Best Plants For The Humid Southeast
The Southeast tends to have muggy weather throughout the summer, and many home gardeners struggle to find plants that can take the heat and will not succumb to disease before the end of the season.
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Petunia 'Tidal Wave Red Velour'
Best in Show for the University of Tennessee.
Top 10 for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
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Portulaca 'Mojave Tangerine' from Proven Winners (2015 J.C. Raulston Arboretum Field Trials)
A top-10 pick for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
The Mojave series of portulaca was one of three Top Series for the University of Tennessee. 'Mojave Red' was a top performer.
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Ipomoea SolarPower Series from Ball Horticulture (J.C. Raulston Arboretum field trails 2015)
J.C. Raulston Arboretum named all three impomea in the SolarPower series as a top performer: ‘SolarPower Red’,’SolarPower Black’, ‘SolarPower Lime’ (Shown here)
'SolarPower Black' and 'SolarPower Red' were also top-performing varieties for the University of Tennessee.
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Gerbera daisy ‘Hello! Miss Scarlet’ from Proven Winners
A top-10 pick for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
One of three Top Series for the University of Tennessee.
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Vinca 'Valiant Lilac' (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
One of three Top Series for the University of Tennessee.
Metrolina's comment: Valiant Vinca series from Pan American Seed did great. Nice, full beds with lots of color.
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Vinca 'Cora Cascade' (Syngenta Flowers)
Metrolina's comments: Incredible bed, filled with great color.
Vinca 'Cora Cascade Strawberry' was a top-performing variety for the University of Tennessee.
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Supertunia Violet Star Charm (Four Star and Proven Winners)
University of Georgia's comments: For years, Proven Winners has produced so many fabulous petunia varieties that we trialled. ‘Supertunia Violet Charm’ is one of many in the series Supertunia and it followed suit with its relatives. The plant quickly grew into a compact mound of small white with violet stripes flowers that blanketed the plants. It was incessantly in full bloom for months and it withstood our weather effortlessly.
It's also one of the top two petunias at Metrolina.
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Coleus 'Campfire' (Ball FloraPlant)2
University of Georgia's comments: We were smitten with Ball’s ‘Redhead’ coleus and now they have produced an equally glorious ‘Campfire.’ It was evident in early summer that this coleus would be incredible, but it continued to awe us throughout the summer. ‘Campfire’ was maintenance free in that it seldom flowered. It grew to 3’-3.5’ tall and remained erect all summer. Its warm orange-red leaves shone quite brightly and it withstood many long, hot days better than many other coleuses. While we have not forgotten ‘Redhead,’ ‘Campfire’ is definitely a hot contender in our hearts.
A top-performing variety for the University of Tennessee.
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Petunia 'Supertunia Vista Fuchsia' from Proven Winners (2015 J.C. Raulston Arboretum Field Trials)
One of J.C. Raulston's top petunia performers. (Petunia was the top ranking genus in this year's trials.)
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Petunia 'Supertunia Bubblegum' from Proven Winners
One of J.C. Raulston's top petunia performers. (Petunia was the top ranking genus in this year's trials.)
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Petunia 'Supertunia Orchid Charm' from Proven Winners
One of J.C. Raulston's top petunia performers. (Petunia was the top ranking genus in this year's trials.)
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Petunia ‘Supertunia Vista Silverberry' from Proven Winners
One of J.C. Raulston's top petunia performers. (Petunia was the top ranking genus in this year's trials.)
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Coleus 'ColorBlaze Apple Brandy' from Proven Winners (2015 J.C. Raulston Arboretum Field Trials)
One of two coleus picked by J.C. Raulston Arboretum as a top performer.
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Coleus scutellaroides 'Flame Thrower Chili Pepper' (2015 Pike Creek Horticulture Center Field Trials)
One of two coleus picked by J.C. Raulston Arboretum as a top performer.
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Lantana 'Luscious Pinkberry Blend' from Proven Winners
A top-10 pick for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
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Ipomea ‘Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime’ from Proven Winners
A top-10 pick for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
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Ornamental pepper 'Black Olive'
A top-10 pick for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
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Ornamental pepper 'NuMex Easter'
A top-10 pick for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
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Salvia ‘Summer Jewel Red’ from FleuroSelect
A top-10 pick for J.C. Raulston Arboretum.
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Begonia boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset'
Best in Show at J.C. Raulston Arboretum
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Begonia boliviensis ‘San Francisco’ (Benary)
Best in Show at J.C. Raulston Arboretum
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Marigold Hot Pak Series from PanAmerican Seed
J.C. Raulston Arboretum's comments: Hot Pak Series took our heat and humidity and stayed looking fresh. A true test especially since 2015 was the most humid summer we’ve had in 20 years! Hot Pak is a powerhouse of flowers. From the time they were planted through the fall they have been a mass of flowers. A true winner for our area- a great series for the SE.
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Dahlia ‘Dahlightful Lively Lavender’ from Proven Winners
A top-performing variety for the University of Tennessee.
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Nemesia 'Nuvo Purple BiColor' from Florensis
Metrolina's comments: This was our biggest surprise. We had 4 colors of Nemesia from Florensis. The Nuvo series held up very nicely in the heat. We had Nuvo nemesia flowering in September in North Carolina!
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Pelargonium Big Ezee Pink from Dummen Orange
University of Georgia's comments: Zonal geraniums seldom make our list of top plants, but ‘Big Ezee Pink’ easily achieved this goal. The plants were 12-15” tall, they were sturdy, healthy and floriferous. They produced large pink flower clusters. This cultivar out-performed the other cultivars by withstanding the humid heat and by continuing to produce flowers despite its environment.
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Phlox 'Early Pink Dark Eye' from Dummen Orange
Metrolina's comments: Dummen Orange Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) Early Series was strong all season. These plants were in our second year trial and over wintered from last year with no issues. These plants flowered most of the season with little to no mildew. Incredible!
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Salvia 'Mojave Red Improved' from Floranova
University of Georgia's comments: We have had few Salvia splendens varieties in recent years so it is good to see one as splendid as ‘Mojave Red Improved.’ The plants grew to a height of 18-20” and produced numerous red flowering stalks. This salvia withstood miserable growing conditions, but flourished regardless. ‘Mojave Red Improved’ is an excellent reminder of how great this salvia can be.
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Scaevola 'Scalora Jewel' from Westhoff
University of Georgia's comments: As mentioned before, scaevola has come a long way in a short amount of time. ‘Scalora Jewel’ is another representative of this superior series of fan flowers that has excelled in our garden. The plants quickly grew into a compact mass of light violet fan-like blossoms. Despite the early rains and later drought, ‘Scalora Jewel’ succeeded in wowing us all summer. As with its sibling ‘Scalora Amethyst’ that won this high award last year, ‘Scalora Jewel’ is to die for.
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Soiree Kawaii series from EuroAmerican
Metrolina's comment: This was a big year of new Vinca introductions. First up is EuroAmerican's Soiree Kawaii series. The 'Kawaii Pink' performed especially well, iwth a mass of small pink flowers all summer
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Garvinea Sweet Glow - Copy
Metrolina's comments: We had several of the Garvinea Sweets (including 'Sweet Glow,' shown here) and Classics (such as 'Classic Kendall'). These Gerbera were strong all season with masses of color.
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Dragon’s Breath Celosia
Metrolina's comments: Celosia is becoming more and more popular. One really cool one this year was Celosia 'Dragons Breath' from Sakata. This had beautiful red flowers early spring and again in the fall and stunning foliage all season
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Beekenkamp celosia 'Kelos Fire Lime'
Metrolina's comments: Beekenkamp Kelos Fire series as was very strong all season. The Kelos Fire Purple and Kelos Fire Lime were in color all season.
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Lobularia ‘Lavender Stream’
University of Georgia's comments: For the past few years, the Stream series of lobularia from Danziger has graced us with its presence in our gardens. The entire series has proven to be phenomenal whether it is white, lavender, bicolor and now raspberry. This summer ‘Lavender Stream has proven itself to be one of our absolute bests in our 2015 garden. Week after week, despite the weather, this variety continued to flourish, growing into a blanket of zillions of fragrant tiny lavender blooms. If history is any indication, ‘Lavender Stream’ and its siblings will thrive well into our winter.
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Begonia 'Baby Wing Bicolor' (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
University of Georgia's comments: Many of our begonias performed well this summer, however ‘Baby Wing Bicolor’ shone more brightly than others. Its unique coloration (rose with white center) attracted all eyes to it, eliciting smiles from onlookers. The plants were compact, growing to 20-22”, never lodging or coming apart. Its dark green foliage provided pleasant contrast to its flowers.
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Caladium 'Debutante' (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
University of Georgia's comments: All of Robert Hartman’s caladiums excel in the least desirable, shadiest spots of our garden so much so we forget many are sun tolerant. Every cultivar emerges quickly and is showing bright color in weeks after planting. ‘Debutante’ was exceptionally stellar this year. Its sturdy dark stems grew to 15-20” and supported equally tough white leaves with undulating edges and deep green veins. The leaves became reddened as the weather cooled. ‘Debutante’ made a stellar public outing and should fill gardens with its beauty.
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Capsicum 'Basket of Fire' (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
University of Georgia's comments: Even though ‘Basket of Fire’ has been around for some time, it is still among the best ornamental peppers we have trialed at UGA. The plants that are fewer than 12” tall and a bit wider are covered in 2” slender fruits that transform from yellow to orange and finally to red. The plants produce countless colorful peppers that withstand all types of weather conditions for the entire summer and into Fall.
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Trixi Fairy Combos (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
University of Georgia's comments: Scaevola breeders have made huge leaps in developing cultivars that can withstand too much rain as well as tremendous heat. ‘Trixi Fairy’ is a combination pot comprised of blue, pink, bicolor, and white scaevola. The combination was absolutely perfect all summer. The balanced mix of flower colors, growth habits, durability, floriferousness and heat tolerance could not have been better. Too often one variety of a combination completely overwhelms the others in its mix. This was not at all the case with ‘Trixi Fairy.’ Everyone behaved themselves and did not have to bully for space.
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Impatiens 'Sun Harmony Deep Pink' from Danziger
University of Georgia's comments: New Guinea impatiens for the sun have become a mainstay in our garden and have performed exceptionally well in our blazing hot Georgia sunshine. ‘Sun Harmony Pink’ is such a sun tolerant NGI. The plants maxed out at 20-26” tall. They withstood heavy rains, wind, and other impediments and out performed other varieties. The plants remained covered by large bright pink blooms for the entire summer.
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Petunia x hybrida 'Tidal Wave Silver' (2015 Pike Creek Horticulture Center Field Trials)
University of Georgia's comments: The fact that any petunia survived our wet early summer followed by the extreme heat and drought for the rest of the summer is a miracle. ‘Tidal Wave Silver’ not only survived, but it flourished for months. Its performance out lasted all other petunias this summer. The plants grew into a great mound covered in flowers that were white tinged purple with a purple center. Month after month, ‘Tidal Wave Silver’ astonished everyone with its ability to thrive in the heat.
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Sedum' Lemon Coral' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
A top-performing variety for the University of Tennessee.
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Coleus 'Colorblaze Velveteen' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
A top-performing variety for the University of Tennessee.
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Bidens 'Campfire Fireburst' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
A top-performing variety for the University of Tennessee.
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Petunia 'Supertunia Latte' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
A top-performing variety for the University of Tennessee.
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Supertunia 'Sangria Charm' from Proven Winners
One of J.C. Raulston's top petunia performers. (Petunia was the top ranking genus in this year's trials.)
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Petunia 'Pink Star Charm' from Proven Winners
Metrolina's comments: The two top items noticed by many visitors was Proven Winners 'Pink Star Charm' and 'Violet Star Charm.' Both were a solid mass of colors all season. 'Pink Star Charm' rated 5 out 5 in September!
View all
Petunia 'Tidal Wave Red Velour'
Portulaca 'Mojave Tangerine' from Proven Winners (2015 J.C. Raulston Arboretum Field Trials)
Ipomoea SolarPower Series from Ball Horticulture (J.C. Raulston Arboretum field trails 2015)
Gerbera daisy ‘Hello! Miss Scarlet’ from Proven Winners
Vinca 'Valiant Lilac' (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
Vinca 'Cora Cascade' (Syngenta Flowers)
Supertunia Violet Star Charm (Four Star and Proven Winners)
Coleus 'Campfire' (Ball FloraPlant)2
Petunia 'Supertunia Vista Fuchsia' from Proven Winners (2015 J.C. Raulston Arboretum Field Trials)
Petunia 'Supertunia Bubblegum' from Proven Winners
Petunia 'Supertunia Orchid Charm' from Proven Winners
Petunia ‘Supertunia Vista Silverberry' from Proven Winners
Coleus 'ColorBlaze Apple Brandy' from Proven Winners (2015 J.C. Raulston Arboretum Field Trials)
Coleus scutellaroides 'Flame Thrower Chili Pepper' (2015 Pike Creek Horticulture Center Field Trials)
Lantana 'Luscious Pinkberry Blend' from Proven Winners
Ipomea ‘Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime’ from Proven Winners
Ornamental pepper 'Black Olive'
Ornamental pepper 'NuMex Easter'
Salvia ‘Summer Jewel Red’ from FleuroSelect
Begonia boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset'
Begonia boliviensis ‘San Francisco’ (Benary)
Marigold Hot Pak Series from PanAmerican Seed
Dahlia ‘Dahlightful Lively Lavender’ from Proven Winners
Nemesia 'Nuvo Purple BiColor' from Florensis
Pelargonium Big Ezee Pink from Dummen Orange
Phlox 'Early Pink Dark Eye' from Dummen Orange
Salvia 'Mojave Red Improved' from Floranova
Scaevola 'Scalora Jewel' from Westhoff
Soiree Kawaii series from EuroAmerican
Garvinea Sweet Glow - Copy
Dragon’s Breath Celosia
Beekenkamp celosia 'Kelos Fire Lime'
Lobularia ‘Lavender Stream’
Begonia 'Baby Wing Bicolor' (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
Caladium 'Debutante' (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
Capsicum 'Basket of Fire' (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
Trixi Fairy Combos (2015 University of Georgia Field Trials)
Impatiens 'Sun Harmony Deep Pink' from Danziger
Petunia x hybrida 'Tidal Wave Silver' (2015 Pike Creek Horticulture Center Field Trials)
Sedum' Lemon Coral' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
Coleus 'Colorblaze Velveteen' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
Bidens 'Campfire Fireburst' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
Petunia 'Supertunia Latte' from Proven Winners (2015 University of Tennessee Field Trials)
Supertunia 'Sangria Charm' from Proven Winners
Petunia 'Pink Star Charm' from Proven Winners
We collected the best performers from the 2015 field trials at the University of Tennessee, University of George, Metrolina Greenhouses, J.C. Raulston Arboretum. Here’s a quick rundown of the growing conditions for the trial:
J.C. Raulston Arboretum, North Carolina State University
Weather details: Cooler spring temperatures led into slightly warmer than normal summer temperatures. Of note, the gardens experienced, early in the summer, a 16-day period of temperatures in the 95-100 F range. It was very humid, according to the meteorologists, the most humid summer in 20 years.
Location: The JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University is located at 4415 Beryl Road in Raleigh, North Carolina 27606.
Number of entries: This season there were 300 annuals entries and 40 perennials entries.
New thing: JC Raulston installed a pollinator garden in 2015.
Metrolina Greenhouses
There were 1,889 items this year: 1,254 annuals; 609 perennials; and 26 shrubs. There were 385 perennials carried over from last year for a second year evaluation. There will be 248 carried over this year. Everything was set in ground beds and in 14-inch containers.
University of Georgia
During the spring of 2015, Georgia experienced mild temperatures and above average rainfall. By June, however, the temperatures shot through the roof. For about 2.5 months, the gardens had very hot (90’s F +) days and very little rain. The weather did cool in late summer, finally dipping below 90F. The effects of the summer heat were visible on the plants, but many rebounded in the cooler climate.
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee Gardens in Knoxville, TN, had a great trialing season, the garden runners say. Although June was hotter and drier than usual, July and August were cooler and wetter than normal, with the result being an exceptional growing season and a great display. Because of this, there were very few of our more than 175 trials that performed poorly. This made evaluating top performers difficult. More than 60,000 guests passed through the gardens during the season and both layman and professionals were impressed with the wonderful improvements and introductions plant breeders and seed companies have come up with.
Take a look at our photo gallery of top performing plants from these field trials. Those plants that earned a ranking at more than one trial are grouped together at the beginning of the slideshow.
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Carol Miller is editor of Today's Garden Center. You can eMail her at [email protected]. See all author stories here.