Gardens 2004 Herbaceous
Ornamental Field Trial Results

Pamela J. Bennett

Introduction

Clark County Extension Master Gardener volunteers have evaluated annuals at the Clark County Extension office site in Springfield, Ohio, since 1995. The field trial plots are located in the Gateway Learning Gardens. Carolyn Allen and Barbara Brown are Master Gardener volunteer co-chairs of the project. The gardens are planted and maintained by volunteers. Some 40 volunteers work on this project, starting plugs and seeds in the greenhouse, and planting and weeding the plots.

The plots are typical of the west-central Ohio area — the soil is predominantly clay with a pH of 7.3. The current plots were established in the fall of 1996. The beds were tilled to a depth of 14”, and 2” of compost was added. Compost was added when new beds were established and replenished every three years; compost was last added to all beds in the fall of 2002. There is approximately 5,000 square feet of bed space in full sun and approximately 1,000 square feet in shade.

The selection of plants for trials in the garden varies from year to year. The selection is based on entries from seed companies, performance in prior years, current trends, and on industry recommendations. Results of performance for the plants are based on the data collected at the plots and reflect the growing conditions of 2004. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide growers, landscapers, and homeowners a guide for plant selection for Ohio.

Method

The plants were started from seeds, plugs, or cuttings at Ulery Greenhouse in Springfield, according to the recommended starting dates. They were planted in the plots on May 26, 2004. There were six plants of each variety in a row, spaced 1.5’ apart; and rows were spaced 2’ apart. Trailing or vining plants were spaced 2’ apart with 4’ between rows. Osmocote™ (14-14-14) was soil-incorporated prior to planting at the labeled rate. Beds were hand weeded as needed throughout the season.

Irrigation was applied during dry periods so that plants received at least 1" of water per week. (See the weather information section and Table 1 for details.) No additional applications of fertilizer were made. The plants were not deadheaded or pruned during the growing season. No insecticides or fungicides were applied. No mulch was used; volunteers weeded the plots as needed. Plants were grown in full sun, unless otherwise indicated. (Note, the plants in bold type in Table 2 were those in the shade house). The material for the shade house provided 75% shade.

Three people conducted visual evaluations in June, July, August, and September (2004 was the first year that September was added to the evaluation dates). The entire row was given a visual rating from 1 to 5. A rating of 5 was considered to be excellent, and a rating of 1 was considered poor.

If there were fewer than three plants remaining in one row at any time during the evaluation, the variety was dropped from the trials. The three individual evaluation ratings were averaged for the monthly rating figure. Then, the monthly evaluations (June-September) were averaged for the overall rating for each variety.

Weather Information

Precipitation for May was above average, while temperatures were slightly below normal. However, despite wet soil conditions during most of the month, the annuals were planted under good soil conditions. Temperatures were below normal in June, July, and August. There were no days above 90ºF this season, compared to three days above 90ºF last year and 30 days in 2002.

Supplemental irrigation was applied as needed in order to provide 1” of water per week. Weather conditions for this growing season as well as normal average temperatures and precipitation are shown in Table 1. Most plants were slow to establish after planting due to cool wet weather. In addition, some plants were lost due to too much rain.

Table 1. Weather Conditions for the 2004 Growing Season, Clark County.
TemperatureMayJuneJulyAugustSept.
Average high temperature F°76.879.982.580.476.6
Average low temperature F°55.7 58.861.457.452.8
Average temperature F°65.769.071.568.264.0
Normal average temperature F°61.370.373.872.065.2
Precipitation
Normal average rainfall (inches)4.594.164.083.502.99
Rainfall, 2004 (inches)7.083.504.473.001.00
Days over 90°F, 200400000


Results

The varieties in the Clark County 2004 field trials and their monthly ratings and overall rating are shown in Table 2. Varieties are listed in order from highest Overall Rating to lowest Overall Rating. A rating of 5 is the highest; a rating of 1 is the lowest. The plants listed in bold type are those varieties that were grown under the shade structure (75% shade cloth).

The supplier for each annual is listed in the table. The supplier key is at the end of the table. The plants are listed in order of Overall Rating from highest to lowest.

Table 2. Clark County 2004 Field Trial Ratings.
PlantSeriesCultivar NameSourceJuneJulyAugustSept.Overall Rating
PetuniaSurfinia®Baby PurpleJP4.675.005.005.004.92
PetuniaSupertunia® SilverPW4.335.005.005.004.83
PetuniaSurfinia®Baby White CompactJP4.335.005.005.004.83
EragrostisWind Dancer™PAS4.335.005.005.004.83
AgeratumArtist™Alto BluePW4.335.005.004.674.75
ColeusChocolate DropPW4.005.005.005.004.75
ColeusAuroraBlack CherryBFP4.005.005.005.004.75
EuphorbiaDiamond FrostPW4.005.005.005.004.75
ColeusStained GlassworksSwiss SunshinePE4.005.004.675.004.67
ColeusStained GlassworksKiwi FernPE4.005.005.004.674.67
ColeusBrown SugarPW4.005.005.004.674.67
ColeusAuroraPeachBFP4.005.005.004.674.67
ColeusKong™RoseBS4.005.005.004.674.67
PetuniaSupertunia®SilverPW4.005.005.004.674.67
AngeloniaAngelMist®Lavendar StripeBFP3.675.005.005.004.67
AngeloniaAngelMist®White ImprovedBFP3.675.005.005.004.67
PetuniaSurfinia®Lavendar LaceJP4.335.005.004.334.67
PetuniaSupertunia® BordeauxPW4.335.005.004.334.67
AngeloniaAngelface™Blue BicolorPW3.335.005.005.004.58
ColeusStained GlassworksTilt-A-WhirlPE4.005.004.674.674.58
ColeusSedonaPW4.005.005.004.334.58
ColeusKong™ScarletBS4.005.005.004.334.58
ColeusKong™RedBS4.005.005.004.334.58
PetuniaSurfinia®Sugar PlumJP3.675.005.004.674.58
CalibrachoaSuperbells®WhitePW3.675.004.674.674.50
ColeusStrawberry DropPW3.675.004.674.674.50
Dbl. ImpatiensFiesta™Sparkler CherryBFP4.005.005.004.004.50
Dbl. ImpatiensFiesta™ RoseBFP3.674.674.675.004.50
NG ImpatiensCelebretteLavendar BFP3.005.005.005.004.50
NG ImpatiensInfinity™PinkPW3.005.005.005.004.50
PetuniaSurfinia®Baby Purple CompactJP3.675.005.004.334.50
PetuniaSurfinia®Baby Blue CompactJP4.335.005.003.674.50
AgeratumArtist™PurplePW3.674.675.004.334.42
ColeusAuroraRaspberryBFP4.005.004.674.004.42
NG ImpatiensCelebrationRose StarBFP3.005.005.004.674.42
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Dark Salmon GlowPW3.004.675.005.004.42
VerbenaAztec®Red VelvetBFP4.004.674.674.334.42
Ageratum Exp. 0059-1PinkPE3.675.004.674.334.42
Angelonia Angelface™BluePW2.675.005.005.004.42
Dbl. ImpatiensFiesta™Salsa Red Imp.BFP4.004.335.004.334.42
MecardoniaGold Flake™ PW2.675.005.005.004.42
Tr. ImpatiensFanfare™OrangeBFP3.005.004.674.674.33
NG ImpatiensCelebrationDeep RedBFP2.675.005.004.674.33
NG ImpatiensCelebretteRedBFP3.005.005.004.334.33
PetuniaSurfinia®Rose VeinedJP3.675.005.003.674.33
LantanaLandmark™GoldBFP3.005.004.335.004.33
Ageratum Exp. 8501-5BurgundyPE4.004.335.003.674.25
AngeloniaAngelface™WhitePW4.004.334.674.004.25
Lobelia Laguna™Compact Blue/EyePW4.004.674.334.004.25
Tr. ImpatiensFanfare™BlushBFP3.674.674.674.004.25
Mini ImpatiensPixie™ Pink BicolorBFP4.333.675.004.004.25
NG ImpatiensCelebretteOrchidBFP3.005.004.674.334.25
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Orange FrostPW3.005.004.334.674.25
NG ImpatiensInfinity™LilacPW2.674.674.675.004.25
LantanaLandmark™Flame ImprovedBFP2.674.675.004.674.25
PhloxIntensia®Lilac RosePW4.335.004.333.334.25
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Dark PinkPW2.674.675.004.334.17
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Cherry RedPW3.334.674.674.004.17
NG ImpatiensInfinityScarlet PW3.004.005.004.674.17
PlectranthusSilver Shield™ PAS2.334.675.004.674.17
GeraniumShady LadyCherry RosePW3.004.674.674.334.17
AgeratumExp.8009-1WhitePE3.675.004.673.334.17
GeraniumFireworks™CherryPW3.675.003.674.334.17
BegoniaBabyWing PinkPAS1.674.675.005.004.08
GeraniumPink IllusionPW2.334.674.674.674.08
GaillardiaTorch™Red EmberBFP4.004.673.674.004.08
NemesiaAromatica™ Deep BlueBFP4.334.334.333.334.08
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Light PurplePW3.334.674.004.334.08
PhloxIntensia®Lavendar GlowPW4.334.674.003.334.08
GeraniumShady LadyRose PinkPW4.004.004.334.004.08
BrachyscomeBlue ZephyrPW4.005.004.672.334.00
NemesiaCompact Pink InnocensePW4.334.674.672.334.00
NG ImpatiensJavaWhite ImprovedPAS2.674.674.674.004.00
NG ImpatiensInfinity™WhitePW2.674.334.674.334.00
VerbenaTapiensLilacJP2.674.673.675.004.00
Mini ImpatiensPixie™ Double PurpleBFP3.674.334.333.674.00
PetuniaSurfinia®Patio BlueJP4.335.004.332.334.00
VincaPacificia PunchHaloPAS3.004.335.003.674.00
NG ImpatiensCelebrettePurple ImprovedBFP3.005.003.334.333.92
VerbenaAztec®Magic PurpleBFP2.674.334.004.673.92
PhloxIntensia®Neon PinkPW3.674.674.003.333.92
GeraniumShady LadyViolet RosePW2.674.334.674.003.92
BracteanthaSundaze™ FlamePW3.673.674.334.003.92
Dbl. ImpatiensFiesta™Purple PinataBFP3.67 .004.004.003.92
ToreniaCatalina™BluePW4.003.674.673.333.92
VincaPacificiaMagenta HaloPAS3.004.334.673.673.92
PetuniaRuffle™ Double Pink Imp. BFP4.334.333.673.333.92
Coreopsis grandifloraRising SunPAS3.004.674.003.673.83
Lobelia Laguna™Sky BluePW4.674.334.002.333.83
NG ImpatiensInfinity™RedPW3.334.004.333.673.83
ToreniaSummer Wave™AmethystPW3.334.004.004.003.83
PetuniaSurfinia® Patio YellowJP4.004.674.332.333.83
ToreniaSummer Wave™Lavendar BlueJP3.673.674.004.003.83
Satureja hybridPink SensationPW3.334.334.003.673.83
GeraniumShady LadyOrangePW2.673.674.674.333.83
Dbl. ImpatiensFiesta™ OléPurpleBFP3.333.674.004.003.75
Dbl. ImpatiensFiesta™ OléPeppermintBFP3.004.004.004.003.75
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Orange PW2.675.003.334.003.75
NG ImpatiensInfinity™LavendarPW3.334.003.674.003.75
NG ImpatiensInfinity™SalmonPW3.004.004.004.003.75
VerbenaTapiensLavendar PinkJP2.334.333.335.003.75
GeraniumBullsEyeScarletBS2.334.004.334.333.75
PetuniaDreamsBurgundy PicoteePAS2.334.674.333.673.75
GauraKaralee Petite PinkPW2.673.675.003.673.75
PetuniaEasy Wave™BluePAS1.004.334.674.673.67
PetuniaBravoAppleblossumSG3.334.004.003.333.67
GeraniumBullsEyeSalmonBS2.003.674.334.673.67
GauraBallerina™RoseBFP3.003.335.003.333.67
VerbenaAztec®Wild RoseBFP4.003.673.673.333.67
Morning glorySunrise SerenadeBS2.003.004.674.673.58
PetuniaSurfinia®Baby Pink CompactJP3.674.334.002.333.58
CalibrachoaSuperbells™Pastel PinkJP3.334.672.333.673.50
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Pink FrostPW2.673.673.674.003.50
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Blushing LilacPW3.004.003.673.333.50
NG ImpatiensInfinity™Pink KissPW3.674.003.333.003.50
ToreniaCatalina™PinkPW3.673.673.673.003.50
ThunbergiaSunny™Lemon StarBFP2.003.674.334.003.50
Verbena canadensisToronto Silver-PinkK2.674.333.333.333.42
PetuniaBravoBlue VeinedSG3.674.673.332.003.42
Stachys coccineaChinookK2.674.003.673.333.42
ScopariaMelongolly™ BluePW3.004.004.332.333.42
Achillea millefoliumSummer BerriesS1.673.674.004.333.42
ArgyranthemumButterfly™PW2.335.004.002.003.33
ArgyranthemumVanilla Butterfly™PW3.674.674.001.003.33
NemesiaSafariViolet RosePW3.334.674.001.333.33
PortulacaMargaritaPeppermintPAS2.674.674.331.673.33
ScaevolaWhirlwind™WhitePW2.333.003.004.673.25
PetuniaBravoPurple StarSG3.334.673.002.003.25
SnapdragonCrownVioletSG3.002.674.332.673.17
ToreniaCatalina™PurplePW3.003.333.332.673.08
ArgyranthemumSunlightPE3.673.672.672.003.00
NemesiaSunsatia™CoconutPW3.334.672.671.333.00
PetuniaDbl. Wave™PurpleBFP2.673.672.673.003.00
BracteanthaOutback WallabyOrange BlazePE2.673.003.672.673.00
ArgyranthemumMadeiraSan MartinoBFP2.003.002.674.002.92
Celosia plumosaExp. Ice CreamPeachK2.332.333.333.672.92
Delphinium grandiflorumAtlantic BlueS1.674.333.002.672.92
NemesiaSunsatia™ PeachPW2.673.004.002.002.92
PetuniaDbl. CascadeBluePAS2.333.673.002.672.92
CalibrachoaSuperbells®Light PinkPW2.003.673.332.332.83
Celosia plumosaExp. Ice CreamOrangeK3.002.673.002.672.83
PetuniaDbl. Wave™WhiteTW2.332.672.673.672.83
OenotheraLemon Drop™PW3.003.332.332.332.75
Phlox sp21st CenturyRose StarPAS2.003.673.002.332.75
PetuniaSurfinia®Patio WhiteJP3.004.003.670.002.67
Verbena x hybridaQuartzSilverPAS2.333.672.672.002.67
GeraniumBlack VelvetScarletS1.332.673.673.002.67
PetuniaSurfinia®Victorian CreamJP2.673.332.332.002.58
DianthusDynastyRose LaceBS2.674.331.671.332.50
DianthusGarden Spice®FuschiaTW3.335.001.330.002.42
Celosia plumosaExp. Ice CreamCherryK2.332.002.332.672.33
Celosia plumosaExp. Ice CreamMangoK2.672.672.331.672.33
BracteanthaDreamtime™Jumbo YellowBFP3.001.671.672.672.25
DianthusGarden Spice®RedTW3.674.001.33Dead2.25
DianthusGarden Spice®PinkTW3.334.001.33Dead2.17
SnapdragonCrownOrange BicolorSG3.002.002.331.332.17
CalibrachoaSuperbells® RedPW3.002.671.671.332.17
ViolaRockyLavendar BlushSG2.003.672.67Dead2.08
Celosia plumosaExp. Ice CreamBananaK1.672.332.002.002.00
Lavendula stoechasSancho PanzaS1.672.332.331.672.00
SnapdragonMontegoFire MixSG3.672.331.67Dead1.92
NemesiaSunsatia™BananaPW4.003.670.00Dead1.92
Celosia argenteaGlowPinkPAS2.332.331.671.001.83
ScaevolaWhirlwind™BluePW2.003.332.00Dead1.83
PetuniaSurfinia®Victorian PearlJP3.002.331.330.671.83
Lavendula stoechasPurple RibbonK1.672.001.671.671.75
ViolaRockyPure OrangeSG2.002.332.67Dead1.75
PetuniaSurfinia®Baby Yellow CompactJP1.001.331.673.001.75
SnapdragonMontegoBronzeSG2.672.001.670.671.75
ViolaRockyCream/Yellow EyeSG2.002.671.67Dead1.58
NemesiaSunsatia™LemonPW2.673.33Died after 2nd evaluation1.50
PhloxAstoriaCherry BlossomJP3.672.331.50
PetuniaSurfinia®RedJP2.003.331.33
DiasciaWhisper™Dark CoralBFP3.002.331.33
Rudbeckia hirtaMorenaK2.672.331.25
NemesiaSunsatia™CranberryPW2.671.671.08
PetuniaSurfinia®Patio Misty PinkJP1.672.331.00
CalibrachoaExp.Calib 1012Compact BluePE2.001.670.92
GypsophilaFestival StarPW2.001.670.92
PhloxAstoriaWhiteJP3.000.670.92
FeliciaPinwheelSnowBFP1.671.330.75
ArgyranthemumMadeiraSantanaBFP2.67Died after 1st evaluation.0.67
CalibrachoaSuperbells®BluePW2.330.58
ArgyranthemumTwinkleLavendarPE2.000.50
ArgyranthemumMadeiraMadelanaBFP2.000.50
CalibrachoaMillion Bells®Crackling FireJP2.000.50
CalibrachoaExp.Calib1013Compact WhitePE1.670.42
Celosia plumosaExp. Ice CreamStrawberryK1.670.42
ArgyranthemumMadeiraSao VincenteBFP1.330.33
ViolaRockyBlue w Purple WingSG0.331.00Died after 2nd evaluation.0.33
PenstemomLilliput RosePW.1.33Died after 1st evaluation0.33
ArgyranthemumMadeiraCamaraBFP1.000.25
CalibrachoaColorburstVioletPE1.000.25
CalibrachoaExp.1011Compact RosePE1.000.25
Lobularia maritimaAphroditeDark MixtureS1.000.25
ArgyranthemumCometPinkPEAll died due to wet conditions in the early part of the season. Were dead before the first evaluation.0.00
ArgyranthemumCometWhite Imp.PE0.00
GerberaSunburst®Hot PinkTW0.00
GerberaSunburst®OrangeTW0.00
CalibrachoaMillion Bells®Blush BlueJP0.00
CalibrachoaMillion Bells®Antique RoseJP0.00
Salvia roemerianaHot TrumpetsK0.00
OsteospermumSerenity™WhiteBFP0.00
OsteospermumSoprano™WhitePW0.00
OsteospermumSoprano™PurplePW0.00
OsteospermumSoprano™Light PurplePW0.00
Dorotheanthus bellidiformisGelatoFormula MixK0.00
NG = New Guinea Impatiens
Dbl = Double
Exp = Experimental
Tr = Trailing
Imp = Improved

Acknowledgment

Ohio State University Extension and the Clark County Master Gardener volunteers would like to thank the following for their support:

Clark County Engineers, Springfield Township, Clark County Fairgrounds staff, Clark County Commissioners, and the companies listed here who participated in the trials.

Suppliers:

BFP — Ball FloraPlant
http://ballhort.com

BS — BallSeed Company
http://ballhort.com

JP — Jackson & Perkins Wholesale
http://www.surfinia.com/

K — Kieft
http://www.kieftseeds.com/

PAS — PanAmerican Seed
http://www.panamseed.com/

PE — Paul Ecke
http://www.theflowerfields.com/FFA/

PW — Proven Winners
http://provenwinners.com/

S — Sahin
http://www.sahin.nl/

SG — Syngenta Seeds, Inc.
http://www.sg-flowers-us.com/

TW — Twyford International
http://twyford.com


Pamela J. Bennett, Ohio State University Extension, Horticulture, Clark County.


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