Weather conditions across the country ran the gamut from normal temperature and precipitation levels to late-spring freezes and excessive rainfall to unusually hot, dry summer conditions in 2007. Here are reports from universities and gardens across the
United States and
Canada that highlight species and cultivars that performed well. Trial managers made these choices in mid- to late-July 2007.
CANADA
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
Guelph experienced moderate temperatures through mid-July with very little rainfall.
Catharanthus ‘Nirvana Red.’
Hibiscus ‘Luna Rose.’
Impatiens ‘Fanfare Coral Bright.’
Lobelia ‘Laguna Sky Blue.’
Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, ‘Surprise White,’ ‘Opera Supreme Pink Morn.’
Petunia x calibrachoa ‘SuperCal Terracotta.’
Salvia ‘Mystic
Spires Blue.’
Verbena ‘
Tuscany Rose Eye.’
For more: Roger Tschanz,
University of
Guelph, (519) 824-4120;
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COLORADO
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Weather conditions were hot and dry in Fort Collins in June and July. There were nine days of 90°F or higher in June, and through mid-July there had been 15 days with temperatures higher than 90°F. Total precipitation from the beginning of May until July 24 was 1.69 inches.
Ageratum ‘Patina
Burgundy.’
Argyranthemum ‘Sunlight.’
Celosia ‘Fresh Look Gold.’
Coleus ‘Splish Splash.’
Geranium (regal) ‘Elegance Bravo.’
Petunia ‘Cascadias Bicolor Fantasy.’
Zinnia ‘Profusion Knee High Red.’
For more: James E. Klett,
ColoradoStateUniversity, (970) 491-7179;
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; www.flowertrials.colostate.edu.
FLORIDA
University of Florida, Gainesville
Less than an inch of rain fell in April and May at the University of Florida trials in Gainesville. But June brought almost 7 inches of precipitation. High temperatures in May and June averaged in the mid- to high-80s.
Coleus ‘Big Red Judy.’
Petuniax calibrachoa ‘SuperCal Neon Rose.’
Scaevola ‘Surdiva White.’
Vinca Cora series.
Zinnia ‘Solcito.’
For more: Jennifer Boldt,
University of
Florida, (352) 392-9806;
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; http://trialgarden.ifas.ufl.edu.
GEORGIA
University of Georgia, Athens
The trial gardens were planted from late April to mid-May after a late-season hard freeze. It became “unbearably” hot in May with temperatures in the 90s. Despite receiving several surprise downpours, drought conditions prevailed throughout most of Georgia, including Athens. In an effort to use more organic practices, the trial gardens fertilized with worm castings all summer, which translated into good-looking plants.
Angelonia ‘AngelMist Spreading Pink.’
Calibrachoa ‘Noa Ultimate Pink.’
Celosia ‘Smart Look Red.’
Cuphea ‘Totally Tempted.’
Impatiens ‘Jambalaya Lilac, ‘Super Elfin XP Punch.’
For more: Meg Green,
University of
Georgia, (706) 542-2471;
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; http://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu.
LOUISIANA
Burden Center, Baton Rouge
The petunias were planted in late January and the rest of the trials were planted in March and April. Baton Rouge experienced cooler-than-normal spring and summer temperatures with above-average rainfall.
For more: Allen Owings, Louisiana State University AgCenter, (225) 578-2417;
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; www.lsuagcenter.com.
MAINE
Rogers Farm, Stillwater
Rogers Farm is the sustainable agriculture research farm of the Maine Ag and Forestry Experiment Station. Late May was perfect for hardening off plants -- good rainfall, no high winds, no burning sun and no extremely cold nights. In the field, cool nights may have made plants develop more slowly than in previous years.
For more: Lois Berg Stack,
University of
Maine Cooperative Extension, (207) 581-2949;
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MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts Horticultural Society Elm Bank Public Garden, Wellesley
The trial gardens were planted May 26. It’s been dry in Wellesley with the exception of a few concentrated rain storms. Temperatures have been primarily in the 80s with some 65°F days mixed in. The weather pattern has been unstable. Aphids been a problem this year.
Coleus ‘Chocolate Mint,’ ‘Electric Lime.’
Osteospermum ‘Tradewinds Purple Bicolor.’
Petunia ‘Cascadia Sun Ray.’
Verbena Lanai series.
For more: Peter Hinrichs, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, (617) 933-4925;
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; www.masshort.org.
MICHIGAN
Michigan State University, East Lansing
The university trials plants in containers and in ground beds. Trial coordinator Norm Lownds chose his top picks for both categories.
For more: Norm Lownds,
MichiganStateUniversity, (517) 355-5191, Ext. 1349;
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; http://msutrials.ath.cx.
MISSOURI
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
Weather conditions at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening were slightly cooler than normal in spring, followed by hot, humid weather, which is typical for summer in St. Louis. Some of the impatiens and petunias battled Botrytis.
Coleus ‘Splish Splash.’
Dahlia ‘Mystic Desire.’
Dianthus ‘Melody Blush Pink.’
Helenium ‘Dakota Gold.’
Lantana ‘Luscious Lemonade.’
Rudbeckia hirta ‘
Corona.’
Verbena ‘Finesse.’
For more: June Hutson,
MissouriBotanical Garden, (314) 577-9445;
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; www.mobot.org.
MissouriStateUniversity,
Springfield
The trials, planted May 21-25, hadn’t experienced too many pest infestations by late July with the exception of spider mites and thrips on zinnia and salvia. Spring was wetter than normal and up to late July it was hot and humid.
Alternanthera ‘Royal Tapestry.’
Coleus ‘Electric Lime,’ ‘Chocolate Mint.’
Hibiscus ‘Luna Rose.’
Impatiens (double) Fanciful Stardust Mix.
Lantana ‘Landmark Blaze,’ ‘Landmark Citrus.’
Petunia Shock Wave Purple.
Talinum ‘Limon.’
For more:Clydette Alsup,
MissouriState University, (417) 836-5095;
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; http://ag.missouristate.edu/Horticulture/Horticulture_Variety_Trial.htm.
SoutheastMissouriStateUniversity,
Cape Girardeau
These container trials were potted up May 21-25. There was a slight shortage of rain but the area enjoyed a mild spring and summer through July. Deer and a few caterpillars were the only pests as of late July.
Celosia ‘Smart Look Red.’
Dianthus ‘Supra Purple.’
Hibiscus ‘Luna Rose.’
Impatiens ‘Butterfly Cherry,’ ‘Firefly Watermelon,’ ‘Fiesta Ole Purple Stripe.’
Lantana ‘Bandana Rose.’
Marigold ‘Moonstruck
Orange.’
Petunia Wave Purple.
Vinca ‘Jaio Dark Red.’
Zinnia ‘Zesty Pink.’
For more: Denise Pingel,
SoutheastMissouriStateUniversity, (573) 651-2316;
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NEW YORK
Bluegrass Lane, Cornell University, Ithaca
It was dry when the trials were planted in early June, which was followed by a few weeks of high temperatures. Temperatures turned moderate -- between 70°F and 80°F -- by the end of July. Herbicide application drifted into the outer edge of the annual beds, leading to reduced flowers and distorted leaves. During periods of drought, the trials switched from overhead irrigation to drip.
Alternanthera ‘Royal Tapestry.’
Angelonia ‘Angelface Blue.’
Cuphea ‘High Gloss Dark Pink.’
Lantana ‘Luscious Lemonade.’
Penstemon ‘
Phoenix Red.’
Petunia ‘Jamboree Blue.’
Rudbeckia ‘Radiance.’
Salvia ‘Mystic
Spires Blue.’
Zonal geranium ‘Americana Violet.’
For more: Melissa J. Kitchen, Cornell University Flower Bulb Research Program, (607) 280-4898; www.hort.cornell.edu/miller/bulb/index.html.
NORTH CAROLINA
JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh
The trials were planted April 24 accompanied by dry weather conditions. But the rains came in June. There were some periods of intense heat.
Petunia Surfinia Mini-Mini White Improved, Supertunia Bordeaux, Surfinia Baby Pink Ice, Supertunia Vista Fuchsia, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, ‘Suncatcher Pink Vein,’ ‘Sweet Surprise Lavender.’
Salvia ‘Sparkler Red,’ ‘Sparkler Purple.’
For more: Bernadette Clark,
North CarolinaStateUniversity, (919) 515-1213;
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NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota State University, Fargo, Williston and Dickinson
The Dickinson and Williston plants were put in a week later than normal due to some scheduling conflicts. The Williston plants were put in June 1 and the Dickinson plants June 2 and 3. In Fargo, the geraniums were planted May 25, the verbena on May 26and the remainder of the annuals were planted June 4-6. It was wet and cool early at all three locations until the end of June when it turned dry and hot.
Dickinson
Lobelia ‘Techno Heat Upright Blue’ and ‘Techno Blue.’
For more: Barb Laschkewitsch, (701) 231-7484;
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; www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/plantsci.
OHIO
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati
These trials are a cooperative effort between the Ohio State University Hamilton County Cooperative Extension, the Cincinnati Flower Growers Association and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. The trials consist of about 200 varieties both in the ground and in containers. Plantings go out after the garden’s 80,000 tulips are dug and removed from the display beds -- usually around the first week in May. The weather started out dry and unusually hot in May and June but cooled down with adequate rainfall by the end of July. Celosia ‘Smart Look Red’ experienced some Phytophthora root and stem rot and the peacocks damaged some of the scaevola and cleome.
Celosia ‘Fresh Look
Orange,’ ‘Fresh Look Gold.’
Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita.’
Coleus ‘Kong Scarlet.’
Dahlia ‘Mystic Illusions.’
Impatiens ‘Fanfare Coral Bright.’
Iresine ‘Blazin’ Rose.’
Lantana ‘Citrus Blend.’
Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum.
For more: Stephen Foltz, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, (513) 475-6106;
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; www.planttrials.com.
OhioStateUniversity,
Springfield
The OSU trials were planted May 23 during a dry spell. June brought warmer-than-normal temperatures. But July was the coolest on record, which kept the agyranthemum and osteospermum looking good.
Agastache ‘Color Spires Hot Pink.’
Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita.’
Perilla ‘Magilla Purple.’
Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, Supertunia Raspberry Blast, ‘Baby Duck Yellow,’ Shock Wave Purple, Surfinia Mini-Mini White Improved.’
For more: Pamela J. Bennett, Ohio State University Extension, (937) 328-4607; www.clark.osu.edu.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City
The shade trials were planted in mid-May while the sun trials were planted in early June. May, June and July had an extraordinary number of rainy days. Despite all of the precipitation, there were few pest or disease outbreaks. Many of the varieties held up particularly well during all the rain.
Callistephus ‘Nevita Rose.’
Celosia ‘Smart Look Red.’
Lobelia ‘Hot Blue.’
Marigold ‘Logro Gold.’
Vinca ‘Titan Pure White.’
Zinnia ‘Profusion Knee-High Red.’
For more:Haldor Howard,
Oklahoma State University, (405) 945-3344;
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PENNSYLVANIA
Southeast Agriculture Research & Extension Center, Landisville
Through mid-July, it was dry with relatively cool nights in Landisville. No disease problems had surfaced primarily because of the weather conditions. But Japanese beetles devastated sweet potato vine, cuphea, many ivy geraniums, salvia and New Guinea impatiens.
Angelonia ‘AngelMist Spreading Purple.’
Calibrachoa Superbells Dreamsicle, ‘Noa Yellow,’ ‘Milky Way Light Blue Improved.’
For more: Alan H. Michael,
PennsylvaniaState, (717) 921-8803;
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; http://trialgardens.cas.psu.edu.
TENNESSEE
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville has been in a drought since spring, and as of mid-July rainfall totals were 13 inches below average. Instead of insect and disease problems, the trial gardens have been invaded by rodents. Wood rats have eaten many plants off at the base and control has been “challenging.”
Ageratum ‘Artist Rose.’
Antirrhinum ‘Speedy Sonnet Rose.’
Calibrachoa ‘
Liberty Dark Blue,’ Superbells Dreamsicle.
For more: Sue Hamilton,
University of
Tennessee, (865) 974-7324;
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; http://utgardens.tennessee.edu.
TEXAS
The Dallas Arboretum
It’s been a record year for precipitation in Dallas coupled with lower-than-normal temperatures. That’s quite a change from last year’s 60-plus days of 100°F or higher temperatures with barely any rainfall. “It’s one of the reasons why we make such an excellent test ground,” said Denise Robb, the arboretum’s plant trials research and greenhouse manager.
Basil ‘Pesto Perpetuo.’
Cuphea ‘Flamenco Cha Cha,’ ‘Totally Tempted.’
Echinacea ‘Fragrant Angel.’
Marigold ‘
Marietta Red.’
Marigold Perfection series.
Portulaca Hot Shot series.
Zinnia Profusion Knee High series, ‘Solcito.’
For more: Denise Robb, Dallas Arboretum,
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; (214) 515-6586.
Fort WorthBotanic Garden
Just like its neighbor to the east, Fort Worth has experienced record rainfall during spring and summer.
Calylophus ‘Compact Gold.’
Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant.’
Salvia microphylla‘Hot Lips.’
Salvia greggii ‘Pink Preference,’ ‘Dark Dancer.’
Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg,’ ‘Augusta Duelberg.’
Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape.’
For more: Kathleen Cook,
Fort WorthBotanic Garden, (817) 871-7688; www.fwbg.org.
TexasA&MUniversity Agricultural Research and
ExtensionCenter, Overton
The trials were planted from late April to late May when weather conditions were warm, wet and humid. Temperatures started to rise in early June with continued humidity. July was one of the wettest months on record in Overton with moderately high temperatures and excessive cloud cover. The wet conditions resulted in some crown rot. Grasshoppers have caused minor damage.
Ornamental pepper ‘NuMex Twilight,’ ‘Garden Leader Blue Chilis.’
Pentas ‘Northern Lights Lavender.’
Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum.
Vinca Cora series, Nirvana series.
Zinnia ‘Profusion Knee High Red Improved.’
For more: Brent Pemberton, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, (903) 834-6191;
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; http://overton.tamu.edu/flowers.
WISCONSIN
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Weather conditions at the West Madison Research Station Trial and Demonstration Garden were hot and dry, creating the need to irrigate for several weeks. Temperatures were in the high 80s in June with no significant rainfall for six weeks. Japanese beetles have been a problem on some selections.
For more: Judith Reith-Rozelle, West Madison Research Station, (608) 262-2257;
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; www.ars.wisc.edu.
- Kelli Rodda
Kelli Rodda is staff writer for GMPRO and Nursery Management & Production magazines.
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