Sep 23, 2014

Top-Performing Annuals at CSU

Fall is officially here! The 2014 gardening season is coming to an end, and most of the university trial garden coordinators are making their final evaluations, if they haven’t already. As always, weather and its unpredictability can be a challenge. But many plants shine through it all.

Colorado State University recently released its 2014 trial garden results. Plants were evaluated on Aug. 5 and again Sept. 5. The complete evaluation book will be posted on CSU’s trial garden website next month. For now, here are some of the this year’s “best of” annuals along with evaluators’ notes. Keep in mind, this is just a very small handful of this year’s top performers at CSU. Go to www.flowertrials.colostate.edu for a complete list and to see more photos.

Best of Show – Dahlia ‘XXL Veracruz’ (Dümmen/Red Fox)

Voted as “best dahlia” in 2014, ‘XXL Veracruz’ made it to the top as “best of show” in 2014 with a stunning display of lavender and white bicolor flowers. The vigorous plants maintained uniform growth and resisted lodging with strong stems throughout the season.

Best New Variety – Petunia ‘Supertunia Black Cherry’ (Proven Winners)

Flower color was captivating with shades that were similar to a black cherry, making it very unique. Plants had a tight mounding habit, which made an impressive appearance covered in the abundant dark flowers.

Best Novelty – Cuphea ‘Vermillionaire’ (Proven Winners)

The bright orange tubular flowers made a great contrast against the dark green, glossy foliage for a unique combination of color and texture. Plants took the summer heat and were much more resistant to flea beetles than traditional cuphea.

Best Begonia – ‘Big Bronze Leaf Red’ (Benary)

With prolific, red flowers and dark, bronze foliage on vigorous plants, the overall appearance was described by some evaluators as “gorgeous.” It grew well in both sun and shade locations.

Best Calibrachoa – ‘Can-Can Terracotta’ (Ball FloraPlant)

Shades of orange, yellow and gold created a very eye-catching flower. Blooms were abundant on large plants, which maintained uniform growth habit. Plants didn’t open up in the middle and did not show any chlorosis.

Best (seed mounding) Petunia – ‘African Sunset’ (American Takii)

Prolific flowers had a very unique color of peach and mango that seemed to glow. Vigorous plants had a nice mounding habit with uniform growth. Flowers were a good size and had flower power.

Best Scaevola – ‘Surdiva White Improved’ (Suntory)

Plants had a great compact growth habit and were continually covered in flowers. It stood out with its flower power and nice color combination with the medium green foliage.

Best Zinnia – ‘Magellan Scarlet’ (Syngenta)

The large, hot orange/red flowers were very prolific, giving the plant great flower power. Plants were uniform and did not lodge. New growth seemed to keep growing past old blooms to keep a fresh appearance without much deadheading.

Are you growing any of these impressive beauties? Or will you be adding them to your production next season? Do you conduct your own trials? If so, let me know! I’d love to hear about your top performers. Shoot me an e-mail at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com.

Don’t Forget…

The deadline to sign up for GPN‘s Plant Health Management Conference is quickly approaching. The conference will take place Oct. 7 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the registration deadline is Oct. 1. Go to www.gpnmag.com/planthealth to learn more about the program.

– Jasmina