Trial Garden 2019
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 21st and the 22nd. 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 28th through September 30th. 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 University of Delaware Farm.
Bidens ferufolia Goldilocks Rocks(R) Goldilocks Rocks Beggarticks
Average flower score: 0.9
Average foliage score: 3.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Nice flowers in early summer, nice habit. Flowers did not last into the summer well.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Bidens Campfire(R) Campfire Beggarticks
Average flower score: 2.4
Average foliage score: 4.1
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Good Flowering through July, nice compact habit
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Blackberry Punch(R) Blackberry Punch Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.1
Average foliage score: 1.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 3/7 Plants died by 8/23/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Dreamsicle(R) Dreamsicle Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.8
Average foliage score: 1.5
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Only 2/7 plants survived the summer, remaining plants in ill health.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Honeyberry(R) Honeyberry Million Bells
Average flower score: 0.9
Average foliage score: 1.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 1/7 Plants survived the summer months. Remaining plant in poor health.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Watermelon Punch(R) Watermelon Punch Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.8
Average foliage score: 2.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: All plants dead by 8/23/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Tabletop Blue(R) Tabletop Blue Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.2
Average foliage score: 1.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: All plants dead as of 9/20/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Tabletop White(R) Tabletop White Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.2
Average foliage score: 2.7
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: All plants dead as of 9/30/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Tabletop Red(R) Tabletop Red Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.2
Average foliage score: 1.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 2 Plants made it through the summer, poor health overall.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Double Orange(R) Double Orange Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.6
Average foliage score: 1.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 3 Plants survived the summer months, poor health overall.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Double Amber(R) Double Amber Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.9
Average foliage score: 1.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 3/7 Plants survived the summer months, weak to poor health.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells Double Blue(R) Double Blue Million Bells
Average flower score: 2
Average foliage score: 2.3
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 5/7 Plants survived summer, poor health overall, many pest problems.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Capsicum annum Fire Away Hot and Heavy(R) Fire Away Hot and Heavy Ornamental Pepper
Average flower score: 0.1
Average foliage score: 4.3
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Fruiting throughout the summer, peak in Late July
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Euphorbia Diamond Snow(R) Diamond Snow Spurge
Average flower score: 4.4
Average foliage score: 4.1
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Great flowering throughout the summer, withstood a large drought period.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Gaillardia aristata Heat It Up Scarlet(R) Heait It Up Scarlet Blanket Flower
Average flower score: 3.0
Average foliage score: 3.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Plant splayed out shortly after establishment, 6/7 survived the summer.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Gaillardia aristata Heat It Up Yellow(R) Heat It Up Yellow Blanket Flower
Average flower score: 2.2
Average foliage score: 3.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Plant splayed shortly after installation, 6/7 survived the summer.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Helianthus annus Suncredible(R) Suncredible Sunflower
Average flower score: 4.4
Average foliage score: 4.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Fantastic flowering throughout the summer, performed well in wet and drought periods.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Impatiens hawkeri Rockapulco Orange(R) Rockapulco Orange Impatiens
Average flower score: 3.1
Average foliage score: 4.3
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Slight foliage damage during the long drought period over the summer.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Ipomoea batatas Sweet Caroline Red Hawk(R) Sweet Caroline Red Hawk Ornamental Sweet Potato
Average flower score: 0.0
Average foliage score: 4.7
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Excellent foliage display and good habit, no insect issues even in stressed environment.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Isotoma axillaris Patti's Pink(R) Patti's Pink Laurentia
Average flower score: 1.1
Average foliage score: 2.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 1/7 survived summer months, remaining plant declining and weak.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Lantana camara Luscious Goldengate(R) Luscious Goldengate Lantana
Average flower score: 3.4
Average foliage score: 4.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Flowered throughout the summer, no pest damage.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Nemesia strumosa Aromance Pink(R) Aromance Pink Nemesia
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 4.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Nemesia strumosa Sunsatia Cranberry Red(R) Cranberry Red Nemesia
Average flower score: 0.8
Average foliage score: 2.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 3/7 died two weeks after installation, rest of grouping were in poor health throughout summer.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Osteospermum ecklonis Bright Lights Berry Rose(R) Berry Rose African Daisy
Average flower score: 2.1
Average foliage score: 2.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: All plants dead as of 8/23/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Osteospermum ecklonis Bright Lights Purple(R) Purple African Daisy
Average flower score: 0.5
Average foliage score: 1
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: All plants dead as of 7/12/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Ostespermum ecklonis Bright Lights White(R) White African Daisy
Average flower score: 2.0
Average foliage score: 2.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 6/7 Plants died as of 6/28/19, last specimen died as of 8/23/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Pentas lanceolata Sunstar Lavender(R) Lavender Starcluster
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Reflushed well with an influx of precipitation in late summer
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Pentas lanceolata Sunstar Pink(R) Pink Starcluster
Average flower score: 2.3
Average foliage score: 3.5
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Reflushed well with late summer precipitation
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Pentas lanceolata Sunstar Red(R) Red Starcluster
Average flower score: 2.4
Average foliage score: 3.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 1 plant died as of 7/26/19, rest reflushed well once the drought broke.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Pentas lanceolata Sunstar Rose(R) Rose Starcluster
Average flower score: 2.6
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Plants became very stressed in drought conditions, bounced back well.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia xhybrida Supertunia Mini Vistal Indigo(R) Mini Vistal Indigo Petunia
Average flower score: 4.6
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Insect damage noticed in the height of the drought
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia xhybrida Supertunia Raspberry Rush(R) Raspberry Rush Petunia
Average flower score: 4.2
Average foliage score: 3.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Good flowering throughout summer, foliage suffered in drought conditions.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia xhybrida Supertunia Sharon(R) Sharon Petunia
Average flower score: 4.1
Average foliage score: 4.2
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winner
Comments: An all around good selection in the world of Petunias.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia xhybrida Supertunia Vista Snowdrift(R) Vista Snowdrift Petunia
Average flower score: 4.6
Average foliage score: 4.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winner
Comments: Slight leaf damage in height of the drought.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Portulaca grandiflora Mojave Red(R) Mojave Red Pursley
Average flower score: 3.0
Average foliage score: 4.0
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Recovered and flushed well after drought conditions were broken.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Salvia Unplugged So Blue(R) So Blue Sage
Average flower score: 3.5
Average foliage score: 3.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Slight splaying noticed in mid summer.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Salvia xfarinacea Rockin' Blue Suede Shoes(R) Rockin' Blue Suede Shoes Sage
Average flower score: 1.8
Average foliage score: 3.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: At its peak, this plant never pushed the flowers as well as expected.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Scaevola aemula Whirlwind Blue(R) Whirlwind Blue Fan Flower
Average flower score: 3.1
Average foliage score: 3.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon scutellerioides ColorBlaze Wicked Hot(R) Wicked Hot Coleus
Average flower score: 0.0
Average foliage score: 3.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Splaying occurred as the drought ran along. Foliage damaged during those stressed periods.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Solenostemon scutellerioides ColorBlaze Wicked Witch(R) Wicked Witch Coleus
Average flower score: 0.0
Average foliage score: 3.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: All plants dead as of 8/23/19
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Sutera cordata Snowstorm Pink(R) Snowstorm Pink Bacopa
Average flower score: 0.3
Average foliage score: 1.4
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 3/7 Survived summer, remaining plants in poor health.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Sutera cordata Snowstorm Rose(R) Snowstorm Rose Bacopa
Average flower score: 0.7
Average foliage score: 1.9
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Poor health over the entire trial period.
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Verbena Superbena Sparkling Amethyst(R) Sparkling Amethyst Verbena
Average flower score: 1.5
Average foliage score: 2.6
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Verbena Superbena Sparkling Rose(R) Sparkling Rose Verbena
Average flower score: 0.8
Average foliage score: 1.8
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Commons Names
Botanical Name
