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Introduction:
Welcome to the Penn State Horticulture Variety Trial webpage. Our goal is to update this page frequently, every 2-3 weeks,
showing the status of the plants, picture of varieties that attract attention and listing of events.The objective of the trial is to test vegetative and seed varieties for outdoor performance of flowering annuals in the hot,
humid mid-Atlantic region. In 2008, we have 1330 entries growing in containers in both sun and shade. Trial gardens are open to the
public 8am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday.Update November 3, 2008:
The Variety Trial is completed for 2008. The data and pictures are being assembled and edited with the goal of this being
completed in November. The information will be posted and available on this site. For comments or suggestions, please contact
Alan Michael at Ahm4@psu.edu.Update September 5, 2008:
Highlights from the end of August and early September are:
Osteospermum looks better than ever. New varieties bloomed all summer and plants put in the field bloom very well.
Plants in shade:
- Trailing impatiens continue to perform well
- Crossandra looks great, with orange flowers and shiny green foliage
- Double impatiens are outstanding
- Torenia have recovered nicely with great vigor and excellent flowering
Noteworthy Concerns:
Portulaca have been outstanding (see photo to left) until recently. They are not opening/flowering until 10:30am and close by 3:30 pm (see photos below)
Thrips have become a serious problem on Calibrachoa. All varieties are susceptible, some however are more sensitive than others.
This is the first year I have observed this problem in trial.Corn Earworm has destroyed unsprayed petunias. In trials, we are using Conserve and getting very good control.
Corn Earworm on plants
Corn earmworm damage
For more information see the article Budworms on Flowering Annuals (click for pdf) Field Grown Plants
Other noteworthy plants:
Update August 15, 2008:
The weather the last 2 weeks has been ideal - evening temperatures in the 60's and 70's, with day temperatures in the 80's. Plants
that have recovered nicely this past week are:
- Bacopa (sutera)
- Ostoespermum
- New Guinea Impatiens
- Geraniums
- Torenia
The trial will continue to be open through the end of September.
Here are the top picks for the August 15:
Dahlia 'Starsister Bronze' - Oro Farms Diascia 'Genta Dark Orange' (New) - Danziger Flower Farm Laurentia 'Starshine Blue' (from seed) - Syngenta Flowers Laurentia 'Starshine Pink' (from seed) - Syngenta Flowers Lantana 'Bandana Trailing Gold' (New) - Syngenta Flowers Lantana 'Bandana Pink' (New) - Syngenta Flowers Coleus 'Indian Summer' (New) - Ball Horticultural Juncus 'Twister' (New) from seed - Ball Horticultural Koeleria 'Blue Sprite' (New) from seed - Pan American Seed Juncus 'Blue Dart' (New) from seed - Pan American Seed Ornamental Pepper 'Sangria' (New) from seed - Pan American Seed Ornamental Pepper 'Purple Flash' (New) from seed - Pan American Seed Ornamental Pepper 'Calico' (New) from seed - Pan American Seed Overview of Torenia plants Torenia 'Moon Magenta' - Danziger Flower Farm Begonia 'Big Green Leaf Red' - Benary Seed As one of the important goals as horticulturalists, we are trying to reduce potentially invasive species. Therefore we are selecting plants that do not
reseed themselves. Here is a comparison of two Cleome varieties - one which produces seeds and one that does not:
Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita' - Proven Winner (Does not produce seeds)
Update August 4, 2008:
July 24 was Field Day and Open House at the Landisville Trials. Over 250 people attended. We had some rain the day before
but Thursday was one of the nicest days all summer.Here are some of the picks for the end of July:
Ptilotus Exaltatus 'Joey' (New) - Binary Seed Overview of Petunias Petunia Cascadias 'Imperial Blue' (New) - Danziger Flower Farm Calibrachoa 'Mini Famous Double Blush Pink' (New) - Selecta First Class Ostoespermum went out of flower in early July's heat, but a few came back into flower. These are the best for late July:
Portulaca love heat and this year we were blessed with a number of outstanding series:
Proven Winner has the best vegetative ageratum with their 'Artist Rose', a vigorous, uniform and great flowering plant.
Dummen USA has introduced 2 new Euphorbia to complement Proven Winner's 'Diamond Frost':
The following are new seed zinnia from Pan American Seed. All are doing well with no powdery mildew:
Update July 3, 2008:
As of July 1 we are in the process of doing the first ratings. All varieties are showing full bloom and outstanding color. It's a good
time to visit.Following are pictures of some new plants that caught my eye:
Update June 13, 2008:
All varieties have been planted into containers during the 3rd and 4th week of May. The weather has been extremely hot and
plants are growing vigorously. The following photographs show a few of the over 100 Master Gardeners and other volunteers
helping to plant the 2008 trial.
Dick Barry Greenhouse - Plants ready to go out in the field Containers being hauled into growing area in field
The planting crew
Finding a place for the last pots
Overviews of the Trial Areas:
Upper Area Lower Area Osteospermum Lobelias Petunias New Guinea Impatiens - SunPatiens Samples of outstanding varieties for this week:
'Calibrachoa Mini Famous Double Blue' - Selecta First Class 'Calibrachoa Mini Famous Double Yellow' - Selecta First Class Petunia, 'Supertunia Vista Silverberry' - Proven Winner Petunia, 'Littletunia Red Star' (New) - Danziger Double Petunia, 'Doupetini Pink Improved' - Danziger Verbena 'Lanai Dark Red' - Syngenta Seeds Osteospermum 'Serenity Vanilla' - Ball Osteospermum 'Summertime Sunset' - Dummen
If questions, call Alan Michael : office 717-921-8803 or cell 717-503-3547
Additional Information:
For 2007 Archival photos and summaries, click here
