Nov 12, 2013

OSU Trials: Best of the Best By Jasmina Dolce

I know many of you rely on university trials to plan for your upcoming season. So, following along with the trend I’ve been covering over the past several weeks, I’d like to share more top trial performers with you. Ohio State University recently announced its “Best of the Best” from its 2013 annual plant trials. These plants received a perfect score on all four evaluations taken over the summer.

Here are some of this year’s trial favorites. Perhaps they’ll find their way into your production! If you’d like to learn more about OSU’s trials, go to http://ohiofloriculture.osu.edu/cultivar-trials.

Coleus ‘Kong Jr. Scarlet’ (Ball Ingenuity)

With smaller leaves than Kong series plants, ‘Kong Jr. Scarlet’ matured to 40 inches tall with striking lime and scarlet coloration and moderate flower production.

Petunia ‘Supertunia Vista Bubblegum’ (Proven Winners)

A mounding petunia, ‘Supertunia Vista Bubblegum’ grew to 22 inches tall. It was completely covered in hot pink blooms that recovered quickly after rainfall.

Geranium ‘Sarita Dark Red’ (Dümmen)

Numerous large, dark red flower clusters are held above the dense foliage of ‘Sarita Dark Red’. It grew to 18 inches tall.

Vinca ‘Titan Blush’ (PanAmerican Seed)

Large, pale pink blooms with a hot pink center create a strong contrast against the dark green foliage of ‘Titan Blush’. It grew to 14 inches tall.

Caladium ‘Royal Flush’ (Bates Sons & Daughters)

Caladium ‘Royal Flush’ reached 20 inches tall in full sun with moderate irrigation. It provided a dense cover of showy red leaves with a green margin.

Pennisetum ‘Graceful Grasses Fireworks’ (Proven Winners)

Fireworks is an eye-catching ornamental grass suitable as a backdrop or a focal point. In full sun, the plant has hot pink and maroon variegated foliage that reached a height of 48 inches.

What do you think of these top performers? Have you trialed any of them yourself? Will you be adding them to your production? Shoot me an e-mail at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

– Jasmina