University
Field Trials

'Superbells Dreamcicle'

‘Velvet Mocha’ coleus

'Nano White' sutera

'Blue Arrows' juncus

'Sheree Maggie Pastel Yellow'

'Landmark Citrus'

‘Pure Beauty Bright Orange’ New Guinea impatiens

‘Surdiva Light Blue’ Scaevola

‘Velocity White And Yellow Face’ viola

State: Pennsylvania

Trial Locations: Penn State University, College of Agriculture Sciences, Southeast Research and Extension Center in Lancaster County. There were 1,257 cultivars tested in 2007.

Trial Manager: Alan H. Michael, Extension Educator in Floriculture

Plant Dates: May 15, 16, and 17

Weather Conditions: May was normal.  June was great.  Below normal rainfall, few storms, temperatures below normal especially at night allowing for excellent plant growth. July weather was fairly normal, with no temperature above 90F, but with many cool nights. In face, the Field Day held on July 26 was outstanding. August has been wet with severe storms and high temperatures.

Best New Variety: The newly released ‘Superbells Dreamsicle’ calibrachoa was a hit with growers and consumers alike.  It certainly is one of the best new orange flowering plant in this year’s trial. A vigorous habit with showy flower displays and dark green foliage makes it a hit. And, most important, we did not see any aphid damage, as occurred on many other caibrachoa in 2007. 

Another fascinating new variety is ‘Mezoo Trailing Red’ a drotheanthus from S&G Flowers. One of the common names is Living Stone, descriptive of its ability to tolerate harsh environments in its native South Africa. This low-growing, cascading plant has variegated succulent foliage punctuated with eye-catching petite red flowers. It tolerates drought, variable pH and bright sun.

Best Old Variety: It was was a toss-up between ‘Callie Deep Yellow’ calibrachoa from Fischer USA or ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia from Proven Winners.  Both have been selected a superior plants for a number of years at the Penn State Trial and once again deserves this title.

Top Performers: There really is not any difference in the following performance - all are very good varieties.

1. ‘Velvet Mocha’ coleus - This new Proven Winners introduction, with rich reddish-bronze foliage, should do well in either landscape or in large containers. Vigorous and eye-catching, this plant received a number of favorable comments at the Penn State’s Consumer Open House July 28.

2. ‘Nano White’ sutera (bacopa) – A new introduction from Henry F. Michell and Bodgers Botanical has great flower power, as it out performed all other white bacopa entries, especially in late summer’s heat.

3. ‘Blue Arrows’ juncus, PanAmerican Seed – This upright grass-like plant (it is a true rush) has attractive blue-green foliage in full sun that could be used to compliment mixed flower combinations or substitute for the effect provided by spikes (cordyline or dracaena). The best use is in containers, as rushes in general, can become invasive and one can never be too careful when using new plants. It grew 30 inches high at the Penn State Trial. It, like most rushes, should be able to tolerate both drought and wet conditions.

4. ‘Sherre Maggie Pastel Yellow’ argyranthemum from S&G Flowers - This large plant bloomed all summer with striking light yellow daisy flowers on attractive silver green foliage. 

5. ‘Techno Heat White’ Lobelia– This outstanding Fischer USA introduction is a plant that defies the norm when it comes to heat. It continued to bloom all summer producing good-looking flowers on dense uniform plant.

6. ‘Landmark Citrus,’ a new lantana from Ball FloraPlant - This large dense spreading plant produces an abundance of eye-catching gold and orange flowers contrasting nicely with its dark green leaves.

7. ‘Pure Beauty Bright Orange’ New Guinea impatiens from Paul Ecke Ranch - With the plethora of New Guinea Impatiens varieties, it’s good to see an older variety continuing to outperform all other entries in both sun and shade. We rated ‘Pure Beauty Bright Orange’ as one of the best New Guinea impatiens in 2007.

8. ‘Surdiva Light Blue’ Scaevola is new from Suntory. This variety like others in the Surdiva series has a unique uniform cascading growth habit and flower power much different from the usually spreading and irregular habit shown by older varieties.

9. ‘Colorful Expressions Gold Rush’ calibrachoa from Fides USA - This is a large mounded dense spreading plant with eye-catching yellow flowers. No leaf damage and an outstanding display.

10. ‘Velocity White And Yellow Face’ the new summer blooming viola introduced by Paul Ecke Ranch. This cultivar defies summer heat and just keeps on blooming. It does need both water and fertilizer to maintain good growth. It is compact, covered in flowers and has a delightful fragrance.