7( /0 -0 % . V V V A ~ '~ N t~ A ~ :r mr r- '~i94; I -I HI S . February 1999 Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Luther Waters, Director Auburn University Auburn, Alabama CONTENTS Introduction Methods Climatic Conditions Trial Highlights Evaluator's Notes ON THE COVER: Salvia leucantha had the highest average bloom rating for any plant in 1996. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge the substantial donation of plant material from the following nurseries: Saul Nursery (Atlanta, GA), Sandhill Nursery (Auburn, AL), Bluebird Nursery (Clarkson, NE), Wayside Gardens (Hodges, SC), and Goodness Grows (Lexington, GA). K-Power generously donated fertilizer for this study. Also, appreciation is expressed to the staff at EVSRC for support throughout the duration of this project. First Printing 2M, February 1999 Information contained herein is available to allpersons without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin. 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS DARBY M. QUINN, J. RAYMOND KESSLER, JR., JEFF L. SIBLEY, BRIDGET K. BEHE, AND JAMES S. BANNON INTRODUCTION In the spring of 1996, 57 varieties of herbaceous perennials were planted for evaluation at the E.V. Smith Research Center (EVSRC) located in Shorter, AL, 26 miles east of Montgomery (latitude 32°30'N, longitude 85°40'W). The objective of the study was to determine overall performance of full-sun perennials in this USDA Hardiness Zone 8, AHS Heat Zone 8 environment. Results generated from this study will assist Alabama horticultural professionals and consumers in selection of flowering perennials for landscape and garden use. Variety selection was based on nursery donations and plants available from local retail stores. Landscape performance may vary from year to year as climatic conditions affect performance. Comparison of results from several display sites will increase the reliability of findings because weather, soil type, exposure, cultural practices, and other variables can greatly affect plant performance. Horticulturists are urged to visit several trial gardens to gain a better understanding of variety performance throughout a region or market area. METHODS Raised beds of Norfolk-Orangeburg loamy sand soil (fine, loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Kandiudults) were tilled and fumigated with methyl bromide two weeks before planting. No other fungicides or insecticides were applied during the trial period. A commercially available slow-release fertilizer (18-6-12) was pre-plant inQuinn is a former research specialist, Kessler is an assistant professor, Sibley is an assistant professor, and Behe is a former associate professor, in the Department of Horticulture. Bannon is superintendent of the E. V. Smith Research Center Horticulture Unit. 2 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION corporated into the beds as per soil test recommendations and then side-dressed again in the following spring (1997). No additional fertilizer was applied during the growing seasons. Six beds, each 6' x 80', were prepared for planting on April 11, 1996. Three plants per entry were grown in three separate beds (a total of nine plants per entry) in full sun. The plants were allowed to adjust to transplanting, and evaluations began July 3, 1996. Rainfall was supplemented by overhead sprinkler irrigation to provide an equivalent of one inch of water per week. Minimum deadheading of spent flowers, weeding by hand, and cutting back in either the fall or spring were the only other maintenance activities performed on any of the varieties. Plants were evaluated every two weeks from July 3, 1996 through October 1997. Plants were rated by the same individual using a scale of 0 to 5 in three categories: flowering, foliage, and overall appearance. Plants were rated primarily on their floral displays, while size, shape, and freedom from insect or disease blemishes were also considered. A rating of 0 indicated the absence of a desired characteristic; 1-a minimal, but not impressive, amount of the characteristic, could be considered negative in the "foliage" and "overall" categories; 2-a small amount of the characteristic, not very impressive in the "foliage" and "overall" categories; 3lsufficient display to be attractive in the landscape; 4-above average display and quite beneficial in the landscape; and 5-superior display and extremely showy in the landscape. Ratings were made in whole number units. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Average daily air temperatures in the winter (December through February) of 1996 and 1997 were 1.5° and 2.6°F warmer than normal (daily air temperatures averaged over the years from 1961 through 1990), respectively (Table 1). Spring (March through May) of 1996 was cooler than normal by 0.6°F, while spring of 1997 was warmer than normal by 1.0°F. Average summer (June through September) temperatures in 1996 and 1997 were only 0.2 ° and 0.4°F warmer than normal, respectively. Fall (October through November) of 1996 and 1997 was warmer than normal by 0.7 ° and 2.1OF, respectively. Table 1 reports data on average daily sunlight, average rainfall and average chilling hours (< 45°F) during 1996 and 1997. TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS Bloom The highest average bloom rating for any plant in 1996 was 4.9 for Salvia leucantha in October. It also performed well in September (4.5) and November (3.3) (Table 2). Salvia leucantha ratings for 1997 were 4.5 in October and 3.3 in September (Table 2). The second highest rating in 1996 was received by Lythrum virgatum 'Mordens Pink', also with a rating of 4.9 in July of 1996; however performance and bloom duration were not as long as those of Salvia leucantha. Coreopsis rosea had a peak rating of 4.7 in July of 1996 while Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' rated a 4.7 in July of 1996 and kept on blooming with a rating of 4.1 in August of 1996. TABLE 1. AVERAGE DAILY SUNLIGHT, DAILY AIR TEMPERATURE, MONTHLY RAINFALL, AND CHILLING HOURS' Month Avg. sunlight 1997 1996 w/m2 2 Avg. air temperature 1961-90 1996 1997 Total rainfall in. 3 (0 C4 Chill hours 1996 in. 6.6 3.7 9.2 4.8 4.8 2.2 9.4 5.7 8.2 1.4 2.6 4.3 1997 1961-90 in. 1996 hrs. 199 hrs Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 1 Data were 2 Sunlight, 2299 3267 4062 5182 6627 6545 6135 5696 4744 3466 2935 2083 w/m 2211 2641 4485 5291 5684 5260 6322 5643 5851 M 2661 2177 OF 43.9 48.0 51.4 60.0 72.7 76.4 80.0 78.6 72.8 62.9 54.2 49.0 OF 47.6 51.0 61.8 59.2 67.3 74.1 81.0 78.0 75.6 63.9 50.5 45.7 OF 43.2 46.6 54.3 62.1 69.0 75.8 78.7 78.4 74.1 63.7 54.8 46.8 5.6 8.1 2.1 7.2 3.8 6.7 2.6 4.6 3.5 3.2 8.4 6.1 5.0 5.8 6.6 5.2 3.8 4.1 4.7 4.2 3.6 2.6 4.1 5.2 423 305 254 104 6 0 0 0 0 42 187 316 374 254 66 63 0 0 0 0 50 243 430 m 0 m m z z z -H 0 provided by the National Weather Service at Auburn University. Rainfall was collected on site. or solar radiation, is measured in watts per square meter. 3Number of hours less than 45°F. m z m Cl) C qH o~ 4 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Aster x frikartii 'Monch' had a rating of 4.6 in July and a 4.0 in August 1996, also extending its effectiveness in the landscape. Verbena canadensis 'Alba' had peak rating in April of 1997 of 4.4, while Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' peaked in July of 1996 with a rating of 4.2 and kept performing well into August with a 3.2. Another good performer was Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty'. It rated a 4.2 in August and a 3.6 in July of 1996. However, two of the longest blooming perennials studied were Verbena bonariensiswith an average rating of 4.2, 4.0, and 3.4 in 1996 for the months of July, August, and September, respectively. Then in 1997, Verbena bonariensis started to show excellent color in May, June, and July with a ratings of 3.9, 3.7, and 3.2, respectively. Lythrum salicaria'Robert' also had a long showing with a rating of 4.4 in July and a 3.9 in August of 1996 and then again in 1997 with a rating of 3.4 in June, 3.4 in July, and 3.9 in August. For a listing of the best flower ratings, see Table 2. Foliage The perennial with the best foliage performance in this two-year study was Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' (Table 3). This ground cover type perennial received an average rating of 4.0 or above for every month evaluated in 1996, with the exception of August. Starting in May and continuing through October of 1997, Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' again did not fall below a rating of 4.0. This indicates a very healthy, disease- and heat-resistant perennial. Veronica spicata 'Red Fox' had a shorter duration of high foliage ratings than Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' but ranked second in foliage performance due to several high ratings during the two years. The third best foliage performer was Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue'. This exceptional perennial kept a rating of 4.0 or higher for every month except September in 1996. Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' received a rating of 4.0 or higher from March through June of 1997. A few other outstanding foliage performers were Helianthus angustifolius,Achillea x 'Moonshine', Baptisia alba 'Pendula', Coreopsisverticillata 'Moonbeam', and Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid'. For a listing of the best foliage ratings, see Table 3. Overall The highest overall rating for the perennials in this study was Lythrum virgatum 'Mordens Pink' with an overall rating of 4.9 for July 1996 (Table 4). The second highest overall rating was a tie between Coreopsis rosea and Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' at 4.8, 'Moonbeam' had another excellent rating of 4.2 for August 1996. Another selection with an overall rating of 4.0 or higher for two months was Verbena bonariensisrating 4.2 and 4.0 for July and August 1996, respectively. The only variety to have a rating of 4.0 or higher for two months in 1996 and then one month in 1997 was Salvia leucantha. Other perennials with an overall rating of 4.0 or higher are listed in Table 4. For the entire evaluation results see Table 5, where selections are arranged by genus and species, color and rating. Any plant rated 2.5 or higher could be considered a very good performing plant and would be a worthwhile addition to a full sun garden located in USDA Hardiness Zone 8 and AHS Heat Zone 8. 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIALTRIAL GARDEN RESULTS 5 EVALUATOR'S NOTES These evaluations demonstrate that the perennials studied generally performed better the first year after planting. Several varieties did not return the second year, though some natural reseeding occurred. Still other selections never fully recovered from the winter months or succumbed to stress in the summer. Plants that maintained an attractive foliage display while out of bloom and had highly rated bloom displays during the bloom season are worth incorporating into a full sun perennial or mixed border. Gardeners and growers are encouraged to try plants in several locations to determine their suitability for particular locations. However, plants with high ratings in this study are a good place to start, many of which appear to tolerate a full sun environment, require little care, and still perform well. Helianthus angustifolius and Salvia uliginosa responded well to pruning once or twice during the growing season to maintain a manageable height and prevent plants from falling over. Artemisia x 'Powis Castle' did better if pruned in early spring rather than the fall or winter, because it had a tendency to die from winter injury if pruned too early. Dictamnus albus 'Purpureus', known for its slow development, gradually increased in size each year and should not be dismissed until given a few years to mature. Another slow starter, Baptisia alba 'Pendula' has graceful arching limbs with rounded leaflets on pinnately compound leaves that are attractive, with or without flowers. Among the most impressive performers were Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' and 'Pink Mist'. Once they started blooming, flowers were present on one or more plants even through the winter. The Scabiosas had a tendency to reseed in the immediate vicinity, not aggressively, but well enough to provide additional plants for planting or to share with friends. Another favorite was Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' with a moss-like carpet of foliage, which seemed to almost always have a few flowers and sometimes was literally covered with dark purple blooms. Verbena tenuisecta 'Alba', the white version, was also very nice, but seemed to produce fewer flowers. Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' is another ground cover that produces purple flowers in mass. However, it tended to flower only along the edges of the spreading plant, leaving the center without blooms. Verbena bonariensiswas also a favorite. It has a tall, open, airy habit with small purple flowers. Geranium sanguineum 'Album' produced delicate flowers on interesting palmate foliage and began to spread slowly, making a nice ground cover. Rudbeckiafulgida 'Goldstrum' was also a very good performer, with large, golden-color ray flowers that attracted butterflies. Salvia leucantha was magnificent during its long bloom season (close to three months), with grey pubescent leaves that provide a good back drop for earlier flowering plants. Bumblebees were very attracted to the flowers. Several plants that did not overwinter performed well the first year and should still be considered as valuable additions to the landscape. These should be treated as annuals and replaced every year. One of the showiest was Salvia van houttie with dark maroon flowers that attracted hummingbirds. These plants were approximately three feet tall and two feet wide and completely covered with blooms. Once the 6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION flowers fell, the dark maroon calyx remained, extending the "effective" period for several weeks. Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama 'Nana' also fell into this category of being treated as an annual, as did Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty' and 'Snow Bank' along with Gallardiax grandiflora 'Goblin'. However, these last three produced seedlings to replace the mother plant. In general, Coreopsis selections ('Moonbeam', 'Zagreb', and rosea) were disappointing. They performed beautifully the first year, but the second year, although alive, they did not bloom well. Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King' became so invasive it had to be removed from the trial. Therefore, we would not recommend planting it in a mixed border due to its aggressiveness. While Lythrum species are often considered invasive, we had very few seedlings germinate and no colonizing through underground stolons. Caution should still be used when planting this perennial, and it should not be introduced to native wetland areas. TABLE 2. AVERAGE BLOOM RATING FOR BEST PERFORMING PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Achillea x 'Moonshine' Aster x frikarkii 'Monch' Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty' Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank' Boltonia asteroidesvar. latisquama 'Nana' Ceratostigmaplumbaginoides Coreopsis rosea Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' Echinaceapurpurea 'White Swan' Gaura lindheimeri Helianthus angustifolius Lythrum virgatum 'Mordens Pink' Lythrum salicaria 'Robert' Date 6/97 5/97 7/96 8/96 7/96 8/96 8/96 7/96 7/96 7/96 7/96 7/96 8/96 7/96 8/96 8/96 5/97 10/96 7/96 7/97 7/96 8/96 8/97 6/97 7/97 Bloom 3.7 3.5 4.6 4.0 4.2 3.7 4.2 3.6 3.2 3.8 4.7 4.7 4.1 4.2 3.2 3.9 4.2 3.4 4.9 3.1 4.4 3.9 3.9 3.4 3.4 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIALTRIAL GARDEN RESULTS TABLE 7 2, CONTINUED. AVERAGE BLOOM RATING FOR BEST PERFORMING PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum' Salvia van houttei Salviafarinacea'Strata' Salviafarinacea'Victoria Blue' Salviafarinacea'Victoria White' Date 8/96 8/97 10/96 9/96 7/96 8/96 5/97 8/96 7/96 9/96 5/97 10/96 9/96 11/96 10/97 9/97 7/96 9/96 8/96 6/97 4/97 4/97 7/96 8/96 9/96 5/97 6/97 7/97 7/96 4/97 7/96 5/97 7/97 Bloom 4.0 3.6 4.0 3.6 3.6 3.1 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.8 4.9 4.5 3.3 4.5 3.3 3.7 3.2 3.1 3.6 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.0 3.4 3.9 3.7 3.2 3.4 4.4 3.4 3.4 3.3 Salvia leucantha Salvia uliginosa Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' Verbena bonariensis Verbena canadensis 'Alba' Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' 8 TABLE ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 3. AVERAGE FOLIAGE RATING FOR BEST PERFORMING PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Achillea x 'Moonshine' Artemisia x 'Powis Castle' Aster x frikarkii 'Monch' Baptisia alba 'Pendula' Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty' Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank' Boltonia asteroidesvar. latisquama 'Nana' Ceratostigmaplumbaginoides Coreopsisrosea Coreopsisverticillata 'Moonbeam' Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' Dianthusplumarius 'Itsaul White' Date 10/96 12/96 7/96 11/96 4/97 3/97 5/97 7/96 8/96 7/96 8/96 7/96 8/96 9/96 6/97 5/97 7/97 4/97 8/96 7/96 7/96 8/96 7/96 7/96 7/96 8/96 9/96 8/96 7/96 9/96 7/97 8/97 9/97 6/97 7/96 8/96 9/96 5/97 6/97 7/96 8/96 Bloom 4.8 4.7 4.6 4.6 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.7 4.1 4.4 4.0 4.6 4.2 4.2 5.0 5.0 4.6 4.2 4.6 4.4 4.6 4.6 4.7 4.1 4.9 4.9 4.3 4.9 4.7 4.5 4.7 4.6 4.4 4.1 5.0 5.0 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.0 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS TABLE 9 3, CONTINUED. AVERAGE FOLIAGE RATING FOR BEST PERFORMING PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Date 5/97 6/97 5/97 7/96 8/96 5/97 7/96 5/97 4/97 4/97 5/97 7/96 8/96 4/97 5/97 7/97 3/97 6/97 8/97 7/96 5/97 7/96 5/97 4/97 6/97 10/96 7/96 8/96 5/97 6/97 7/97 4/97 7/96 8/96 5/97 6/97 4/97 3/97 8/96 7/96 6/97 Bloom 4.3 4.2 4.0 4.2 4.1 4.0 4.1 4.7 4.5 4.3 4.2 4.8 4.7 5.0 5.0 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.2 4.2 4.5 4.5 4.9 4.3 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.0 4.9 4.7 4.5 4.4 4.9 4.4 4.9 4.4 4.4 4.0 4.6 4.5 4.2 Variety Dianthusplumarius 'Itsaul White' Echinaceaangustifolia Echinaceapurpurea 'White Swan' Gaillardiax grandiflora'Goblin' Gaura lindheimeri Geranium sanguineum 'Album' Helianthusangustifolius Lythrum virgatum 'Mordens Pink' Lythrum salicaria'Robert' Physostegiavirginiana 'Vivid' Rudbeckiafulgida 'Goldstrum' Salviafarinacea'Victoria White' Salviafarinacea'Victoria White' Salvia leucantha 10 10 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION TABLE 3, CONTINUED. AVERAGE FOLIAGE RATING FOR BEST PERFORMING PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Salvia officinalis 'Purpurescens' Salvia uliginosa Scabiosacolumbaria 'Butterfly Blue' Date 7/96 4/97 5/97 11/96 12/96 7/96 10/96 8/96 5/97 4/97 3/97 6/97 4/97 3/97 5/97 6/97 4/97 5/97 6/97 3/97 7/96 7/96 3/97 7/96 6/97 5/97 7/97 7/96 11/96 10/96 9/96 12/96 7/97 5/97 6/97 8/97 9/97 10/97 8/96 9/96 10/96 Bloom 4.0 5.0 4.1 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.2 4.0 5.0 4.9 4.7 4.1 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.3 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.0 4.2 4.1 4.0 4.3 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.0 4.9 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.2 4.0 5.0 5.0 4.8 Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant' Sedum x 'Autumn Joy' Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' Verbena bonariensis Verbena canadensis 'Alba' Verbena tenuisecta 'Alba' Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' Veronica spicata 'Red Fox' 1996-1 997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIALTRIAL GARDEN RESULTS TABLE 11 1 3, CONTINUED. AVERAGE FOLIAGE RATING FOR BEST PERFORMING PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Veronica spicata 'Red Fox' Date Bloom 7/96 6/97 5/97 4/97 7/97 4.5 5.0 4.7 4.5 4.3 8/97 9/97 4.3 4.3 TABLE 4. AVERAGE OVERALL RATING FOR BEST PERFORMING PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Achillea x 'Moonshine' Artemisia x 'Powis Castle' Aster xfrikarkii 'Monch' Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty' Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank' Coreopsisrosea Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' Gaura lindheimeri Lythrum virgatum 'Mordens Pink' Lythrum salicaria 'Robert' Rudbeckiafulgida 'Goldstrum' Salvia leucantha Date 5/97 7/96 7/96 7/96 8/96 7/96 7/96 8/96 7/96 5/97 7/96 7/96 8/96 10/96 9/96 10/97 4/97 4/97 7/96 8/96 4/97 Bloom 4.3 4.0 4.2 4.1 4.1 4.8 4.8 4.2 4.4 4.3 4.9 4.5 4.0 4.7 4.4 4.5 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.0 4.4 Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' Verbena bonariensis Verbena canadensis Alba' 12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION TABLE 5. AVERAGE BLOOM, FOLIAGE, AND OVERALL RATINGS FOR PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL Dates 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg GARDEN Variety Achillea x 'Moonshine' Bloom 0.1 1.3 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.1 0.3 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.7 0.0 0.7 1.7 0.0 0.8 1.1 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.3 0.7 Foliage 3.6 3.3 3.4 1.9 2.3 2.1 1.6 0.0 0.7 3.1 2.7 2.9 2.8 1.0 1.8 3.2 3.5 3.4 3.0 0.2 1.4 2.4 0.7 1.4 2.1 1.3 1.6 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 2.2 1.6 1.9 Overall 2.2 2.4 2.3 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.2 0.0 0.5 2.3 1.7 1.9 2.2 0.5 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.5 2.1 0.1 0.9 2.0 0.4 1.1 1.3 0.6 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.8 1.1 Achillea x 'Coronation Gold' Artemisia ludoviciaa 'Silver King' Artemisia x 'Powis Castle' Aster xfrikarkii 'Monch' Baptisia alba 'Pendula' Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty' Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank' Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama 'Nana' Campanula carpatica 'Blue Clip' Campanula carpatica 'Wlite Clips' Centranthusruber 'Albus' Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus' Ceratostigma plumbaginoides 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS TABLE 5, CONTINUED. AVERAGE BLOOM, FOLIAGE, AND OVERALL RATINGS FOR PERENNIALS IN THE 13 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Coreopsis rosea Dates 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1990 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 Bloom 1.4 0.0 0.6 1.9 0.7 1.2 1.4 0.3 0.8 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.0 0.4 0.6 1.5 0.5 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.4 1.2 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.8 Foliage 2.8 0.7 1.6 3.5 3.3 3.4 3.0 2.8 2.9 3.3 3.4 3.4 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.7 2.4 2.1 2.3 1.7 1.9 2.6 2.2 2.4 0.4 0.0 0.2 2.5 2.7 2.6 2.5 3.1 2.8 2.2 3.3 2.8 0.9 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.1 3.0 Overall 1.8 0.3 1.0 2.3 1.6 1.9 1.9 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.6 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.9 0.8 1.5 0.8 1.1 1.8 1.1 1.4 0.2 0.0 0.1 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.0 1.8 1.1 1.5 1.3 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.4 Coreopsisverticillata 'Moonbeam' Coreopsisverticillata 'Zagreb' Dianthusplumarius 'Itsaul White' Dictamnus albus 'Purpureus' Echinacea angustifolia Echinaceapurpurea 'Bright Star' Echinaceapurpurea 'White Swan' Euphorbia epithymoides Gaillardiax grandiflora 'Goblin' Gaura lindheimeri Geranium sanguineum 'Album' Geranium x 'Johnson's Blue' Geranium x oxonianum'ClaridgeDruce' Helianthus angustifolius 14 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION TABLE 5, CONTINUED. AVERAGE BLOOM, FOLIAGE, AND OVERALL RATINGS FOR PERENNIALS IN THE 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Variety Helianthus angustifolius Linum perenne Dates 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Bloom 0.4 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.3 0.7 1.0 1.9 1.6 1.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.4 1.8 1.0 1.4 2.1 0.1 1.0 1.6 1.0 1.3 1.9 1.5 1.7 2.2 1.9 2.1 2.1 1.3 1.7 0.0 0.0 Foliage 4.2 3.7 2.0 1.3 1.6 2.2 2.6 2.4 2.9 3.2 3.1 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 2.6 3.1 2.9 3.2 3.7 3.5 3.1 3.4 3.3 2.5 0.5 1.4 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.3 2.8 2.6 2.4 3.1 2.8 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.0 1.7 Overall 1.4 1.4 0.8 0.5 0.7 1.8 1.4 1.6 2.2 2.1 2.1 0.4 0.3 0.4 1.0 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.1 0.9 1.3 1.2 2.3 1.7 2.0 2.1 0.3 1.1 1.8 1.3 1.5 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.5 1.9 2.2 1.9 1.1 Lythrum virgatum 'Mordens Pink' Lythrum salicaria 'Robert' Oenotherafruticosa 'Fireworks' Phlox maculata 'Miss Lingard' Physostegia virginiana 'Crown White' Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid' Rudbeckiafulgida 'Goldstrum' Salvia van houttei Salviafarinacea 'Strata' Salviafarinacea 'Victoria Blue' Salviafarinacea 'Victoria White' Salvia leucantha Salvia officinalis 'Purpurescens' 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS TABLE 15 1 5, CONTINUED. AVERAGE RATINGS FOR PERENNIALS IN THE BLOOM, FOIAGE, AND OVERALL 1996-97 TRIAL GARDEN Dates Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg 1996 1997 Avg - r\r\~ Variety Salvia officinalis 'Purpurescens' Salvia uliginosa Bloom 0.0 2.2 1.3 1.7 1.0 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.6 1.5 0.1 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 1.8 1.6 2.5 2.1 2.3 1.2 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.9 1.7 1.8 2.4 2.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 Foliage 2.3 3.0 2.9 2.9 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.1 3.2 3.1 1.8 3.3 2.6 2.0 3.2 2.7 2.4 2.0 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.1 3.2 3.2 2.8 2.2 2.5 3.1 3.1 3.1 2.7 3.0 2.9 3.0 3.5 3.3 3.5 4.1 3.9 3.9 4.2 4.1 Overall Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist' Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant' Sedum x 'Autumn Joy' Solidago 'Crown of Rays' Tagetes lucida Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' Verbena bonariensis Verbena canadensis Alba' Verbena canadensis 'Pink' Verbena tenuisecta 'Alba' Verbena tenuisecta 'Purple' Veronica spicata 'Red Fox' 1.5 2.3 1.9 2.1 1.6 2.1 1.9 1.7 2.0 1.9 1.1 1.8 1.5 1.1 1.9 1.6 1.4 0.9 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 2.3 2.0 2.6 2.3 2.4 1.7 2.0 1.9 1.7 2.1 1.9 1.7 2.3 2.0 2.1 2.8 2.5 1.4 1.0 1.2 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 4r lift .. v eq id tF _ a i _ / ccia (,ai1/ar x < rclllora 'cioholin' 6-7 Gaura lindheimcrill('l~ 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS 17 II( lulli o ,mi rii lo liii '/ M ,, ,1 1. ii': i 1(1 (IinI ),Sobv / I ~ N S(il, I([ h to ombi it / *'- '~, III 11 I//I '/11/' 18 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION I_ V y '4 Y j C NN -' ' I KY zy 1996-1997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS 19 Rating Sr 3 2 June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec. May August 1997 1996 Achillea x Moonshine " Bloom 0 Foliage U Overall 1997 1996 Achillea x Coronation Gold 0 Rai ting S " Bloom 0Foliage Overall Rating " r . . r 43 2F June Sept. Dec. May August 2 I I . 3 ^ t June Sept. Dec. May August ,,, . 1997 1996 Artemisia x Powis Castle " Bloom 0 Foliage Overall 1997 1996 Aster x frikarii Monch s Bloom 0 Foliage . Overall Ra ting 31 2 a awk a - e Sept. 1996 Dec. May 1997 June Sept. 1996 Dec. May 1997 August Baptisia alba Pendula 0 Rating 5[~~ Bloom 10 Foliage U Overall 0 4 3 2 Boltonia asteroides Pink Beauty Bloom 0 Foliage Overall Bolttna seoie Snowbank *1 Bloom 07Foliage U vrl Rating S 0June Sept. Dec. May August 1997 1996 Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama Nana " Bloom 0 Foliage " Overall 20 3n Rating ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Al ARAMA A~ZRI~I II TII Rating 51- 5r 2 June Sept. Dec. May August 2 1996 * Bloom 0 Foliage 1997 N Overall " 1996 Bloom 0 Foliage 1997 U Overall Campanula carpatica Blue Clip Campanula carpatica White Clips Rating Rating 196S9 June Sept. Dec. My Ags June Sept. Dec. May August 1996 * Bloom 0 Foliage 1997 Overall Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Rating June Sept Dec. May August 1996 C " Bloom 0 Foliage 1997 reopss roeAlu U Overall 43 2- June Sept Dec. May August 1996 " Bloom Rating 1997 0 Foliage Overall Coreopsis verticillata Moonbeam Rating sr I 4 3 rr June Sept Dec. May August June Sept Dec. May August 1996 1997 0 Foliage U Overall 1996 " Bloom 0 Foliage 1997 U Overall II r Coreopsis verticillata Zagreb Dianthus plumarius Itsaul White * Bloom \7 \ r \ II 1996-1 997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIALTRIAL GARDEN RESULTS 1~3~~i-1 HFRRArFT)II~ PFRFNNIAI TRIAI E ~~7 Rating Rating 21 e Sept Dec. May August- June Sept. - Dec. May I 1996 1997 Dictamnus albus Purpureus 0 Bloom El Foliage Overall 1996 1997 Echinacea angustifolia " Bloom El Foliage Overall Rating Rating 43 1996199 2 June 1996 1997 Echinacea purpurea White Swan El Foliage U Overall Sept. Dec. May August 9 Bloom Bloom Epobaepithymoides ElFoliage U Overall Rating e Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec. May August 1996 1997 Gaillardia x grandiflora Goblin * Bloom El Foliage U Overall 0 Rating 5 43 1996 1997 Gaura lindheimeri Bloom El Foliage U Overall ie Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. 1996 Dec. May 1997 August 1996 1997 Geranium sanguineum Album * Bloom El Foliage U Overall " Geranium x Johnson's Blue Bloom El Foliage * Overall I _II \l~lsc, _ rl 1 22 22 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION ALABAMA AGRICULTU Ratting 5 Rating 5 4 4 S 3 2 June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec. May August 1996 1997 Geranium x oxonianum Claridge Druce 1996 " Bloom 0 Foliage 1997 Overall . Helianthus angustifolius Bloom 0 Foliage U Overall Rating 4 AlL .L.oxoia 3 2 L99 I YT- * * June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec. May August 19961997 Linum perenne " Bloom 0 Foliage U Overall Rating 1996 1997 Lythrum virgatum Mordens Pink " Bloom 0 Foliage Overall Rating 5 4 3 2 3 2 June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec. May 1997 August 1996 1997 Lythrum salicaria Robert " 1996 " Bloom 0 Foliage E Oenothera fruticosa Fireworks Bloom Overall 0 Foliage U Overall Rating Rating Jue Sp. 19619 Dc. My Ags Jue Sp. 19619 Dc. My Ags Pho3auaaMs *2 loFlae U igr vrl 2 Phssei3ignin lo oig rw vrl ht .,, II I r r r 1996-1 997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS 1~~Gi-l ~~7HFRRArFnl I~ PFRFI\lNIaI TRIBI ~ Rating Rating 23 e Sept. 1996 Dec. May 1997 August June Sept. 1996 Dec. May 1997 I1 Physostegia virginiana Vivid * Bloom Li Foliage Overall Rudbeckia fulgida Goldstum 0 Bloom Rating Sr 4 Li Foliage Overall Rating 5r .. frA ~2 Sept. 1996 Dec. May August 3 a uu I t . . . . .. Dec. May 1997 August June June Sept. 1996 1997 Salvia van houttei 0 Rating 5r Bloom 0 Foliage U Overall . Rating Sr Salvia farinacea Strata Bloom LiFoliage U Overall 2 .. June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec May August 1996 1997 Salvia farinacea Victoria Blue 1996 * Bloom L0 Foliage 1997 U Overall Salvia farinacea Victoria White 0 S 4 3 2 Bloom 0 Foliage Overall June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. 0 Bloom Dec. May August 1996 1997 Salvia leucantha * Bloom Li Foliage U Overall 1996 1997 Salvia officinalis Purpurescens Li Foliage U Overall 24 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Rating 4 33 2 Rating 2 00 June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec. May August 1996 1997 Salvia uliginosa " Bloom Q Foliage U Overall 1996 1997 Scabiosa columbaria Butterfly Blue Bloom IJFoliage U Overall Rating 4 Rating 4 June Sept. Dec. May August June Sept. Dec. May August 1996 1997 Scabiosa clumbaria Pink Mist SBloom Foliage Overall 1996 1997 Sedum spectabile Brilliant 0 Bloom 0 Foliage Overall Rating 4 Rating 4 3 RaigRtn 5 5q25is June Sept. 1996 * Bloom Dec. May 1997 August June Sept. 1996 0 Bloom Dec. May 1997 August Q Foliage U Overall 0 Foliage U Overall 1996-1 997 HERBACEOUS PERENNIALTRIAL GARDEN RESULTS I CD n hhln PA 25 Id_1n7U~~~CI Rai ting 5. 4. IRating 3. C 2- . . . . . . . 22 n 6.._... June . . . . . . . . . Sept Dec. May 1997 1996 Verbena canadensis Alba 0 Foliage Overall August June Sept. Dec. May 1996 1997 Verbena canadensis Pink " Bloom 0 Foliage U Overall August " Bloom Rating 3 2- ie Rating May Sept Dec. 1997 1996 Verbena tenuisecta Alba 0 Foliage Overall August June May August Sept. Dec. 1997 1996 Verbena tenuisecta Purple 03Foliage OverallI 0 Bloom *Bloom Sr 2 F Sept. Dec. May 1997 1996 Veronica spicata Red Fox 0 Foliage U Overall June August " Bloom AUBURN UNIVERSITY W ill anl atLER aLt iCUIWilt i11 C\ 0 AN A T ICscaich cnit eh 1712a111 area.N soil AUhurn Univ ersity serlves the needs of fieldCAHU crap. l istock, torestry EFRO p odurcet5 in each rc gon in Alabanwa research pr og~ram, since Amy ad\y autage ti om newr 8 7. BAOU W\a\ s of ptoducintg and9 ENHWCFE handi Ino tarot products directly benefits the Snsming giulra ~ ExperimentN Staio Auournn AlbamaA&M nivesit I t ESihResearch entericShote CntI 1Tenressee Valley Reseatch and Extensior Certer elie Mina. 2. Sand Mountain Research and Entensior Certer, Crossnille. 3. North Alabama Horticulture Statior. Cullmar. a. Upper Coastal Plain Reseatc nStation, Wintield 5. Csilton Area Htorticilture Statior. Clanton. 6. Piedmont Research Statior. Carrp Hll 7. Prattnille Exper imnt Field Prattnille. 8 elack eli Research and Extensior Center, Marion Junction. 9 Lower Coastal Plain Research Station Camder. t0 Monroenille Esperimnt Field, Montoevile t 11 Wiregrass Research and Estension Center. Heanland. t2 Brewton Experiment Fieldn Brewton. t13.Ornamertal Horticultire Statior. Spring RHil t4 Gulf Coast Research ard Entersior Center. Fairhopes