Plants That Proved Resilient at Louisiana State University Variety Trials

By Jeb Fields|December 7, 2020

The landscape trials at Louisiana State University’s Hammond Research Station were unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as we were able to get everything in the ground and rated throughout the summer with minimal staffing. The season went very well, and we were thrilled with the results.

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Colocasia esculenta 'Heart of the Jungle'
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Impatiens walleriana 'Beacon Rose'
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Impatiens walleriana 'Beacon'
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Scaevola hybrid 'Whirlwind Blue'
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Scaevola hybrid 'Whirlwind Starlight'
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Catharanthus hybrid 'Soiree Kawaii'
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Salvia longispicata x farinacea 'White Flame'
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Sun Garden at Louisiana State University
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Coleus 'ColorBlaze Royale Pineapple Brandy'
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Gomphrena pulchella 'Truffula Pink'
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Helianthus hybrid 'Suncredible Yellow'
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Abelia hybrid 'Peach Perfection'
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Verbena bonariensis 'Purple Haze'

We did have quite a bit of rain, more than 16 inches in July alone, which helped identify which plants could handle the extreme hot and wet Louisiana summers. Our Blue Chip winners (best of the best) were announced at our virtual field day as:

Colocasia ‘Heart of the Jungle’
‘Beacon’ Impatiens
Scaevola ‘Whirlwind Starlight’
Catharanthus hybrid ‘Soiree Kawaii’
Salvia farinacea ‘White Flame’

The COVID-19 pandemic put quite a bit of strain on our staff and crew, but we were able to persevere and get all the trials installed and evaluated in a timely fashion. We used the time as an opportunity to identify some more efficient methods to get everything completed and installed, primarily with logistics.

Our primary challenge (aside from coronavirus restrictions) was our extreme weather. Southern Louisiana is always hot and wet, but this year was even hotter and wetter than most. We truly put these plants through extreme conditions, and can without a doubt say that nothing was coddled.

‘Heart of the Jungle’ Colocasia has been out for a while, but it was so impressive in our trials this year. It’s a very prominent plant that made everything around it look strong. We were thrilled with the ‘Soiree Kawaii’ Catharanthus hybrid that was absolutely amazing for most of the year. We have seen it succumb to the wet and hot late summer, but through July it was one of the absolute best in the garden. Scaevola ‘Whirlwind Starlight’ was absolutely amazing. Typically we consider these for hanging baskets in our region, but we will likely see these more as a colorful ground cover or edge plant.

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There has been quite a bit of talk about the future of trials, and I think coronavirus has pushed most open houses to a virtual platform. The industry both regionally and nationally relies upon field trials. Environmental conditions vary significantly and without actual trials, it is impossible to know what will perform well. The regional nursery and landscape industries rely upon field trials to identify what is new and what will work. Regional trials serve as the initial tests to select the viable cultivars, which are ever-changing with constant improvement. Moreover, we help identify where new varieties should be promoted and marketed.

Check out the slideshow above for highlights from this year’s trials.

Jeb Fields is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University. See all author stories here.