Trial Garden 2022
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 July 1st through September 30th. 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. Woody plant material is scored with one overall category, taking into consideration the three categories for annuals as well as overall health and appearance of the plants themselves.
Weather
The following charts were generated from weather information obtained from Delaware Environmental Observing System Network at the University of Delaware Farm.
Begonia Surefire(R) White Begonia
Average flower score: 3.4
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:
Begonia Surefire(R) Cherry Cordial(TM) Begonia
Average flower score: 3.8
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:
Begonia Surefire(R) Red Begonia
Average flower score: 3.2
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:
Begonia Surefire(R) Rose Begonia
Average flower score: 3.6
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:
Begonia Double Up(R) Red Begonia
Average flower score: 2.7
Average foliage score: 3
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Begonia Double Up(R) White Begonia
Average flower score: 3.6
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:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Yellow Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.4
Average foliage score: 1.9
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Double Yellow Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.6
Average foliage score: 2.2
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 4 plants died during drought in late July
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Coral Sun Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.9
Average foliage score: 1.7
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 Million Bells
Average flower score: 2.4
Average foliage score: 1.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Calibrachoa Superbells(R) Prism Pink Lemonade Million Bells
Average flower score: 1.2
Average foliage score: 1.9
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: 3 dead after drought
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Coreopsis Candlelight(TM) Tickseed
Average flower score: 1.9
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 Graceful Grasses(R) Queen Tut(TM) Papyrus
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:
Cyperus Graceful Grasses(R) Prince Tut Papyrus
Average flower score: 0.3
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:
Gomphrena Truffula Pink Globe Amaranth
Average flower score: 4.6
Average foliage score: 4.5
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Helianthus Suncredible(R) Saturn Sunflower
Average flower score: 3.2
Average foliage score: 4.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Minor splaying at the end of season
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Helianthus Suncredible(R) Yellow Sunflower
Average flower score: 3.8
Average foliage score: 4.9
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: 3.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Ipomoea Sweet Caroline(R) Medusa Green Sweet Potato Vine
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:
Ipomoea Illusion(R) Penny Lace(TM) Sweet Potato Vine
Average flower score: 0
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:
Ipomoea Sweet Caroline Upside(R) Key Lime Sweet Potato Vine
Average flower score: 0
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:
Ipomoea Sweet Caroline Upside(R) Black Coffee(TM) Sweet Potato Vine
Average flower score: 0
Average foliage score: 4.9
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Juncus Graceful Grasses(R) Curly Wurly Rush
Average flower score: 0
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:
Juncus Blue Mohawk Rush
Average flower score: 0
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:
Lantana Luscious(R) Basket Tangelo(TM) Lantana
Average flower score: 3.8
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:
Lantana Luscious Royale(R) Lemon Tart(TM) Lantana
Average flower score: 4.1
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:
Lantana Luscious Royale(R) Red Zone Lantana
Average flower score: 3.6
Average foliage score: 4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Lobelia Laguna(R) Compact Blue with Eye Cardinal Flower
Average flower score: 1.3
Average foliage score: 1.6
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Muehlenbeckia Big Leaf Wire Vine
Average flower score: 0
Average foliage score: 3.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Nemesia Aromance(R) Mulberry Nemesia
Average flower score: 2.7
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:
Nemesia Aromance(R) Pink Nemesia
Average flower score: 3.1
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:
Osteospermum Bright Lights(TM) Sunset African Daisy
Average flower score: 1.9
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:
Petunia Supertunia Mini Vista(R) Yellow Petunia
Average flower score: 4.1
Average foliage score: 3.9
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Insect damage Mid-Summer
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia Supertunia Mini Vista(R) Midnight Petunia
Average flower score: 3.6
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:
Petunia Supertunia Mini Vista(R) Scarlet Petunia
Average flower score: 3
Average foliage score: 3.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia Supertunia Mini Vista(R) Hot Pink Petunia
Average flower score: 3.5
Average foliage score: 3.1
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia Supertunia Mini Vista(R) Pink Star Petunia
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:
Petunia Supertunia Mini Vista(R) White Petunia
Average flower score: 2.9
Average foliage score: 1.9
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Petunia Supertunia(R) Persimmon Petunia
Average flower score: 2.8
Average foliage score: 2.9
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 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:
Plectranthus ColorBlaze(R) Mini Me(TM) Watermelon Coleus
Average flower score: 0
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:
Plectranthus ColorBlaze(R) Pineapply Brandy Coleus
Average flower score: 0
Average foliage score: 3.8
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Color Faded throughout the season
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Plectranthus ColorBlaze(R) Torchlight Coleus
Average flower score: 0
Average foliage score: 3.9
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments: Drought damage in early August
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Portulaca Mojave(R) Yellow Spurge
Average flower score: 3.5
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:
Salvia Rockin'(R) Deep Purple Sage
Average flower score: 2.9
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:
Salvia Rockin'(R) Blue Suede Shoes Sage
Average flower score: 2.1
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 Unplugged(R) Pink Sage
Average flower score: 2
Average foliage score: 2.4
Average plant score (for woody plants):
Light condition: Full Sun
Source: Proven Winners
Comments:
Flower and foliage scores by date:
Tradescantia Proven Accents(R) Purple Queen Spiderwort
Average flower score: 0.4
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:
Commons Names
Botanical Name
