Trial Garden 2018
Bed Preparation and Planting
A 10,000 sq. ft. area behind the Fisher Greenhouse was rototilled in the spring before planting. The soil was not amended, and the beds were mulched prior to planting with a 3-inch layer of wood chips.
Staff and volunteers planted the selections on May 24th. Seven plants of each variety were planted 1 ft. apart in rows, with 24 or 36-inch spacing between rows depending upon cultivar. The rows were organized into seven 8 ft. by 100 ft. beds.
The plant selections were organized in alphabetical order according to their botanical name, and identified by white labels listing their botanical name, cultivar, and supplier.
Maintenance
Once established, the Trial Garden received minimal maintenance. Staff irrigated the beds for the first two weeks, and applied an all-purpose soluble fertilizer (21-5-20) at planting and for the first two weeks. No supplemental watering or fertilizer was provided for the remainder of the summer, nor were insecticides or fungicides applied. Staff hand weeded as necessary. None of the trial plants were dead-headed or pruned.
Evaluations
The Horticulture Manager at UDBG evaluated the Trial Garden plants every other week from June 29 through September 28. For each of the dates, plants were awarded three scores: one based on flowering, one based on foliage, and this year we added one more category, habit. Habit evaluates how uniform the plants grow, if all 7 plants are different sizes, the score is lower, if they are all very close in size, they get a good score. Habit also takes into account how well the plant holds its form, does it splay in time? Or does it stand tall and keep form throughout the season? The overall scores for flowers and foliage represent the average of all individual scores for each category.
Weather
The following charts were generated from weather information obtained from Delaware Environmental Observing System Network at the UD Farm
Angelonia Angelface(R) Blue Imp Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 1.9
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 9/7 - Noticeable yellowing and mottled foliage
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Angelonia Angelface(R) Cascade Blue Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 1.6
Average foliage score: 3.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 8/10 - 3 died possibly due to drought conditions
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Angelonia Angelface(R) Cascade Pink Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 1.9
Average foliage score: 3.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven WInners
Comments: 7/13 thru 8/10 leaves had noticeable burn, with the rain came a reflush of foliage
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Angelonia Angelface(R) Cascade White Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 2.0
Average foliage score: 3.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 7/27 - One plant died
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Angelonia Angelface(R) Steel Blue Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 2.6
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Best performing Angelonia from this year's trial
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Angelonia Angelface(R) Wedgewood Blue Imp Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 1.9
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 8/10 - Foliage Reflush after drought conditions
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Cardinal Star Million Bells
Average flower score: 3.0
Average foliage score: 2.7
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 6/29 - 1 dead
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Evening Star Imp Million Bells
Average flower score: 3.0
Average foliage score: 2.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Holy Smokes!(TM) Million Bells
Average flower score: 3.1
Average foliage score: 3.2
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Tangerine Punch(TM) Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 3.1
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 6/29 - 1 dead
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Double(R) Chiffon(TM) Million Bells
Average flower score: 3.5
Average foliage score: 2.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Doublette Love Swept(TM) Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.6
Average foliage score: 2.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 6/29 - 1 dead 8/10 - 2 more dead
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Catharanthus rosesus Cora Cascade Shell Pink Vinca
Average flower score: 3.8
Average foliage score: 4.2
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Catharanthus rosesus Cora Cascade Violet Vinca
Average flower score: 3.9
Average foliage score: 4.2
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calendula officinalis Lady Godiva Yellow English Marigold
Average flower score: 3.2
Average foliage score: 3.1
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 9/7 - Sharp decline in overall health of plant, great performer until then
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Dahlia Grande Merida Dahlia
Average flower score: 2.3
Average foliage score: 2.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 7/13 - 2 dead
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Dahlia Dalina Mini Malta Dahlia
Average flower score: 1.6
Average foliage score: 1.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 6/29 - 1 dead 7/27 - 2 more dead 9/28 - 2 more dead
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Euphorbia Diamond Frost(R) Euphorbia
Average flower score: 4.4
Average foliage score: 3.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Prone to splaying, best if propped up by another plant or hardscape
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Gomphrena Truffula(TM) Pink Globe Amaranth
Average flower score: 4.6
Average foliage score: 4.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Prone to splaying about mid season, otherwise great plant
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Hypoestes Hippo(TM) Pink Polka Dot Plant
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Hypoestes Hippo(TM) White Polka Dot Plant
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Impatiens xhawkeri Sunpatiens Compact Purple Impatiens
Average flower score: 3.4
Average foliage score: 4.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 8/10 - Slight Leaf Burn
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Ipomoea Sweet Caroline Kiwi Ornamental Sweet Potato
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 6/29 through 7/27 - Insect Damage
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Ipomoea Sweet Caroline Raven Imp Ornamental Sweet Potato
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.5
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Lantana Luscious(R) Citrus Blend Imp Lantana
Average flower score: 4.3
Average foliage score: 4.2
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Flower Color varies over the summer
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Ocimum Amazel(TM) Basil
Average flower score: 1.8
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 7/27 through rest of season, splaying
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Osteospermum Bright Lights(R) Pink African Daisy
Average flower score: 1.7
Average foliage score: 2.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 9/7 - 2 Dead
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia Supertunia Vista(R) Paradise Petunia
Average flower score: 3.8
Average foliage score: 2.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Performed well in dryer conditions
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia Supertunia(R) White Charm Petunia
Average flower score: 3.8
Average foliage score: 2.7
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Performed well in dryer conditions
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Blue Skies Petunia
Average flower score: 3.6
Average foliage score: 2.5
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Ruellia Machu(TM) Morado Mexican Petunia
Average flower score: 2.8
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 8/10 - Heat Stress
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Salvia Rockin'(TM) Fuschia Sage
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 4.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Salvia Rockin'(TM) Golden Delicious Sage
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Scaevola Whirlwind(TM) Pink Fan Flower
Average flower score: 3.5
Average foliage score: 3.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 9/7 - 5 dead; Great early summer plant
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon ColorBlaze(R) Chocolate Drop Coleus
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.7
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 8/24 - Splaying starting
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon ColorBlaze(R) Golden Dreams(TM) Coleus
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 6/29 - 2 dead 8/10 - 2 more dead
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon ColorBlaze(R) Rediculous (TM) Coleus
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 9/28 - Mottling of foliage
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon ColorBlaze(R) Sedona Sunset(TM) Coleus
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 9/28 - Mottling of foliage
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon ColorBlaze(R) Strawberry Drop Coleus
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.7
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon ColorBlaze(R) Torchlight(TM) Coleus
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 9/28 - Splaying
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon ColorBlaze(R) Royale Cherry Brandy(TM) Coleus
Average flower score: N/A
Average foliage score: 4.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Verbena Superbena(R) Raspberry Verbena
Average flower score: 2.4
Average foliage score: 2.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 7/27 - Severe Dieback 8/24 - Reflush of Growth
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Verbena Superbena(R) Red Verbena
Average flower score: 2.2
Average foliage score: 3.2
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Verbena Superbena(R) Scarlet Star Verbena
Average flower score: 2.2
Average foliage score: 2.7
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 7/27 - Dieback, struggled to reflush
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Verbena Superbena(R) Whiteout Verbena
Average flower score: 2.0
Average foliage score: 2.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 7/27 - Severe dieback
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Commons Names
Botanical Name
