Trial Garden 2021
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 26th. 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 October 4th. For each of the dates, plants were awarded three scores: one based on flowering, one based on foliage, and 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.
Ageratum Artist(R) Pearl Floss Flower
Average flower score: 2.3
Average foliage score: 4.4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Ageratum houstonianum Artist(R) Blue Floss Flower
Average flower score: 2.4
Average foliage score: 4.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Allium AlliYUM(TM) Ornamental Onion
Average flower score: 0
Average foliage score: 4.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Angelonia angustifolia Angelface(R) Cascade Blue Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 2.1
Average foliage score: 3.7
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Angelonia angustifolia Angelface(R) Cascade Snow Summer Snapdragon
Average flower score: 1.5
Average foliage score: 3.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Double Twilight(TM) Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.75
Average foliage score: 3.9
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Double Amber(TM) Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 4.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Calylophus Ladybird(TM) Sunglow Texas Primrose
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 4.4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Calylophus Ladybird(TM) Lemonade Texas Primrose
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 4.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Cyperus papyrus Graceful Grasses Prince Tut(TM) Papyrus
Average flower score: 0.0
Average foliage score: 4.0
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Evolvulus Blue My Mind(TM) Dwarf Morning Glory
Average flower score: 2.5
Average foliage score: 4.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Gaillardia Heat It Up(R) Yellow Blanket Flower
Average flower score: 2.75
Average foliage score: 3.8
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Gaillardia Heat It Up(R) Scarlet Blanket Flower
Average flower score: 2.7
Average foliage score: 4.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Gomphrena pulchella Truffula(TM) Pink Globe Amaranth
Average flower score: 3.7
Average foliage score: 4.2
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Helianthus Suncredible(R) Yellow Sunflower
Average flower score: 3.3
Average foliage score: 4.8
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Heliotropium Augusta(R) Lavendar Cherry Pie Flower
Average flower score: 3.4
Average foliage score: 4.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Jamesbrittania Safari(R) Dawn South African Phlox
Average flower score: 1.9
Average foliage score: 3.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Jamesbrittania Safari(R) Sky South African Phlox
Average flower score: 1.8
Average foliage score: 3.0
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Lantana camara Luscious(R) Citron(TM) Lantana
Average flower score: 3.8
Average foliage score: 4.8
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Lantana camara Luscious(R) Marmalade Lantana
Average flower score: 3.6
Average foliage score: 4.7
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Lobelia erinus Laguna(R) Cloud White(TM) Trailing Cardinal Flower
Average flower score: 2.7
Average foliage score: 2.5
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Lobelia erinus Laguna(R) Sky Blue Imperial Trailing Cardinal Flower
Average flower score: 2.2
Average foliage score: 3.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Lobularia maritima Violet Knight(TM) Sweet Alyssum
Average flower score: 1.3
Average foliage score: 2.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Lobularia maritima White Knight(R) Sweet Alyssum
Average flower score: 1.2
Average foliage score: 2.4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Mildew problems starting in August
Ocimum basilicum Amazel Basil(R) Basil
Average flower score: 0
Average foliage score: 4.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Priscilla(R) Imperial Petunia
Average flower score: 2.8
Average foliage score: 3.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Mini V Hot Pink Petunia
Average flower score: 3.7
Average foliage score: 3.8
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Sharon Petunia
Average flower score: 3.5
Average foliage score: 4.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Mini V White Petunia
Average flower score: 3.4
Average foliage score: 3.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Vista(R) Snowdrift(TM) Petunia
Average flower score: 3.6
Average foliage score: 4.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Royal Velvet(R) Petunia
Average flower score: 3.6
Average foliage score: 4.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Supertunia Vista(R) Jazzberry(TM) Petunia
Average flower score: 3.9
Average foliage score: 4.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Vista(R) Bubblegum(R) Petunia
Average flower score: 4.4
Average foliage score: 4.4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Plectranthus scutellarioides ColorBlaze(R) Torchlight(R) Coleus
Average flower score: 0.1
Average foliage score: 3.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Plectranthus scutellarioides ColorBlaze(R) Newly Noir(TM) Coleus
Average flower score: 0
Average foliage score: 4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Consistently Splayed
Plectranthus scutellarioides ColorBlaze(R) El Brighto(TM) Coleus
Average flower score: 0.1
Average foliage score: 4.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Salvia farinacea Unplugged(R) So Blue(TM) Mealy Blue Sage
Average flower score: 2.6
Average foliage score: 3.4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Salvia farinacea Unplugged(R) Pink Mealy Blue Sage
Average flower score: 1.4
Average foliage score: 3.5
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Verbena bonariensis Metero Shower(R) Brazilian Vervain
Average flower score: 2.5
Average foliage score: 3.0
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Verbena Superbena(R) Whiteout(TM) Brazilian Vervain
Average flower score: 1.6
Average foliage score: 2.7
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Verbena Superbena(R) Scarlet Star Brazilian Vervain
Average flower score: 2.4
Average foliage score: 3.2
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Verbena rigida Cake Pops(TM) Pink Slender Vervain
Average flower score: 1.6
Average foliage score: 2.3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Verbena rigida Cake Pops(TM) Purple Slender Vervain
Average flower score: 2.0
Average foliage score: 2.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Verbena Superbena(R) Imperial Blue(TM) Brazilian Vervain
Average flower score: 2.3
Average foliage score: 3.8
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Commons Names
Botanical Name