2018 Trial Results

2018 Trial Participants

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).

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 our top performers based on bi-weekly ratings and trial manager Kendra Hutchins’ favorites.

2018 Dümmen Orange bed
Floriculture Field Day attendees rated their favorite plants.

Top performers, based on our biweekly ratings:

Calendula Lady Godiva Yellow, Proven Winners
Calendula Lady Godiva Yellow, Proven Winners
Supertunia Vista Paradise, Proven Winners
Supertunia Vista Paradise, Proven Winners
French Marigold Bonanza Flame, Improved, Pan American Seed
French Marigold Bonanza Flame, Improved, Pan American Seed
Calibrachoa Superbells Evening Star, Proven Winners
Calibrachoa Superbells Evening Star, Proven Winners
Ipomoea FloraMia Cameo, Dümmen Orange
Ipomoea FloraMia Cameo, Dümmen Orange
Coleus Main Street Ruby Road, Dümmen Orange
Coleus Main Street Ruby Road, Dümmen Orange
Ipomoea Solar Power Black, Improved, Ball FloraPlant
Ipomoea Solar Power Black, Improved, Ball FloraPlant
Calibrachoa Bloomtastic Serenity, Dümmen Orange
Calibrachoa Bloomtastic Serenity, Dümmen Orange
French Marigold Bonanza Gold, Pan American Seed
French Marigold Bonanza Gold, Pan American Seed
Bidens Bee Bold, Ball FloraPlant
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
Dahlia City Lights Purple, Selecta
Angelonia Angelface Steel Blue, Proven Winners
Angelonia Angelface Steel Blue, Proven Winners
New Guinea Impatiens SunStanding Purple, Dümmen Orange
New Guinea Impatiens SunStanding Purple, Dümmen Orange
Canna Cannova Bronze Orange, Ball Ingenuity
Canna Cannova Bronze Orange, Ball Ingenuity
Scaevola Whirlwind Pink, Proven Winners
Scaevola Whirlwind Pink, Proven Winners

Consumer favorites, based on ratings by attendees at our August 11 open house:

Solenostemon ColorBlaze Rediculous, Proven Winners
Solenostemon ColorBlaze Rediculous, Proven Winners
Canna Cannova Bronze Orange, Ball Ingenuity
Canna Cannova Bronze Orange, Ball Ingenuity
Coleus Main Street La Rambla, Dümmen Orange
Coleus Main Street La Rambla, Dümmen Orange
Zinnia Double Zahara Orange, PanAmerican Seed
Zinnia Double Zahara Orange, PanAmerican Seed
Tomato Red Racer, Earthwork Seeds
Tomato Red Racer, Earthwork Seeds

Trial Manager Kendra Hutchins’ 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 note only of mine, but of bees and butterflies as well.

Calendula Lady Godiva Yellow, Proven Winners
Calendula Lady Godiva Yellow, Proven Winners

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.

Ipomoea FloraMia Rosso, Dümmen Orange
Ipomoea FloraMia Rosso, Dümmen Orange

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.

Coleus Main Street Broad Street, Dümmen Orange
Coleus Main Street Broad Street, Dümmen Orange

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.

Dahlia City Lights Purple, Selecta
Dahlia City Lights Purple, Selecta

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.

Salvia Interspecific Big Blue, PanAmerican Seed
Salvia Interspecific Big Blue, PanAmerican Seed