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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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

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:


Flower and foliage scores by date:

Commons Names

Botanical Name


Floss Flower
Ageratum houstonianum

Ornamental Onion
Allium

Summer Snapdragon
Angelonia angustifolia

Million Bells
Calibrachoa

Texas Primrose
Calylophus

Papyrus
Cyperus papyrus

Dwarf Morning Glory
Evolvulus

Blanket Flower
Gaillardia

Globe Amaranth
Gomphrena pulchella

Sunflower
Helianthus

Cherry Pie Flower
Heliotropium

South African Phlox
Jamesbrittania

Lantana
Lantana camara

Trailing Cardinal Flower
Lobelia erinus

Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima

Basil
Ocimum basilicum

Petunia
Petunia

Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides

Mealy Blue Sage
Salvia farinacea

Brazilian Vervain
Verbena bonariensis

Slender Vervain
Verbena rigida