2000 Annual Report

Horticulture Section

Dickinson Research Extension Center
1089 State Avenue
Dickinson, ND 58601

1999 CULTIVAR TRIALS OF BEDDING PLANTS



Barbara A. Laschkewitsch
Agriculture Research Specialist, Department of Plant Sciences

Dr. Ronald C. Smith
Extension Horticulturist, Department of Plant Sciences


SUMMARY


Introduction

The Plant Sciences Department conducted performance trials on over 400 annual bedding plants during the 1999 growing season at North Dakota State University. In Fargo, the main trials are located in the plots on the west side of campus along 18th Street North. A trial garden is also located at the research station on State Avenue in Dickinson, ND. The weather and soil in Dickinson are considerably different than the Fargo site. The Fargo plots consist of a heavy clay soil while Dickinson has a much lighter soil and typically a drier climate.

Culture

Cultivars evaluated at both sites were seeded in Jiffy Mix® 1 in the Horticulture and Forestry greenhouses on the NDSU campus January through April. The only exception was geraniums from Oglevee, which were received as rooted cuttings. When at the proper stage, seedlings were transplanted into cell packs containing Sunshine Mix® #1. Twelve plants of each cultivar were transplanted into the field at the Fargo site June 2-3, 1999. Plants were immediately watered in with Sterns Miracle-Gro® (15-30-15) water soluble fertilizer which was applied twice more during the growing season. In Dickinson, plants were set out May 27th, 1999, and were also watered in with Miracle-Gro®. The Dickinson planting once again served as a hands-on workshop for area county extension agents.

At both stations, overhead irrigation was applied as needed and weeding was done by hand. SurflanTM was applied for weed control and insecticides were applied on an as-needed basis. The only noticeable insect problems in Fargo in 1999 were potato beetles on the nicotiana and sunflower beetles on the sunflower.

Weather Data

There were no major weather events at the Fargo station this year. For the first time since 1996, no part of the trial beds were flooded or saturated for any period of time. August and September did receive higher rainfall than normal but that did not adversely affect any of the cultivars. The first mild frost came on October 1 which is very typical for the Fargo area.

The only adverse weather event in Dickinson this year was a hail storm which hit on August 15th. The bulk of the hail was north of the plots, however, and only minor damage, particularly on the sunflower cultivars, was seen in the trial beds. Dickinson had its first killing frost September 27th.

Table 1-1999 June-September Average Temperature and Precipitation for Fargo, ND. 2



Temperature (°F) Precipitation (inches)
Average
1999
Average
1960-1990
Totals
1999
Average
1960-1990
June 66.5 69 2.72 2.82
July 72 71.1 1.93 2.7
August 69 68.9 4.24 2.43
September 55.5 57.7 5.8 1.99

 

Table 2-1999 June-September Average Temperature and Precipitation for Dickinson, ND. 2



Temperature (°F) Precipitation (inches)
Average
1999
Average
1960-1990
Totals
1999
Average 
1960-1990
June 61.5 62.5 1.85 3.63
July 70 68.7 .76 2.11
August 68.5 67.2 2.99 1.68
September 53 NA 1.83 NA


Evaluations

Plants were evaluated twice over the season for height, spread, vigor, bloom quality, uniformity, and overall appearance. In Fargo, the first evaluation took place July 19th and 20th while the second was August 18th through the 25th, 1999. The Dickinson trials were evaluated on July 7th during field days at the experiment station and August 18th, 1999.

Following are cultivars that were performing the best at each station over the course of the entire season. Cultivars listed here had good bloom, uniformity, vigor and a nice overall appearance. They are in alphabetical order.

 

1999 Top Performers

Fargo

Antirrhinum majus 'Bells Mixture' (GS) (3)
A. majus '
LaBella Mix' (GS)
A. majus 'Light Pink Ribbon' (GS)
Asclepias curassavica 'Red Butterfly' (Pk)
A. curassavica 'Silky Gold' (Pk)
Begonia semperflorens as a group
Celosia 'New Look' (Ben)
Celosia 'Prestige Scarlet'(AAS 97)
Cosmos sulphureus 'Cosmic Orange' (Ben, AAS 00)
Cuphea x purpurea (Pk)
Dianthus chinensis 'Telstar Picotee' (AAS 98)
D. chinensis 'Melody Pink' (AAS 00)
Gazania splendens 'Talent' (Pk)
Gomphrena globosa 'Bicolor Rose' (JSS)
Impatiens wallerana 'Accent Lilac' (GS)
I. wallerana 'Accent Watermelon' (GS)
I. wallerana 'Carnival Orange' (Da)
I. wallerana 'Mosaic Rose' (GS)
Lobularia maritima as a group
Melampodium paludosum 'Showstar' (Ben)
Nicotiana affinis 'Havana Lilac Rose' (Da)
Nierembergia 'Mont Blanc' (AAS 93)
Pelargonium x hortorum as a group
Petunia hybrida 'Fantasy Carmine' (GS)
P. hybrida 'Fantasy Pink' (GS)
P. hybrida 'Fantasy Salmon' (GS)
P. hybrida 'PrimeTime Rose' (GS)
P. hybrida 'Misty Lilac Wave' (Bur)
Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' (AAS 95)
R. hirta
'Sonora' (Ben)
Salvia splendens 'Salsa Light Purple' (GS)
S. splendens 'Salsa Scarlet' (GS)
Tagetes erecta as a group
Verbena x hybrida 'Novalis Deep Blue/White Eye' (Ben, AAS 89)
Zinnia hybrid 'Profusion Orange' (AAS 99)


Dickinson

Antirrhinum majus 'Crimson Ribbon' (GS)
A. majus 'White Ribbon' (GS)
Catharanthus roseus 'Pacifica Polka Dot' (WFS)
Celosia 'New Look' (Ben)
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Bubble Gum'(Ogl)
P. x hortorum 'Evening Glow' (Ogl)
P. x hortorum 'Maverick Scarlet' (GS)
P. x hortorum 'Maverick Violet' (GS)
P. x hortorum 'Maverick White' (GS)
Petunia hybrida 'Purple Wave' (AAS 95)
Portulaca grandiflora 'Sundial Peach'(AAS 99)
Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' (AAS 95)
R. hirta 'Sonora' (Ben)
Salvia farinacea 'Strata' (AAS 96)
S. splendens 'Salsa Purple' (GS)
Tagetes erecta 'Antigua Orange'(GS)
Zinnia hybrida 'Peter Pan Mix' (GS)

 

Field Days

The second annual flower, ornamental grasses, and turfgrass field day was held August 7th, 1999, at the Fargo plots. This annual event is open to the general public, growers, and industry people. The Dickinson experiment station holds tours of the display gardens in conjunction with field days there.

The trial garden at NDSU is an official All-America Selections display garden and is open to the public throughout the growing season. Also on display are over 300 perennials that are evaluated over the season for bloom, vigor, winter hardiness and general overall quality. In 1998, the daylily bed was designated as an official display garden of the American Hemerocallis Society and there are currently over 150 cultivars of daylily on display with more to be added in 2000.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank official supporters of our 1999 trial gardens: Daehnfeldt, Inc.; Ernst Benary of America, Inc.; Grimes Seed; Oglevee, Ltd.; Goldsmith Seeds, Inc.; and Waller Flowerseed Company. We hope the results from our trial gardens are beneficial in their research for new and improved flower cultivars.

Frost Tolerances

After a mild frost (30°F) on the night of October 1st, notes were taken in the Fargo trials on cultivar reactions to the temperature. The following table shows how each cultivar reacted to the low night temperature.

Frost Tolerances-Fargo Trial Garden

Low tolerance-almost dead Low to medium tolerance Medium to high tolerance High tolerance-no damage
Ammi visagna 'Green Mist' Ageratum 'Hawaii Royal' Ageratum 'Blue Hawaii' Agastache cana 'Heather Queen'
Begonia 'Ambassador Scarlet Improved' Ageratum 'White Hawaii' Ageratum 'Blue Horizon' Ageratum 'Blue Lagoon'
Begonia 'Inferno White' Begonia 'Alfa Mix' Ageratum 'Capri' Antirrhinum majus-All cultivars
Begonia 'Senator Rose' Begonia 'Ambassador Mix' Ageratum 'Neptune Blue' Asclepias 'Red Butterfly'
Begonia 'Super Olympia White' Begonia 'Ambassador Salmon' Ageratum 'True Blue' Brassica oleracea-All cultivars
Begonia 'Victory Bronze Leaf Pink' Begonia 'Ambassador White' Asclepias 'Silky Gold' Calendula officinalis
Begonia 'Victory B. L. Scarlet' Begonia 'A. W. Salmon Red Marg' Begonia 'All Round Mix' Capsicum annuum
Begonia 'Victory B. L. White' Begonia 'Cocktail' Begonia 'Ambassador Rose' Cleome hassleriana
Begonia 'Victory Green Leaf Pink' Begonia 'Espresso Mix' Begonia 'Ambassador Soft Pink' Cosmos bipinnatus 'Tickle Pink'
Begonia 'V. G. L. Scarlet' Begonia 'Inferno Mix' Begonia 'Inferno Pink' Dianthus chinensis-All cultivars
Begonia 'V. G. L. White' Begonia 'Inferno Rose-Bronze Leaf' Begonia 'Inferno Red' Diascia barberae 'Pink Queen'
Begonia 'Vodka' Begonia 'Party Pink' Begonia 'Inferno Rose-Green Leaf' Eucalyptus cinerea
Begonia tuberhybrida 'Fortune Mix' Begonia 'Party Red' Begonia 'Party White' Eustoma 'Echo Blue'
B. tuberhybrida 'Pin-up Flame' Begonia 'Partyfun' Begonia 'Senator White' Eustoma 'Echo Mix'
Callistephus chinensis cultivars Begonia 'Queen Pink' Begonia 'Super Olympia Coral' Eustoma 'Echo Pink'
Canna 'Tropical Red' Begonia 'Queen White' Begonia 'Super Olympia Pink' Eustoma 'Echo Pink Picotee'
Canna 'Tropical Rose' Begonia 'Senator Deep Rose' Campanula longistylla Eustoma 'Lizzy Blue'
Celosia 'Amigo Mahogany Red' Begonia 'Senator Mix' Catharanthus 'Caribbean Lavender' Eustoma 'Lizzy White'
Celosia 'Amigo Mix' Begonia 'Senator Pink' Catharanthus 'Heat Wave' series Gaillardia 'Red Plume'
Celosia 'New Look' Begonia 'Senator Scarlet' Catharanthus 'Pacifica Apricot' Gazania- All cultivars
Celosia'Prestige Scarlet' Begonia 'Super Olympia Light Pink' Catharanthus 'Pacifica Burgundy' Gerbera- All cultivars
Cosmos sulphureus 'Cosmic Yellow' Begonia 'Super Olympia Mix' Catharanthus 'Pacifica Lipstick' Gomphrena haageana 'Strawberry Fields'
Impatiens wallerana-All cultivars Begonia 'Super Olympia Red' C. spicata 'Flamingo Feather' Gypsophila muralis 'Gypsy'
Linaria-All cultivars Begonia 'Super Olympia Rose' Cosmos sulphureus 'Cosmic Orange' Helichrysum bracteatum 'Bikini Mix'
Lupinus nanus 'Pixie Delight' Begonia 'Victory Green Leaf Rose' Dahlia 'Sunny White' Kniphofia uvaria 'Flamenco'
Melampodium paludosum 'Derby' Begonia 'V. G. L. Rose Bicolor' Eustoma 'Heidi Hybrid' Laurentia axillaris 'Blue Stars'
M. paludosum 'Million Gold' Canna 'Bengal Tiger' Eustoma 'Lizzy Pink' Lavandula angustifolia 'Lady'
Pentas lanceolata-All cultivars Catharanthus 'Apricot Delight' Gomphrena globosa-All cultivars Limonium sinuatum 'Light Blue'
Portulaca grandiflora-All cultivars Catharanthus 'Mediterranean Deep Rose' Gypsophila muralis 'Garden Bride' L. sinuatum 'Premium Mix'
Salvia splendens 'Firecracker Red' Catharanthus 'Pacifica Mixed Improved' Incarvilla sinensis 'Cheron' L. sinuatum 'Sinuata Mix'
S. splendens 'Salsa Rose Bicolor' Catharanthus 'Pacifica Pink' Limonium sinuatum 'Soiree Mix' Lobelia erinus 'Fountain Mix'
S. splendens 'Salsa Salmon' Catharanthus 'Pacifica Polka Dot Improved' Nicotiana affinis 'Havana Lilac Rose' Lobularia maritima-All cultivars
S. splendens 'Salsa Salmon Bicolor' Catharanthus 'Stardust Orchid' N. affinis 'Havana Mix' Malope trifida 'Pink Queen'
S. splendens 'Salsa Scarlet Bicolor' Catharanthus 'Trailing Lilac' N. affinis 'Havana True Lime' Monarda x hybrida 'Lambada'
S. splendens 'Salsa White' Catharanthus 'Trailing White' N. affinis 'Havana White' Nicotiana affinis 'Havana Appleblossom'
Solenostemon scutellarioides-All cultivars Celosia spicata 'Pink Candle' N. affinis 'Saratoga' series N. affinis 'Havana Carmine Rose'
Tithonia rotundifolia-All cultivars C. spicata 'Purple Flamingo' Pelargonium 'Cotton Candy' Nierembergia 'Mont Blanc'
Torenia 'Clown Formula Mix' Cosmos sulphureus 'Lemon Twist' Pelargonium 'Evening Glow' Osteospermum 'Passion Mix'
Torenia 'Duchess Light Blue' Cuphea purpurea 'Firefly' Pelargonium 'Fireball' Pelargonium 'Bubble Gum'
Torenia 'Duchess Pink' Dahlia 'Figaro Mix' Pelargonium 'Maverick Scarlet' Pelargonium 'Jessica'
Zinnia elegans 'Blue Point Formula Mix' Dahlia 'Garden Pride' Pelargonium 'Maverick Violet' Pelargonium 'Kim'
Z. elegans 'Short Stuff Mix' Helichrysum monstrosum-All cultivars Pelargonium 'Maverick White' Pelargonium 'Lucille'
Z. hybrid 'Pinwheel Mix' Hibiscus sabdariffa Pelargonium 'North Star' Pelargonium 'Maureen'
  Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Confetti Mix' Pelargonium 'Patriot Light Pink' Pelargonium 'Maverick Coral'
  Lavatera trimestris 'Mont Blanc' Pelargonium 'Patriot Violet' Pelargonium 'Maverick Light Salmon'
  Leonotis leonarus 'Staircase' Pelargonium 'Peaches' Pelargonium 'Maverick Pink'
  Limonium sinuatum 'Friendly Yellow' Pelargonium 'Raspberry Ice' Pelargonium 'Maverick Red'
  Lobelia erinus 'Palace Blue with Eye' Pelargonium 'Sincerely Yours' Pelargonium 'Maverick Salmon'
  Melampodium paludosum 'Showstar' Petunia 'Celebrity Carmine' Pelargonium 'Maverick Star'
  Salvia splendens 'Salsa Burgundy' Petunia 'Celebrity Chiffon Morn' Pelargonium 'Multibloom Capri'
  S. splendens 'Salsa Light Purple' Petunia 'Celebrity Just Pink Mix' Pelargonium 'Multibloom Light Salmon'
  S. splendens 'Salsa Rose' Petunia 'Misty Lilac Wave' Pelargonium 'Patriot Cherry Rose'
  S. splendens 'Salsa Scarlet' Petunia 'Ultra Blue' Pelargonium 'Sassy Dark Red'
  Tagetes erecta 'American Indian Yellow' Petunia 'Ultra Crimson Star' Pennisetum spp.
  T. erecta 'Antigua Orange' Petunia 'Ultra Lilac' Petunia 'Celebrity Desert Sky Mix'
  T. erecta 'Antigua Primrose' Petunia 'Ultra Limited Edition Mix' Petunia ' Celebrity Niagara Mix'
  T. erecta 'Antigua Yellow' Petunia 'Ultra Peppermint' Petunia 'Fantasy' series
  T. erecta 'Atlantis' series Petunia 'Ultra Plum' Petunia 'Pink Wave'
  T. erecta 'Discovery' series Petunia 'Ultra Sky Blue' Petunia 'PrimeTime' series
  T. erecta 'Excel Mix' Petunia 'Ultra White' Petunia 'Prism Sunshine'
  T. erecta 'French Vanilla Hybrid' Phlox 'Crystal Blue with White' Petunia 'Purple Wave'
  T. erecta 'Inca Orange' Rudbeckia 'Toto' Petunia 'Rose Wave'
  T. erecta 'Perfection Yellow' Salvia splendens 'Salsa Mix' Petunia 'Storm' series
  T. patula 'Janie Gold' S. splendens 'Salsa Purple' Petunia 'Titan Mix'
  T. patula 'Little Hero Fire' Tagetes erecta 'American Indian Gold' Petunia 'Ultra Pink'
  T. patula 'Little Hero Harmony' T. erecta 'American Indian Orange' Petunia 'Ultra Red'
  Torenia 'Duchess Deep Blue' T. erecta 'Antigua Gold' Petunia 'Ultra Rose'
  Tropaeolum 'Alaska' T. erecta 'Inca Gold' Petunia 'Ultra Salmon'
  Tropaeolum 'Jewel of Africa' T. erecta 'Inca Yellow' Petunia 'Ultra Scarlet'
  Tropaeolum 'Moonlight' T. erecta 'Perfection Gold' Rudbeckia 'Indian Summer'
  Zinnia elegans 'Dahlia Flowered Mix' T. erecta 'Perfection Mix' Rudbeckia 'Sonora'
  Z. elegans 'Peter Pan Mix' T. erecta Perfection Orange' Salpiglossis 'Royal Mix Hybrid'
  Z. hybrid 'Profusion Orange' T. patula 'Aurora Mix' Salvia farinacea-All cultivars
    T. patula 'Bonanza Bolero' Senecio cineraria-All cultivars
    T. patula 'Hero Flame Improved' Stipa tenuissima
    T. patula 'Hero Orange Improved' Tagetes patula 'Hero Bee'
    T. patula 'Hero Yellow' T. patula 'Safari Yellow'
    T. patula 'Janie Mixed' T. tenuifolia-All cultivars
    T. patula 'Little Hero Flame' Verbena canadensis 'Perfecta'
    T. patula 'Little Hero Orange' V. x hybrida-All cultivars
    T. patula 'Little Hero Yellow' V. tenuisecta 'Imagination'
    T. patula 'Safari Mix' Viola cornuta-All cultivars
    T. patula 'Safari Tangerine' Viola hybrid 'Babyface Yellow'
    T. patula 'Troubadour Yellow' V. wittrockiana-All cultivars
    Tropaeolum 'Whirlybird Blend' Wahlenbergia 'Melton Bluebird'
    Zinnia angustifolia 'Crystal White' Zinnia angustifolia 'Golden Orange'
    Z. hybrid 'Profusion Cherry' Z. angustifolia 'Mix'
      Z. angustifolia 'Star Gold'

After 22°F on the night of October 2nd, the following plants still looked good: Antirrhinum majus , Brassica oleracea, some Dianthus, Diascia barberae, Gaillardia pulchella, Kniphofia uvaria, Lavandula angustifolia, some Lobularia, Malope trifida, Salvia farinacea, Senecio cineraria 'Silverdust', Stipa tenuissima, a few Verbena, Viola spp., and Wahlenbergia undulata.

 

1999 BEDDING PLANT TRIALS RESULTS

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCES
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
FARGO, ND


Note- Cultivar measurements that have a next to them indicate varieties that were performing particularly well during that evaluation period. Parenthesis ( ) indicate missing data. Seed sources are indicated by abbreviations at end of cultivar names. The seed source list can be found on the last page of the report.
 

Agastache cana-Agastache. This is a perennial in zones 7-10 but can be treated as an annual in the upper great plains. By August, this plant was one of the top performers in the trial bed, producing a nice mass of mauve colored spikes. It was easy to grow , can be used as a cut flower and attracts butterflies.

  Fargo  
  July 19 August 20 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Heather Queen-Pk 10-24" 8-12" 24-30" 12-20" Mauve spikes; Lacked uniformity early; floriferous, healthy and full during second evaluation


Ageratum houstonianum-Ageratum, Flossflower. These performed well this year. Although more dead heads were evident in August, that didn't detract too much from their overall appearance.
  Fargo Dickinson  
  July 19 August 20 July 7 August 18 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Blue Hawaii-Bod 4" 6-8" 4" 10-12" -- -- -- -- Fargo -Blue; Uniform and floriferous; looks good
Dickinson
-Not tested
Blue Horizon-Pk 10-12 12 12 12-15 -- -- -- -- F-Blue; Uniform, floriferous, full, nice
D
-Not tested
Blue Lagoon-Pk 4-6 6-10 4-6 8-15 -- -- -- -- F-Blue; Not as floriferous or uniform as others
D
-Not tested
Capri-GS 6-8 6-8 6-8 8-10 -- -- -- -- F-Light blue-white center; Nice color; fairly uniform
D -Not tested
Hawaii Royal-Pk 4-6 6-8 4-6 6-10 -- -- -- -- F-Lavender; Did alright
D-Not tested
Neptune Blue-GS 4 6-10 4-6 6-10 4" 6-9" 3-4" 6-8" F-Blue; Uniform in height but not spread
D -Purple blue; good flower density and uniformity
True Blue-Gri 4-8 6-10 4-8 6-15 4 2-5 3-4 4-6 F-Blue; Not as uniform as others but floriferous
D -Purple blue; lacking uniformity
White Hawaii-Bod 6 8-10 6-8 8-15 -- -- -- -- F-White; Dead heads more obvious on the white
D -Not tested


Amaranthus tricolor
-Summer Poinsettia
.
  Fargo  
  July 19 August 19 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Aurora-Pk 6-10" 6-8" 6-10" 6-10" Golden yellow 'bracts'; Never did too well; tips of leaves were scorched looking; no vigor
Illumination-Pk 4-10 6-8 6 6 Red 'bracts'; bronze foliage; Only 2 of 6 plants alive at the second evaluation; leaves also scorched looking


Ammi visagna-Queen Anne's Lace.
  Fargo  
  July 19 August 20 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Green Mist-Pk 12" 12" 12-18" 18-20" White; Floriferous, uniform, and full especially in July; not blooming quite as well in August


Antirrhinum majus-Snapdragon. The snapdragons did well in Fargo over the course of the summer with no major insect or disease problems. 'Bells Mix', 'LaBella Mix', and 'Light Pink Ribbon' looked the best over the course of the season. In Dickinson, 'Crimson Ribbon' looked particularly nice in July; the snaps received overall lower ratings in August due to a decline in bloom.
  Fargo Dickinson  
  July 19 August 20 July 7 August 18 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Bells Mixture-GS 6" 6-8" 6" 8-10" 6-9" 8-10" 3-6" 4-12" Fargo -Mix of colors; Uniform and floriferous both evaluations
Dickinson-Not as uniform as in Fargo but nice color mass
Chimes Mixture-GS 4-6 6-8 4-6 6-10 6-9 8-10 6 4-8 F-Mix of colors; Blooming better the second evaluation
D -Less color than 'Bells Mix' but more uniform
Crimson Ribbon-GS 10-12 6-10 6-15 8-10 12-14 6-8 12-14 8-12 F-Deep velvet red; Between peak bloom both evaluation times
D -Striking color and vigorous 1st evaluation; past peak bloom by the 2nd
LaBella Mixture-GS 8-10 8-10 10-15 8-10 10-14 8-10 10-14 8-12 F-Mix of colors; Uniform, full spikes; good color variety
D -Good color mass early; past peak bloom in August
Lavender Ribbon-GS 10-12 6-8 8-10 8-10 8-14 4-8 8-14 10-12 F-Mauvey lavender; Nice color, uniform and floriferous, nicer in August
D -Lacked uniformity early, past peak bloom by August
Liberty Mix-GS 10-12 6-10 10-15 8-10 -- -- -- -- F-Mix of colors; Didn't bloom as well as LaBella Mix
D -Not tested
Light Pink Ribbon-GS 10-12 8-10 10-12 8-10 10-14 6-8 12-14 8-10 F-Pink-yellow throat; Uniform and floriferous both evaluation times
D -Nice and healthy
Purple Ribbon-GS 10-14 8-10 12-15 8-10 10-16 8-10 12-14 10-12 F-Deep velvet fuchsia; Nice color, uniform, healthy, vigorous
D-Healthy, past peak bloom the second evaluation
Rose Ribbon-GS 10-14 8-10 8-14 8-10 10-14 8-10 12-14 10 F-Rose; Nice color, blooming especially well in August
D -Uniform and healthy
White Ribbon-GS 10-12 8-10 8-10 8-10 10-14 ( ) 14 10 F-Creamy white; Didn't bloom as well as the others
D -Good uniformity and color mass-especially during the first evaluation
Yellow Ribbon-GS 10-12 8-10 8-14 10-12 10-14 ( ) 14 10-12 F-Yellow; Didn't bloom as well later in the season but looked good in July
D -Good color mass during July-less in August


Asclepias curassavica-Bloodflower, Butterfly Flower. This is the second year we've grown A. curassavica and it has done well both years. 'Red Butterfly' is a little more showy but both cultivars have been healthy, vigorous and floriferous all season.
  Fargo  
  July 19 August 20 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Red Butterfly-Pk 12-14" 10-12" 15" 12" Orange bracts, golden centers; Uniform, healthy, floriferous all season
Silky Gold-Pk 12-14 10-12 20 12 Golden flowers; Uniform, healthy and vigorous all season, also


Begonia semperflorens-Wax Begonia. Once again, the wax begonias performed very well in Fargo and very poorly in Dickinson. Some that stood out in Fargo included the 'Party' series and 'Super Olympia' series as well as some of the 'Ambassador' series. 'Party Pink' was by far the top performer in Fargo. In Dickinson, 'Victory Green Leaf Rose' was the best performing wax begonia.
  Fargo Dickinson  
Wax Begonia July 19 August 20 July 7 August 18 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Alfa Mix-Da 6-8" 6-8" 6-8" 8-10" -- -- -- -- Fargo -Mix of colors; Not as uniform as some others but good bloom
Dickinson-Not tested
All Round Mix-Da 6-10 8-10 10 10-12 -- -- -- -- F-Mix of colors; Uniform and floriferous, especially in August
D-Not tested
Ambassador Mix-Da 6 6 6 6-8 -- -- -- -- F-Mix of colors; Not as vigorous or uniform as others
D-Not tested
Ambassador Rose-Da 6 8 8 10 -- -- -- -- F-Deep rose, green leaves-bronze tips; Uniform and floriferous all season
D-Not tested
Ambassador Salmon-Da 3-8 4-8 8 6-8 -- -- -- -- F-Reddish-salmon; Didn't bloom as well in August but uniformity was good
D-Not tested
Ambassador Scarlet Imp.-Da 3-6 4-8 8 8-10 -- -- -- -- F-Red, green leaves-bronze tips; Floriferous all season, one really small plant
D-Not tested
Ambassador Soft Pink-Da 4-6 6-8 4-8 6-10 -- -- -- -- F-Pale pink, green leaves; Lacked uniformity compared to others
D-Not tested
Ambassador White-Da 6-8 8 6 6-8 -- -- -- -- F-White, green leaves; Uniform and floriferous all season
D-Not tested
Ambassador White/
Salmon Red Margin-Da
6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8 -- -- -- -- F-Pale, pale pink-pink margin; Uniform early, lacked vigor compared to others
D-Not tested
Cocktail-Ben 6-8 6-8 8 8 -- -- -- -- F-Mix, bronze leaves; Uniform and floriferous, especially in August
D-Not tested
Espresso Mix-Da 4-6 3-8 4-8 6-8 -- -- -- -- F-Mix; Not as uniform or vigorous as most others
D-Not tested
Inferno Mix-Da 6-8 6-8 6-8 8-10 -- -- -- -- F-Mix, green leaves with bronze tips; Poor color mix, did alright
D-Not tested
Inferno Pink-Da 8 8 10 10-12 -- -- -- -- F-Dark pink, green leaves with bronze tips; Uniform, floriferous, vigorous, etc.
D-Not tested
Inferno Red-Da 6-8 6-8 10 10-12 -- -- -- -- F-Red, green leaves; Better bloom in August, vigorous, healthy
D-Not tested
Inferno Rose/Bronze Leaf-Da 8 8 10 10 -- -- -- -- F-Not as floriferous as others but very uniform
D-Not tested
Inferno Rose/Green Leaf-Da 8 8 10 10-12 -- -- -- -- F-Uniform, healthy but bloomed better in August
D-Not tested
Inferno White-Da 8 8-10 8-10 10-12 -- -- -- -- F-White, green leaves; Not as floriferous as others and dead heads more evident
D-Not tested
Party Pink-Ben 8 8 10-12 10-12 6-8" 3-4" 6-8" 6-7" F-Dark pink, bronze leaves; Was really impressed with this one-nice!
D-Not bad-did well for Dickinson
Party Red-Ben 3-6 4-8 6-8 8-10 3-6 3-6 6 5-6 F-Red, bronze leaves; Lacked uniformity in size early but by August was nice
D-Did alright
Party White-Ben 10 10 12 12 1-6 3-4 4-8 4-6 F-White, bronze leaves; Uniform, floriferous, nice all season
D-Best of the white begonias in Dickinson plots
Partyfun-Ben 10 8-10 10 10-12 -- -- -- -- F-Mix of colors, green leaves; Uniform, floriferous, nice all season
D-Not tested
Queen Pink-Da 6-8 8-10 10-12 10-12 -- -- -- -- F-Pink, double flowers, green leaves; Not as floriferous as the single flowered
D-Not tested
Queen White-Da 3-8 3-8 4-8 6-10 -- -- -- -- F-White, double flowers; Not as uniform or floriferous as others
D-Not tested
Senator Deep Rose-Da 8 6-8 8 8-10 -- -- -- -- F-Deep pink, bronze leaves; Uniform, floriferous, healthy all season
D-Not tested
Senator Mix-Da 4-6 4-6 4-6 6-8 -- -- -- -- F-Mix of colors, bronze foliage; Floriferous but poor color mix
D-Not tested
Senator Pink-Da 4-8 4-8 6-8 6-8 -- -- -- -- F-Dark pink, bronze leaves; Not as uniform early but floriferous, uniform later
D-Not tested
Senator Rose-Da 4-8 6-8 4-8 6-10 -- -- -- -- F-Deep rose, bronze leaves; Not as vigorous or uniform as others
D-Not tested
Senator Scarlet-Da 4-6 4-6 4-6 4-6 -- -- -- -- F-Red, green leaves with bronze edges; Not as vigorous or uniform as others
D-Not tested
Senator White-Da 8 8 8 10 -- -- -- -- F-White, bronze leaves; Uniform and floriferous
D-Not tested
Super Olympia Coral-Ben 4-6 6 6 6-8 3-6 3-4 4-6 4 F-Red-salmon, green leaves; Uniform, floriferous, healthy, nice all season
D-Good flower production and average vigor
Super Olympia Light Pink-Ben 6-8 6-8 8 8 -- -- -- -- F-Pale pink, green leaves; Uniform, healthy, vigorous all season
D-Not tested
Super Olympia Mix-Ben 8 8 8 8-10 -- -- -- -- F-Mix, green and green with bronze leaves; Floriferous, healthy, uniform
D-Not tested
Super Olympia Pink-Ben 4-6 6-8 6-8 8-10 4-6 3-4 5-6 5 F-Dark pink, green leaves; Floriferous, uniform and healthy all season
D-Nice flowers on small, uniform plants
Super Olympia Red-Ben 6-8 6-8 4-8 8-10 3-6 3-4 4 3-4 F-Red, green leaves; Not quite as uniform as others but still a nice floral show
D-Nice flower color, bloomed well
Super Olympia Rose-Ben 6-10 4-8 6-10 8-10 3-4 3-6 5-6 4-5 F-Deep rose, green leaves; Not as uniform as others but floriferous and healthy
D-Nice color; bloomed well,
Super Olympia White-Ben 4-6 6-8 4-8 8-10 3-4 2-3 4 3-4 F-White, green leaves; One of the nicer whites, not as uniform but floriferous
D-Poor bloom and vigor
Victory Pink-BronzeLeaf-GS 6 6 6-8 8-10 3-4 3-4 ( ) ( ) F-Pink, bronze leaves; Not as uniform or floriferous as others
D-Poor show
Victory Pink-Green Leaf-GS 6 6 8 8-10 3-4 2-3 4 3-4 F-Pink, green leaves; Nice, full, healthy, vigorous plants
D-Poor flower show and no vigor
Victory Rose Bicolor-Green Leaf-GS 6 6-8 6 10 3-4 3-4 4-5 4-5 F-Salmon pink, green leaves; Floriferous but lacked uniformity; some leaf burn
D -Not too bad for Dickinson; good show of flowers
Victory Rose-Green Leaf-GS 6-8 6-8 4-8 6-8 3-4 3-4 5-6 4-6 F-Deep rose; Floriferous but not as uniform as some others
D -Most floriferous of the wax begonias in the Dickinson plots
Victory Scarlet-Bronze Leaf-GS 3-6 4-8 6-8 6-8 2-4 2-4 2-4 4 F-Red, bronze leaves; Despite leaf burn early, turned into a nice show later
D -No vigor and few blooms
Victory Scarlet -Green Leaf-GS 3-6 4-8 6-8 6-8 3-4 3-4 3-4 4 F-Red, green leaves; Lacked uniformity early, healthy and vigorous by August
D-Uniform but no vigor-small plants
Victory White-Bronze Leaf-GS 3-6 3-6 3-6 3-8 2-4 2-6 2-4 3-4 F-White, bronze leaves; Least vigorous of white begonias, dull color
D -Good show early for whites, no vigor later
Victory White-Green Leaf-GS 3-6 4-8 4-8 6-10 2-3 3-4 4 4 F-White, green leaves; Lacked uniformity but floriferous
D -Lacked vigor and poor flower show
Vodka-Ben 2-6 3-8 2-6 3-10 2-6 3-6 4-6 6 F-Red, bronze leaves; Floriferous but lacked vigor and uniformity
D -Similar to 'Party Red'


Begonia tuberhybrida-Tuberous Begonia. The tuberous begonias don't seem to like either the Fargo or Dickinson sites. They are never very vigorous and bloom is very poor.
  Fargo Dickinson  
  July 19 August 20 July 7 August 18 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Fortune Mix-Da 2-4" 4-6" 2-4" 4-6" -- -- -- -- Fargo -Red, pink; No vigor, poor bloom , not many colors
Dickinson
-Not tested
Pin Up® Flame-AAS (99) 2-4 4-6 2-4 4-6 2-6" 2-6" 4-6" 4" F-Orange with red edges; No vigor, poor bloom
D-Didn't bloom, no vigor


Brassica oleracea-Ornamental Kale, Ornamental Cabbage. This is the first year we've had ornamental kale and ornamental cabbage in the trial gardens. They grew very well but were starting to get some insect problems by August.
  Fargo  
  July 19 August 20 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Color Up Improved Mix-Pk 8-10" 10-12" 12-14" 12" Very vigorous and healthy all season; some cabbage moth damage showing up in August
Nagoya Mix-Pk 8-10 10-12 10 10-12 Same as for previous
Peacock Mix-Pk 16-20 16-20 24 18-20 These were planted too close together; very vigorous, healthy but insect damage in August, also


Calendula officinalis -Pot Marigold.
  Fargo  
  July 19 August 20 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Dwarf Gem Mixed-Bur 12" 12" 12" 12" Gold, yellow; Very uniform and floriferous early; by August more dead heads apparent and not as showy


Callistephus chinensis-Annual Aster, China Aster. The china asters did quite well at the beginning of the season but then Aster Yellows hit and the plants declined steadily. Until then, both cultivars had a good color mix and were quite productive.
  Fargo  
  July 19 August 20 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr.
Matsumoto Mix-Pk 10-12" 6-8" 10-12" 6-8" Mix of colors; Floriferous and healthy early, declined by August
Seastar Mix-Pk 12-15 8-10 12-15 10-12 Mix of colors; Heads up to 3" across, bloomed better than Matsumoto Mix in August


Campanula longistylla-Bellflower. This is the first year for this particular genus in our beds. Unfortunately, as seen below, it didn't do well.
  Fargo Dickinson  
  July 19 August 20 July 7 August 18 Comments
Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt. Spr. Hgt.