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2018 trial participants: |
Annual Flower Research at Bluegrass Lane, Ithaca, New York 2018 top performers and favorites Galleries: About the trials: Each summer the Floriculture Program at Cornell University conducts garden performance trials of annual plants at our Bluegrass Lane Research Facility adjacent to the campus in Ithaca, N.Y. (Hardiness zone 5b/6a). Every two weeks after planting outdoors, cultivars are evaluated based on foliage appearance, flower display, uniformity, and landscape value. At the end of the season, they are given an overall performance score. The plants below represent our top performers for 2018. The annual trials are featured at our summer Floriculture Field Day, at which industry professionals and educators tour the gardens and attend talks from invited speakers. The summer trials and Field day would not be possible without the help and support of our industry sponsors, who help us to cover the significant costs of continuing this program. Sponsor opportunities are offered at three levels: Bronze ($500), Silver ($1000), and Gold ($2000). If you would like to contribute to our program by becoming a sponsor, or if your company would like to participate in our trial program, please contact Kendra Hutchins (koh4@cornell.edu). Thank you! 2018 trial season We trialed approximately 150 cultivars this year at our off-campus field site, located at Bluegrass Lane in Ithaca, NY. The trials got off to a good start with lovely weather and average temperatures. Although precipitation was overall less than average for June, July, and August, we seemed to receive all of it at once, with approximately 4 inches in a one-week period at the end of July and nearly 2 inches in a single day in early August! Predictably, some genera were severely affected (Osteospermum, some Calibrachoa, some Verbena), while others thrived (Solenostmeon, Begonia, Salvia). This year we are excited to announce that we will be moving our trial site to the renowned Cornell Botanic Gardens! The trials will be located at the heart of the gardens, near the Nevin Welcome Center. We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Cornell Botanic Gardens on this endeavor; the partnership will increase exposure for participating breeders while also providing educational value for students and the public. We enthusiastically welcome all visitors to stop in and see the trials in 2019! The growers and educators who attended our annual Floriculture Field Day on August 8 chose our field day favorites, and attendees at our August 11 open house chose our Consumer favorites. We've also included trial manager Kenrda Hutchin's favorites  Floriculture Field Day attendees rated their favorite plants. Click on images for larger view. Top performers Based on our biweekly ratings. Calendula Lady Godiva Yellow, Proven Winners  Supertunia Vista Paradise, Proven Winners  French Marigold Bonanza Flame, Improved, Pan American Seed  Calibrachoa Superbells Evening Star, Proven Winners  Ipomoea FloraMia Cameo, Dümmen Orange  Coleus Main Street Ruby Road, Dümmen Orange  Ipomoea Solar Power Black Improved, Ball FloraPlant  Calibrachoa Bloomtastic Serenity, Dümmen Orange  French Marigold Bonanza Gold, Pan American Seed  Bidens Bee Bold, Ball FloraPlant  Field day favorites Based on ratings by attendees at our August 8 Floriculture Field Day. Dahlia City Lights Purple, Selecta  Angelonia Angelface Steel Blue, Proven Winners  New Guinea Impatiens SunStanding Purple, Dümmen Orange  Canna Cannova Bronze Orange, Ball Ingenuity  Scaevola Whirlwind Pink, Proven Winners 
Consumer favorites From our open house August 11. Solenostemon ColorBlaze Rediculous, Proven Winners  Canna Cannova Bronze Orange, Ball Ingenuity
Coleus Main Street La Rambla, Dümmen Orange  Zinnia Double Zahara Orange, PanAmerican Seed  Tomato Red Racer, Earthwork Seed  Trial manager's favorites Some of trial manager Kendra Hutchin's favorites Calendula Lady Godiva Yellow, Proven Winners - This beauty put out bloom after bloom all season long. It withstood heat as well as prolonged and heavy rain that devastated other varieties. It is an absolute standout in terms of garden performance, and was a favorite not only of mine, but of bees and butterflies as well.
Ipomoea FloraMia Rosso, Dümmen Orange - A unique, multi-hued Ipomoea featuring shades of rose, bronze, olive, and purple. It filled in fast, and performed well in full-sun, with lovely color all summer long.  Coleus Main Street Broad Street, Dümmen Orange - I love the color contrast on this Coleus - the deep burgundy leaves are edged with chartreuse in an elegant, eye-catching combo. The plants are compact, highly uniform, and late to flower. As far as I am concerned, this variety is the perfect Coleus.  Dahlia City Lights Purple, Selecta - With dark leaves that are reminiscent of wrought-iron and rich purple blooms ornamented with dazzling yellow pollen, this variety is the epitome of simple sophistication. It flowered beautifully all summer long, with minimal care required. Salvia Interspecific Big Blue, PanAmerican Seed - I first saw this variety at Ball Australia and was excited to have it in this year's trials; it didn't disappoint. Big Blue is a vigorous plant with showy and continuous blue blooms, a true garden powerhouse.  |
Horticulture Section, 135 Plant Sciences Bldg, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA, email: hort@cornell.edu | 607-255-4568/1789 | Fax, 607-255-9998/0599
© 2007 Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University