RESEARCH 1TI RNR SERYMN H-eryP. Orr, Kenneth C., Sancderson, Fred P. Perry, Jr., W-illi s C. Martin, Jr ., and Errol J . Donovan Horticulture Series No . 7 AGRICULTURAL EXPERhiNT STATION OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY E.V Smith , Director Auut16AbunAlam August 1,066 Auburn, Alabama RESEARCH RESULTS FOR NURSERYIIEN 1966 1C. SURVIVL GROWTH WOODYJ00D ORNJI NTAS ALONI~G RODSIDE The Horticulture Department, Auburn University Agriculture Experiment Station in conjunction with the Alabama Highway Department and the Bureau of Public Roads, United States Department of Commerce, initiated a study in April 1963 to determine the method of establishing and adaptability of woody plants on roadsides. Detailed results giving all plants and - procedures used are reported in the Alabama Highway Research HPR Report No. 13, 1965. Plantings were made on undisturbed rightemof--way, on large cuts, on small cuts, and on fills. The plantings were made in January, February, and Iarch 1964. Sixty species of shrubs and small trees were planted on undisturbed righto-of-ways at three locations. Per cent survival and rate of growth were recorded for each species. The data indicate that 4a rnilora (Glossy Abelia), Elae ffnus puens (Thorny Elaeagnus),Foyjaant edia (Border Forsythias), hia susens (WeepingForsythia viridissa. (Greenstem strum lucidum (Glossy Prive), Lonicera maack (Amur Honeysuckle), Photinia ser (Birmingham Fraser Photiia), Phjotinia labra (Japanese Photinia37hotinia villosa (Oriental Photinia), Pyracantha crenata s e rata (Yunnan Chinese Pyracantha), Roia seudoacaia Black Locut Rossa hu ois (Father Hugo Rose) and t auscastus (Lilac Ohastetree are excellent plants for roadside usage. The per cent survival for these species ranged from 85 to 100 per cent. Twenty species of woody and herbaceous ornamentals were evaluated for use on large cuts. A total of 240 plants of each species was planted in January and February of 1964. The outstanding plants in this study are Jun er j einss r ni (Sargent Chinese Juniper), Juipeu conf erta (Shore Juniper), ux usabna luianc (Vonehron Portuguese Savin Juniper), Lonicera iaponica halliana (Halls Japanese Honeysuckle), Lonicera hekrt (.Everblooming Honeysuckle), Robinia hispida (Roseacacia Locst) Rsa u s (Father Hugo Rose), and Rosa w jcuraiana (iWichura Rose). Survival of these plants was excellentT 85-f 100 per cent) with the exception of Robinia his ida which had a survival of 66 per cent. This plant did not survive in excessively wet areas at bottom of the cut, but it was very vigorous and suckered freely at the top of cut. Tientymeight species of woody and herbaceous ornamentals were e vlu.atedfonr useonn fills. A.total of 1 4lans f ach seiswas 2 Seventeen species of vines, ground covers, and herbaceous perennials were evaluated for use on small cuts. Survival, vigor, and rate of growth of these species were excellent. The outstanding species were Celastrus orbiculata (Oriental Bittersweet), Lonicera ha n (Halls Japanese Honeysuckle), Lonicera heckrotF (verblooming Hone-- suckle), Lonicera s ervirens (Trmpet Honesuckle), us colratus Piu~rplteaf Wintercreeper Buonymus , and Hemerocallis sp. (DaySiLy). Survival percentages of these species ranged from 95 to 100 per cent. Five species, selected from 1964 observations, (Qarus cula, J~upe s conferta, Ju 4gers hors. nta -and Rosa r osawtereplanted along a fill in February 1965. Ninety-si per cent of these plants (120 of each species) survived. Their vigor and rate of cover were excellent. ?atus orbiculata was the best plant in this test, and it appears to be quite adaptable to roadside conditions. The choice of shrubs, vines, and small trees included a few native species. Most of the species chosen were introduced plants that had landscape characteristics that would be valuable in roadside landscape and for erosion control. Much is already known about the use and value of adaptable woody plants native to Alabama.Cornusfgrda (Flowering Dogwood), Cercis canadensis (eastern Redbud), rea ejfb'a (Oak. leaf Hydrangea), hs sp. Sumacs), Gelsemiums (Carolina Jessamine), NYT12ca cerifera (Southern and many other native have been used widely. Others, less knoiwn, but more specific to the flora of Alabama, such as Croto ensi.s, (Alabama Croton). sia alabamensis (Srowwreath), .?jomerps orbi u~au (Indian Currant CoThiberry, and Diervilla sessilifolia (Southern Bush Honeysuckle), will be used in later studies as stock is multiplied. Control: ff' weeds around the plantings is one of the major problems encountered. Hand hoeing is too costly and mowing is practically impos sible . Use of selective herbicides soon after planting seems to be the most practical solution. Four herbicides -- Azak, Casoron, Dacthal, and Herban ow were evaluated for use in July 1965. Of these four, Herban 6 lb./A., Casoron 8 lb./A., and 4 lb./A. were effective in controlling a broad spectrum of weeds. Dacthal at 10 lb. /A. was also effective in controlling weeds, but it was not as effective as Herban and Casoron . Azak 20 lb./A. controlled crabgrass but it did not control any other weeds. This 3-year project terminate June 30, 1966. The following con- 1. Abe].za_ randi~flora , r a znzs pis n, Fosti ~n reaa Fosyh~_sus ensa, Fsi .ka virdis sj ., als p. llr Mlu sp. ' Ho ;,a ,eustrum lucifun, Loni~iera maacl3. htxi rsr. hiio a gabra Photinia vil.lp.os, ntvrcanthaceaa~ert, oinh pseudoacaciaR, osa Iju and 3'x Vcastus are suitabl.e for planting on undisturbed rights-of-way. The per cent survival of these species range from 85 to 100 per cent, and they remained relatively free of insects and diseases. 2. Of the 20 species of plants tested on the large cut, uons fortune coloratts, Hemerocallis sp., Jungp s insiss , Ju spes conferta, Juni~eru sabina ' nan ', Lonicera j c haliana, Lonicera heckrotti, Robinia ijda, Rosa honis, and Rosa i churaiana are suitable for planting on cuts. Survival of these species is excellent (85 to 100 per cent) wth the exception of Robinia his ida. 3. Juniperus conferta, Junierus sabina lus ca'Vonehron, bis4da, and Rosa wichuraiana are excellent for erosion control. 4. Jasrinum floridum, a4nu f h a s rugosa, and Vica ma or performed poorly in excessively wet areas; therefore, their use in such areas should be avoided. Of the 27 species planted along the fillu eush?nsis sa en Junipeus consta, Junieus h ntalslumosa, Sabna tusi cani c '9Vonehron', Lonicera hecRosahugonis, ruosa, and Rosa ichurajana are suitable for planting along the fill. Survival of those species range from 75 to 98 per cent. 6. onicra heckrotti., Rasa ndh,,2, , ,nana performed better on the fill than on the large cut. 7. The shallow rooted ground covers and vines were not suitable for planting on the large cut or fill because they could not compete i th grass or weeds for nutrients and mois ture . 8. Of the 18 species of vines and ground covers tested on the sall cut, Celatru jculata, L~c jecrtti , Lorce j n4ca h..aa Lox.cra mp .eveuon mus runico atus, and Hmeoci~ is sp. are most adaptable to the cut. The survival of these plants range from 95 to 100 per cent. 1. Hlardoot ctns of Celastrus rbcuat, uxtru s onfrbiculata, and 11. Herban 6 lb./A. actual, and Casoron at 4 and 8 lb./A. controlled a broad spectrw of broadleaf and narrowleaf weeds ithout any phytotoxicity to the ornamental plants. 12, Mow ing or bush hogging ground covers and woody vines did not effect plant survival, but did significantly reduce amount and rate of cover. 13. Grasshoppers that feed on crimson clover in early spring attack ornamental plants after the clover dies in mid-May. Therefore, at least one insecticide application should be made to minimize damage. II . GARDE~N CHRYSANTMMS Twenty--eight varieties were planted as rooted cuttings, one per 4- inch pot, on June 3 and transplanted in beds in the garden on July 2. Records were taken on date of full flower, height, spread. The following varieties (height x spread) were most outstanding Raggedy Ann (214' x 1611) , Golden Fantasy (17" x 15" ), Pinknificent (23" x 16"),.1 Milionaire (22" x 20"1), Rosey Nook (1911 x 18"), Sleigh Ride (14" x 16"), Newgo (13", x 1611), Dan Foley (18." x 22" ) , Mango (18" x 17") , Marbletop (16'f x 22") , Spark- ling (214" x 20'). The following is a listing of choice varieties selected study: from a 5-year variety Corsage Cushion Sleigh Ride Marbletop Chris C olumbus Kings Ransom Golden Fantasy Yellow Chris Columbus Peking Tranquility N e g oSu k oDo l l i - e t t e Cochi s e Rambler Falcon Champion Cushion Ruby Mound Red Mschieof Ann Ladygo Li j Comet L lann Pink Mischief Del #~2 Fuschia Fairy Del Mango Del Purple Waters Del Chcearden Chr sant s Average Average Colo2r height spread inches inches White White Mhite White Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Jden Bronze ]den Bronze Bronze Bronze' Bronze Bronze Bronze Deep Red Red ght Pink ,ght Pink Pink ep Pink ep Pink ep Pink ep Purple 12"1 15"1 16"1 1 7"i 22"1 17' 16", 19"; 15"1 15"1 16"1 17"1 15"1 19"1 15"1 17"1 12"1 1211 18"1 18". 14" 15"1 18" 17"1 15"1 15" 20" 22' 16"1 15"1 16" 16"1 19"1 20 17" 18"1 17"1 25"1 18"1 ?20'1 16" 18"1 19" 16", 18'i 20"1 17'1 15"1 Date full flower Oct . Oct. Oct . Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct . Oct. Oct. Oct . Oct. Oct. Oct . Oct. Oct . Oct . Oct. Oct . Oct. Oct. Oct . Oct. Oct. Oct . Oct.0 16 16 16 12 16 16 12 16 8 12 16 8 12 16 26 16 26 16 20 16 26 20 12 16 5 III . HERB3ICIDAL STUDIES33 Efforts were concentrated on weed control under container-groin stock, weed control of field-grown plants. Continer stock Casoron at Ix (10 lb./A actual), 2 x, 4 x and 8 x rates under Hetz Japanese Holly container-grown stock gave very good control of crabgrass and nutgrass. At the lower rate, some broadleaf weeds did persist as well as some bermudagrass from stolons. All rates of Casoron gave complete control of broadleaf weeds, annual and perennial grasses when used under sawdust. There was no plant damage of the con- tainer stock from this'herbicide. Field- roam plants Three rates each of Azak, 80 per cent W.P., Casoron, 50 per cent "U.?., ptam, 6 lb./gal. E.C., Herban, 80 per cent W.P., X14421-38C, Simazine,80 per cent W.P., and Vernam, 6 lb. /galE .C., were used in the nursery row of Common Boxvrood, Shore Juniper, Roundleaf Japanese Holly, Poinsettia stock plants, and Chrysanthemums. The high rates of X14421-38C, 16 lb./100 sq. ft., caused some damage of Doxioods, although very good pusley and nutgrass control was obtained. Good control of nutgrass and pusley was obtained by Casoron 8 lb. and 16 lb./A. and Vernam at 8 lb. and 16 lb./A. IV. HMAR.STING A preliminary nursery survey was conducted in Alabama that established pertinant facts about the industry in the State. The nurseries contacted were listed by the Division of Plant Industry, State Department of Agriculture and Indus tri e s. Businesses producing crops other than woody ornamentals were omitted. There were ll6 nurseries responding to the first card survey. The nurseries were divided into two groups : those who were wholesale and/or retail and those who. were retail only. The wholesale m- retail firms reporting $4,154, 497 gross sales. acres of nursery or 73.7 per cent made up the majority of nurseries, This amount represents 5, 210 combined of the nursery acres in Alabama. Type of nursery stock grown and wholesal value: Broadleaf evergreen shrubs Narrowleaf evergreen shrubs Deciduous shrubs Ornamental trees Value $2, 519.,542 548,088 591,879 239,565 Types of Stock Broadleaf evergreen shrubs Narrowi~leaf evergreen shrubs Deciduous shrubs Ornamental trees P nofna torsbe. 0 "040 41-an50 29 21 63 15 16 6 Per cent of nurseries pro grProdu .n 98.28 84.48 72.41 55.17 51 w 60 21 Over 60 29 6 V. AZAEA #41, C O.A L SRAYS I- --- mom~P~~ L Results show that Cycocel and B-9 growth regulator cover sprays on azaleas are just as effective applied to the upper leaf surface only as applied to the low surface or whole leaf surface. Cloudy, dark conditions at time of application is not a factor if rain does not wash off treatments soon after they are made. A dry period of 8 to 12 hours is desirable after applications are made. Coral Bells azaleas treated Adth Cycocel bloomed 3 to 4, days earlier than those treated with B--9.