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SUMMER
~~RIAL

"GARDEN

CONTENTS

Introduction Methods Climatic Conditions Trial Highlights

ON THE COVER: Vinca Blush Cooler was the overall best performer in the summer 1995 AAS Display Garden at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station s E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter. Another excellent performer was Petunia Purple Wave (inset).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge the substantial donation of seed from the companies listed in this publication, as well as the time and effort of David and Martha Wright of Wright's Greenhouse and Nursery, Inc., in growing all the transplants used in this study. K-Power generously donated fertilizer for this study.

First Printing 2.5M, May 1996 Information contained herein is available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin.

1995 Summer Trial Garden
Results
DARBY M. QUINN, BRIDGET K. BEHE, JIMMY WITT, AND J. RAYMOND KESSLER

INTRODUCTION IN THE SUMMER OF 1995, 245 bedding plant cultivars were evaluated in the
All-America Selections (AAS) Display Garden at the E.V. Smith Research Center (EVSRC). The objective of this study was to determine the heat tolerance and overall performance of summer-flowering annual plant cultivars. Results generated from this study will assist Alabama horticultural professionals and consumers in plant selection. Cultivar selection is based on seed company donations and vary from year to year. Landscape performance may vary from year to year as climatic conditions affect performance. AAS is a non-profit organization founded in 1932 to encourage the development of superior flower and vegetable cultivars through controlled trials. Selection of AAS "winners" is based on cultivar performance throughout the nationwide trial system. Winners are prominently displayed for professionals and consumers to see in landscape through a network of display gardens and printed media. The EVSRC Trial Garden was established as an AAS Display Garden in 1993. EVSRC, a unit of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, is located in Shorter, 26 miles east of Montgomery, Ala. (latitude 32° 30'N, longitude 85° Quinn is a research specialist, Behe is an associate professor, and Kessler is an assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture. Witt is superintendent of the E. V.Smith Research Center Horticulture Unit.

2

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

40'W). Similar tests were conducted at more than 200 display gardens throughout the U.S. to assess the general performance of new bedding plant cultivars under local environmental conditions. Other display gardens in Alabama are Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore and the Birmingham Botanical Garden. This publication presents results from the E. V. Smith trials. Comparison of results from several display sites will increase the reliability of the findings because weather, soil type, exposure, cultural practices, and other variables can greatly affect plant performance. Horticulturists are urged to visit other trial gardens to gain a better understanding of cultivar performance throughout a region or market area.

METHODS
Seeds of the trial entries were donated by several companies and grown by a local commercial transplant producer. Beds were located in Norfolk-Orangeburg loamy sand association soil (fine, loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Kandiudults). Raised beds were tilled and fumigated with methyl bromide two weeks before planting. No other fungicides or insecticides were applied during the trial period. K-Power Professional Fertilizer, a slow-release fertilizer (18-6-12), was preplant incorporated into the beds on May 9, 1995, at a rate of five pounds per 100 square feet. No additional fertilizer was applied during the season. Transplants were planted on May 17 at the rate of 12 plants per entry. All plants were grown in full sun, except for impatiens, which were grown under aluminum hoop frames covered with 60% black shade fabric. Rainfall was supplemented by overhead sprinkler irrigation to provide an equivalent of one inch of water per week. No maintenance, with the exception of one prune to the petunias mid-season, was performed on any of the cultivars. Petunia cultivars were pruned to approximately a third of their original length on Aug. 8. No deadheading of spent flowers or other maintenance was conducted. Eight of 12 plants per entry were evaluated every two weeks from May 31 through Sept. 20; the outer four plants on each side of the test plants were used as guard rows. Plants were rated by the same individual using a scale of 1-5. Flowering plants were rated primarily on their floral displays, while size, shape, and freedom from insect or disease blemishes were also considered. A rating of 1 indicated a small display of foliage with no flowers present; 2adequate amount of foliage with no flowers or few buds showing; 3 - large amount of foliage and a relatively small floral display; 4sufficient foliage and floral display to be attractive in the landscape; and 5 superior floral display and sufficient foliage display. A rating of 0 indicated the plant had died. Ratings were made in whole number units. Display was considered to be the size and color of the leaves.

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Average daily sunlight levels for the four months of the study (June, July, August, and September) were higher than the average for the last 11 years (Table 1). The

1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS

3

average daily air temperatures for all four months were higher than the average temperatures for the last 30 years. The average monthly rainfall was significantly less than the average for June, July, and August, approximately one half the average rainfall for the last 30 years. Approximately one inch more rainfall than normal fell in September. In general, it was brighter, hotter, and dryer than normal during the evaluation period. Figure 1 shows the minimum and maximum daily air temperatures for 1995.
TABLE 1. AVERAGE DAILY SUNLIGHT, DAILY AIR TEMPERATURE,
AND MONTHLY RAINFALL 1

Month

Avg. sunlight 2

Avg temperature

Total rainfall

1995 11-yr. avg. 1995 30-yr. avg 1995 30-yr. avg. 2 2 w/m w/m OF OF in. in. June 5,978.7 5,919.8 77.8 75.8 1.61 4.1 July 6,194.7 5,737.8 84.8 78.7 2.74 4.71 August 5,354.4 5,280.5 84.7 78.4 2.59 4.18 September 4,992.0 4,631.4 75.3 74.1 4.71 3.63 1Data were provided by the National Weather Service at Auburn University.

2Sunlight, or solar radiation, is measured in watts per square meter.

Temperature, OF Maximum
00

90 A 80 -VV
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50 40 30 20
10

M linimum

0

I

15 June

I

15 July

I

15 Aug.

I

15 Sept.

4

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS Due to drought at a critical point in the evaluation, most of the annuals evaluated did not rate a 3 or higher. However, but those that did, proved to be extremely heat and drought tolerant. Vincas performed the best; Blush Cooler was the overall best performer with an average rating of 4.1. Pacifica Punch (4.1) and Pretty in Rose (4) were also among the highest rated selections. Salvia farinacea Victoria Blue and Petunia Fantasy Pink also performed well (both 3.5). Another good performer this year was the petunia Purple Wave. However, its rating of 3.1 was somewhat misleading. Because petunias become leggy and unsightly in midsummer heat, it is a common practice of landscape professionals and gardeners to prune plants at that time in order to get them to produce a new flush of growth and promote flowering. Since all plants are treated in the same manner for purposes of the evaluation, we pruned all the petunias, including Purple Wave. Purple Wave did not appear to need pruning nor did it respond well. Several plants declined and one died. At the time of pruning, Purple Wave had an average rating of 5. It may have kept that high rating without pruning. These results indicate that Purple Wave should not be pruned at mid-season. Also performing well, Celosia plumosa Pink Candle provided an interesting floral display in the landscape, with a pale rose-colored spiked flower on 2.5- foot stems. This flower performs well as a fresh or dried cut flower in the experience of several gardeners. It received an average rating of 3 in 1995, even under the unusual stress of this summer. An impressive display was given by Verbena speciosa Imagination (3.4), with its purple and rose flowers and lacy foliage. Of the 34 marigold cultivars evaluated, Antigua Mixed was rated the highest (3). Inca Yellow and Perfection Gold were rated second highest (both 2.8). The best-performing gomphrena cultivar was Bicolor Rose (2.6). Zinnia linearis White Star (2.6) was the best zinnia. Both melampodium entries performed relatively well - Derby (3) and Showstar (2.8). For consistency, all sunflower cultivars were planted from plugs like the other plants being evaluated. However, since poor performance was expected from transplanted sunflowers, three cultivars were also direct seeded. Although some produced single flowers, the plugged sunflowers grew spindly and performed less well than the direct-seeded flowers. Direct-seeded sunflowers grew strong and tall, producing one to three flowers per plant. Of the 56 cultivars of impatiens, none ranked 3 or above. This was due in part to an early season infestation of pythium and phytophthora root rot that devastated most cultivars, severely skewing the results. Only three cultivars finished the study with all eight test plants alive. All plants of 16 cultivars died; nine cultivars finished with one or two surviving plants. Top three impatiens included Impatiens Novette Pink Star (2.7), Impulse Pink Blush (2.6), and Accent Deep Pink (2.5). Photographs on pages 11 - 14 illustrate many of the top-performing plants. Table 2 presents the height and overall rating of each flower in the trials (pages 5 - 10). Figures on pages 15 -25 plot the ratings of selected cultivars throughout the growing season.

1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS TABLE 2. HEIGHT AND AVERAGE RATING FOR FLOWERS GROWN IN THE 1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN

5

Variety Source 1 Height 2 Avg. rating 3 Gold 24.8 Neptune Blue 2.5 Gold Neptune White 14.7 1.5 Think Pink Grimes 37.0 2.4 Tropical Rose AAS 1.3 61.3 Chief Mixed Sakata 0.0 1.6 Sakata 0.0 1.3 Sparkler Wine Sakata Sparkler Mixed 0.0 1.3 Kimono Mixed Sakata 0.0 1.8 Takii Castle Mix 0.0 1.3 Dance Ballet Mix Grimes 0.0 1.5 Sakata 1.5 0.0 Apricot Brandy Grimes 0.0 1.5 Germans Dwarf Mixture Forest Fire Improved Sakata 0.0 1.3 Pink Candle Takii 85.0 3.0 Red Plume AAS 27.0 1.1 Sakata 2.0 Gnome Pink 32.0 Bicolor Rose Takii 2.6 66.2 Sakata 1.8 Gnome Purple 40.5 Sakata 1.9 Gnome White 0.0 Blitz 2000 Rose Star Sluis 0.0 0.8 PanAm 27.8 Deco Rose 1.3 Novette Rose Star Sluis 32.7 1.0 Blitz 2000 Rose Sluis 34.0 1.2 Gold 31.0 Accent Rose 1.2 Impulse Bright Eye Sluis 34.7 1.3 Accent Lilac Gold 33.9 2.1 Accent Lavender Blue 25.5 Gold 0.7 Accent Violet Gold 33.8 2.0 Sluis 20.5 Impulse Lilac 0.7 PanAm Super Elfin Lavender 22.0 0.7 PanAm Deco Violet 30.0 0.7 21.5 Super Elfin Lilac PanAm 0.8 29.5 Impulse Lilac Blue Sluis 0.7 Accent Pastel Mix Gold 31.6 1.5 Accent Mystic Mix Gold 31.8 1.3 Impulse Mix 1.0 Sluis 37.7 Accent Sunrise Mix 27.7 Gold 0.8 Blitz 2000 Formula Mix Sluis 38.7 1.1 Novette Star Mix Sluis 38.0 0.6 Accent Star Mix Gold 39.0 1.0 Blitz 2000 Light Pink 41.5 Sluis 1.3 Impatiens Accent Deep Pink 43.3 2.5 LIV Gold L. 1 Seed sources: All-America Selections (AAS); American Takii; Benary; Ball Seed; Goldsmith (Gold); Pan American (PanAm); Sakata; American Sluis; Waller; and Grimes. 2 Height was measured in centimeters at the termination of the study (10 centimeter is about four inches). Zero height indicates insufficient plants to calculate terminal height. 3 Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; 1 = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; and 5 = superior floral display, sufficient foliage. Genus species Ageratum Ageratum Ageratum Canna Celosia cristata Celosia globosa Celosia globosa Celosia plumosa Celosia plumosa Celosia plumosa Celosia plumosa Celosia plumosa Celosia plumosa Celosia plumosa Gaillardia Gomphrena Gomphrena Gomphrena Gomphrena Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens Impatiens

6

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
TABLE 2, CONTINUED. HEIGHT AND AVERAGE RATING FOR FLOWERS

GROWN IN THE 1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN

Genus species

Variety

Source1

Height 2

Avg. rating3

Impatiens Impulse Pink Sluis 38.0 1.3 Impatiens Deco Pink PanAm 29.8 1.2 Impatiens Impulse Pink Blush Sluis 36.9 2.6 Impatiens Novette Pink Star Sluis 38.3 2.7 Impatiens Pink Swirl PanAm 31.0 1.8 Impatiens Blitz 2000 Pink Sluis 40.0 2.2 2.1 Impulse Red Sluis 41.5 Impatiens Impatiens Sun & Shade Cranberry Grimes 0.0 0.2 Gold 27.8 1.1 Impatiens Accent Burgundy Impatiens Deco Burgundy PanAm 0.0 0.4 34.8 1.6 Impatiens Blitz 2000 Red Sluis PanAm 23.8 1.3 Impatiens Deco Red Gold 37.0 1.3 Impatiens Accent Cranberry Impatiens Super Elfin Red Velvet Im PanAm 29.5 0.9 PanAm 26.0 0.6 Impatiens Super Elfin Scarlet Imp. Impatiens Accent Red Gold 29.0 1.3 Impatiens Sun & Shade Royal Red Grimes 25.0 0.8 Impatiens Blitz Salmon Sluis 50.6 2.0 Impatiens Super Elfin Apricot PanAm 29.0 0.5 Impatiens Peach Swirl PanAm 34.5 1.2 Impatiens Impulse Salmon Sluis 0.0 1.0 Impatiens Deco Salmon PanAm 0.0 0.4 Impatiens Coral Swirl PanAm 0.0 0.7 Impatiens Impulse Salmon Orange Sluis 0.0 0.7 0.1 Accent Salmon Gold 0.0 Impatiens Impatiens Accent White Gold 0.0 0.5 Sluis 0.0 0.2 Impatiens Impulse White Impatiens Blitz 2000 White Sluis 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 PanAm Impatiens Exp. Crystal Deco Gold 0.0 0.2 Impatiens Accent Orange Impatiens Blitz Orange Sluis 0.0 0.6 Impatiens Impulse Orange Bicolour Sluis 0.0 0.8 PanAm 0.0 0.4 Impatiens Deco Orange Marigold Antigua Primrose Gold 0.0 2.3 PanAm 0.0 1.7 Marigold Bonanza Flame Imp. Marigold Girl Flame Scarlet Grimes 0.0 1.5 Marigold Aurora Red Waller 29.0 1.9 Marigold Excel Primrose Gold 0.0 2.4 Gold 0.0 2.4 Marigold Perfection Yellow Marigold Antigua Yellow Gold 0.0 2.1 Marigold Inca Yellow Gold 61.5 2.8 1Seed sources: All-America Selections (AAS); American Takii; Benary; Ball Seed; Goldsmith (Gold); Pan American (PanAm); Sakata; American Sluis; Waller; and Grimes. 2 Height was measured in centimeters at the termination of the study (10 centimeter is about four inches). Zero height indicates insufficient plants to calculate terminal height. 3 Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; 1 = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; and 5 = superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS
TABLE 2, CONTINUED. HEIGHT AND AVERAGE RATING FOR FLOWERS

7

GROWN IN THE 1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN

Genus species Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Marigold Melampodium Melampodium Nicotiana Nirembergia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia
I ,.,J

Variety Inca Gold American Indian Yellow Antigua Gold Perfection Gold Bonanza Gold Imp Bonanza Yellow Bonanza Spry Aurora Light Yellow Bonanza Bee Bounty Yellow Janie Bright Yellow Bounty Gold Excel Yellow Excel Gold Perfection Orange Inca Orange Antigua Orange Aurora Orange Janie Tangerine Bonanza Harmony Bonanza Deep Orange Bounty Flame Excel Orange Antigua Mix Bounty Mixed Janie Mixed Aurora Mixed Derby Showstar Domino Salmon Pink Mont Blanc Primetime Blues Mixture Primetime Mid Blue Primetime Blue Primetime Light Blue Merlin Blue Merlin Blue Picotee Fantasy Blue Ultra Blue Ultra Sky Blue

Source 1 Gold Grimes Gold Gold PanAm PanAm PanAm Waller PanAm Sakata Waller Sakata Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Waller Waller PanAm PanAm Sakata Gold Gold Sakata Waller Waller Benary Ball Ball AAS Gold Gold Gold Gold Sakata Sakata Gold Gold Gold c'

Height 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
37.1

Avg. rating3 2.6
2.1

2.5
2.8

43.8 33.0 34.1 29.7 29.7 25.5 38.2 0.0 0.0 55.7 61.4 0.0 43.3 27.5 45.3 37.0 29.5 0.0 0.0 33.5 35.5 35.4 49.5
43.2

2.4 2.2 2.3 2.6 2.2 2.2 2.5
2.6

2.4 2.3 2.6 2.5 0.0 2.1 2.3 2.7 1.9 2.0 2.7 2.3 2.4 2.5
3.0 3.0

35.6
12.7

25.8 25.6 32.5 22.0
21.1 16.4 19.7

2.8 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.4
2.8 1.8 2.6

2.1
3.1

24.5
20.8

1.6 1.9

1 Seed sources: All-America Selections (AAS); American Takii; Benary; Ball Seed; Goldsmith(Gold); Pan American (PanAm); Sakata; American Sluis; Waller; and Grimes. 2 Height was measured in centimeters at the termination of the study (10 centimeter is about four inches). Zero height indicates insufficient plants to calculate terminal height. 3 Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; 1 = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; and 5 = superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

8

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
TABLE 2, CONTINUED. HEIGHT AND AVERAGE RATING FOR FLOWERS

GROWN IN THE 1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN Genus species Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Variety Blue Flash Hulahoop Blue Polo Orchid Veined Heavenly Lavender Lavender Storm Primetime Lavender Primetime Fiesta Mixture Ultra Mixture Flash Mix Primetime Mixture Merlin Rose Morn Ultra Rose Merlin Rose Rose Flash Primetime Rose Frost Merlin Rose Picotee Merlin Cherry Rose Rose/White Flash Fantasy Pink Celebrity Chiffon Momrn Ultra Pink Pink Flash Primetime Twilight Primetime Crystals Primetime Pink Morn Fantasy Pink Morn Pink Centre Flash Merlin Pink Morn Ultra Light Pink Veined Merlin Burgundy Picotee Primetime Scarlet Merlin Red Picotee Polo Red Primetime Red Frost Primetime Carmine Primetime Red Veined Fantasy Red Polo Velvet Merlin Red Velvet Flash Polo Red Target Red Flash Source' Sluis Sakata Sluis Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Sluis Gold Sakata Gold Sakata Sluis Gold Sakata Sakata Sluis Gold AAS Gold Sluis Gold Gold Gold Gold Sluis Sakata Gold Sakata Gold Sakata Sluis Gold Gold Gold Gold Sluis Sakata Sluis Sluis Sluis Height 2 19.6 13.0 25.8 23.4 21.4 27.8 29.4 21.4 19.4 25.1 21.3 20.9 25.4 22.0 24.2 17.4 19.5 19.7 19.9 22.0 18.6 27.0 27.7 23.3 22.6 15.0 17.0 22.6 22.2 22.7 26.3 24.4 22.1 23.0 25.1 21.1 16.4 23.5 16.1 21.7 19.6 18.8 Avg. rating 3 2.4 2.1 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.0 2.1 2.6 2.6 2.1 2.5 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 1.8 3.5 2.6 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.1 2.2 2.0 2.3 1.8 2.0 1.7 2.5 1.9 2.3 3.0 2.2 1.6 2.3 1.8

1 Seed sources: All-America Selections (AAS); American Takii; Benary; Ball Seed; Goldsmith (Gold); Pan American (PanAm); Sakata; American Sluis; Waller; and Grimes. 2 Height was measured in centimeters at the termination of the study (10 centimeter is about four inches). Zero height indicates insufficient plants to calculate terminal height. 3 Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; 1 = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; and 5 = superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS TABLE 2, CONTINUED. HEIGHT AND AVERAGE RATING FOR FLOWERS GROWN IN THE 1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN Genus species Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Phlox drummondii Phlox drummondii Phlox drummondii Phlox drummondii Portulaca Portulaca Rudbeckia Rudbeckia hirta Salvia coccinea Salvia farinacea Salvia farinacea Salvia farinacea Salvia farinacea Salvia splendens Salvia splendens Salvia splendens Statice Variety Fantasy Cyrstal Red Ultra Red Hulahoop Red Hulahoop Burgundy Ultra Scarlet Cherry Frost Ultra Burgundy Ultra Crimson Star Coral Flash Primetime Salmon Polo Salmon Primetime Salmon Mor Merlin Salmon Fantasy Salmon Salmon Flash Ultra Salmon Ultra Plum Hulahoop Velvet Purple Wave Purple White Flash Merlin White Improved Primetime White Ultra White Polo White White Flash Palona White with Eye Palona Carmine Palona Deep Salmon Palona Lightblue Sundial Orange Sundial Gold Becky Mix Indian Summer Lady in Red Reference Victoria White Victoria Blue Reniassance Firecracker Red Landscaper Bright Scarlet Cover Girl Friendly Yellow Source' Gold Gold Sakata Sakata Gold Gold Gold Gold Sluis Gold Sluis Gold Sakata Gold Sluis Gold Gold Sakata AAS Sluis Sakata Gold Gold Sluis Sluis Sluis Sluis Sluis Sluis Ball Ball Takii AAS AAS Benary Ball Ball Sluis Grimes Grimes Benary Takii Height 2 17.3 19.3 21.5 16.5 21.5 23.4 22.0 17.6 19.5 20.3 19.8 27.1 21.0 17.5 22.6 21.5 22.4 18.9 14.2 20.2 18.8 22.0 19.0 29.0 20.5 0.0 0.0 14.0 0.0 12.7 12.9 17.5 0.0 71.4 34.0 38.2 37.5 37.0 30.3 29.9 32.5 42.6 Avg. rating 3 2.7 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.1 1.8 2.3 2.2 2.7 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.1 3.1 1.5 2.3 2.1 1.3 2.6 1.5 1.2 1.0 1.4 1.0 2.9 3.2 1.0 0.9 2.5 3.2 2.8 3.5 0.9 2.5 2.6 2.3 2.2

9

1Seed sources: All-America Selections (AAS); American Takii; Benary; Ball Seed; Goldsmith (Gold); Pan American (PanAm); Sakata; American Sluis; Waller; and Grimes. Height was measured in centimeters at the termination of the study (10 centimeter is about four inches). Zero height indicates insufficient plants to calculate terminal height. 3 Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; 1 = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; and = superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

2

10
TABLE

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 2,
CONTINUED. HEIGHT AND AVERAGE RATING FOR FLOWERS

GROWN IN THE 1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN

Genus species

Variety

Source1

Height 2

Avg. rating3

Statice 10.5 2.0 Z Scape Queen Sage Rose Grimes Statice Premium Carmine Grimes 30.8 2.0 Statice Premium Apricot 35.4 1.8 Grimes 1.8 23.6 Statice Premium Blue Grimes Statice Light Pink Shades Sakata 23.5 2.0 Statice 15.4 Petite Bouquet Mixed Waller 1.9 Tall Excellent Mixed 1.1 32.5 Statice Sakata Sunflower Sakata 0.0 1.1 Sunbeam Sakata 0.0 0.8 Sunflower Sunbright Sunflower Moonbright Sakata 0.0 0.7 0.9 Sunflower Premium Yellow Branching Grimes 0.0 84.0 Sakata Sunflower (seeded) Sunbeam 120.0 Sakata Sunflower (seeded) Sunbright 122.0 Sunflower (seeded) Moonbright Sakata 23.5 2.4 Verbena Peaches and Cream AAS 26.4 Benary 3.4 Verbena speciosa Imagination PanAm Vinca 47.9 3.9 Grape Cooler PanAm 47.5 Vinca Orchid Cooler 3.8 40.3 3.3 Vinca Pacifica Lilac Waller PanAm Vinca 45.6 4.1 Blush Cooler 42.1 Vinca PanAm 3.9 Rose Cooler Vinca 48.6 Waller 4.1 Pacifica Punch Vinca Pacifica Polka Dot Waller 41.6 3.9 AAS 46.6 Vinca 4.0 Pretty in Rose PanAm 47.0 4.0 Vinca Peppermint Cooler Pink Cooler PanAm 50.8 3.7 Vinca 44.6 PanAm Icy Pink Cooler 3.7 Vinca 57.6 Parasol AAS 3.7 Vinca Waller 44.6 Vinca 3.9 Pacifica Red Waller 40.4 Vinca Pacifica Blush 3.5 36.0 3.7 Waller Vinca Apricot Delight Pacifica White Waller 36.8 3.7 Vinca 18.3 1.4 Zinnia Short Stuff Scarlet Gold 21.8 1.7 Zinnia Short Stuff Orange Gold 20.5 1.3 Zinnia Gold Short Stuff Gold 21.0 Zinnia Short Stuff Mixture Gold 1.6 20.0 1.0 Zinnia Short Stuff White Gold 15.5 Zinnia 0.9 Short Stuff Deep Red Gold 27.0 Gold 1.6 Zinnia Short Stuff Coral Ball 2.2 Zinnia linearis Starbirght Mix 0.0 Zinnia linearis Orange Star Ball 0.0 2.1 Zinnia linearis Ball 57.0 2.6 White Star 1 Seed sources: All-America Selections (AAS); American Takii; Benary; Ball Seed; Goldsmith (Gold); Pan American (PanAm); Sakata; American Sluis; Waller; and Grimes. 2 Height was measured in centimeters at the termination of the study (10 centimeter is about four inches). Zero height indicates insufficient plants to calculate terminal height. 3 Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; 1 = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; and 5 = superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

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14

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1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS

I5

Age ratum

Gaillardia Red Plume Gomphrena

Rating

Canna

Gnom

Purple

4 1--

3 k-

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

1

14 June

28

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 =plant died; I =small foliage dlisplay, no flow ers; 2 = adequate foliage, no tiowiers or few buds; 3 =adlequLate to large toliage, relatix ely small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and floN ers to he attracti~ e in the landscape; and 5 = superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

At \ANIM \ \IRI('

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STAT ION

Celosia cristata
Chicf Mi xed

Celosia plumosa

Rating

Celosia globosa Sparkler Wine

Apricot Brandy

.9 3 h

2 H

I

I;

,

1

14 June

28

12 July

26

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 =plantf died; I =small foliage display, no flow ers; 2 =adequate foliage, 11o flow ers or few buds1; 3 = adequiate to large foliage, relati~ eli small floral display ; 4 =sufi~ient foliage and flow ers to be attractixe in the landscaIpe; and( 5 =suplerior floral display, sufficient foliage. A dlashed line is usedl whlen the ratings of two( cultix ars are identical.

1995 SU\MMER TRIAL GARDEN RESU LTS

Marigold
a, Wa KC6

Rating
5

xceI Primo, Inca Yellow Inca Gold Perfection Gold

4

3

2/

01

14
June

28

12
July

26

9
Aug.

2
Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 =plant (lied; I small foliage display, no flow ers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flow ers or few buds; 3 =adequate to large foliage, relativ ely small floral (displax; 4 = sufficient foliage and flow ers to be attractiv e in the landscape; andl 5 = superior floral display., sufficient foliage.
-

IS

ALABAMA AGRICU LTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Melampodium

Rudbeckia Rudbeckia hirta

Rating 5r

Portu laca Statice Fdy Yellow Premiiumi Carmine Premium Blue

4kE

3k

2E

III

I

I

I

I

1

14 June

28

12 July

26

9
Aug.

23

6
Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; I = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relativ ely small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flow~ers to be attractive in the landscape; and 5 =superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

1995 SUMMER TIRIAL GARDEN RESU LTS

19

Nicotiana Nirem bergia Verbena Peaches and Cream Verbena speciosa
Imagination

Phlox drummondii
Palona Carmnu

Rating

1

14 June

28

12 July

26

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 = plant died; I =small foliage displav, no flow~ers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flow~ers or few b~uds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 sutticient foliage and flow~ers to be attractive in the landscape: and 5 = superior tloral displai,, sufficient foliage.

ALABIAMA AGRICUJLTURA\L FXIERIMN] STIAT ION

Petunia Primetime Saline Fantasy Salmon

Rating

~ilmon Rlas!

4 k-

3 k-

2k

I F-

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

1

14 June

28

12 July

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 =plant dlied; I = smiall foliage display, no flow ers; 2 = adequate foliage, n10 flowecrs or few~ b~uds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relativ ely smiall floral display; 4 =sufficient foliage and flow ers to he attractiv e in the landscape; and~ 5 = sup~erior floral dlislIay, sufficient foliage.

1995 SUMMER TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS

Salvia coccinea Salvia farinacea Rating 5r

Salvia splendens

41-

"N
i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

1

14 June

28

26

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 = plant (lied; I = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relativ ely small floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; andl 5 = superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

U

X~~LABI-AMA AGRICULTIUI.RAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Statice
een Sage Ro

Sunflower

Petite Bouquet Mixed

Pr mim ' Sun bright

1

14 June

28

12 July

26

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

Rating Scale: 0(= plant died; 1 = small foliage display, no flowers; 2 = adequate foliage, no flowers or few buds; 3 = adequate to large foliage, relatively small floral display; 4 =sufficient foliage and flowers to be attractive in the landscape; andI 5 =superior floral display, sufficient foliage.

195Sl MMFR TRIAL ( \RI)L\ RESLI1

,3

Rain

4

3

2 Vinca Grape Cooler Pacifica Red
1
"ac if LaLiac Rose Cooler

Pretty inRose

0

1

1

1

14 June

28

12 July

26

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

R~at ing scale: 0l plant diedl I = mall foliage display, no flom~ers; 2 =adlequlate foliage, no flo%%ers or te% buds(; 3 =adlequlate to large foliage, relaf i'ecl smiall floral display; 4 = sufficient foliage an lo(N10wers to be attractki~e in thle land-

scap~e; and 5

suior~ floral dIisplla}, sufficienit foliage.

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Rating 5

4

3

2

Vinca
Pacifica White

Blush Coo! Pacifica Polka Dot Pacifica Blush
1~ t I I I I

0 -

14

28

9 Aug.

23

June

6 Sept.

Rating Scale: 0 =plant died; I = small foliage displa', no flow ers; 2 = adequate foliage, no floN~ ers or teN% buIds, 3 =adequate to large foliage, relati~ clx small
tloral displax; 4 =sufficient foliage andI flow ers to h~e attractix e in the landscape; anid 5 superior floral (lislIax, sufficient foliage.

191)5 SI \IFRI-

I RIA.\

GARDEN RESIILIS

?

Zinnia
1 ,;

Zinnia linearis
:;jl,

J, .

Short Stuff Mixturti

Rating

Short Stuff White
Short Stuff Deep P::

Short Stuff Coral

4 !-

3 -

2H
N

k

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

14 June

28

12 July

9 Aug.

23

6 Sept.

Rating S~cale: 0l plant dIiedl: I = smiall foliage display, no flomkeirs; 2 = adequate loliage, n1o flow ers or 16 buds(1; 3 =adequate to large foliage, rvlati~ clx small floral display; 4t suftticient foliage and flow ers to he afttracti~ e in the landscape; and~ 5 superior floral displa}, suffticienit fol iage. A dashed line is u~sedl when the ratings of'two en It kars are identical.

AlIabahma~'s Agricultuiral Experiment Station System

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

wi th at arzriFc ltuil
re r~icc h it t inl Craci

2

ieldi ciopliv
fore cstry S.nhd

Srstotck. e

-

tr

iiifl

ii

\ lahuitti.68

Ev r hias a stakci in9 iie ft7411stti

o1 oduci

g anditI

co tc uit n

p uiic1

Resecarchi 1I Iiit IdenIt ificationi

Main Agricultural Experiment Station. Auburn. E. V. Smith Research Center, Shorter.
Tenressee Valley Substatiorr Bee Mina. Crossville. Sare Mourtair Subostatione North Alabarma Horticurlture Substation. Cullman Upper CoastalI Plain Substition. Winfield. Forestry Unit. Fiyette County. CFiltier Ara Ht iculture Substation, Clanton Forestry Uit. Coosa County. Piedoont Substation. Camip Hill Foresty Uiot. Autaiuga County. Prittville Experiment Field. Prattville. 11t 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Black Belt Substation. Marion Jun'ction The T..rnrpseed-ikerberry Ptace. Union Springs5 Lower Coastat Ptain Substation. Camden. Forestry Unit Barbou.r Cou.nty Monroevilre Experrment Freto. Mornroevitte. Wiregrass Substaiton. Headtlind Brewton Experiment Freld Brewton. Ornamental Horticulture Subostation. Spring Hiltt 19 Gulf Coast Substation. Fairtiope.