'Southern Charm'

culturec onnection

perennial solutions Verbascum x hybrida ‘Southern Charm’

Formerly recognized only as a weed, verbascum is gaining popularity with gardeners and growers. ‘Southern Charm’ will bloom the fi rst year when started from seed without the need for vernalization.

hrough plant selection nize mullein as desirable orna- years, especially in hot, humid cli- By Paul Pilon and breeding efforts, mental plants. Verbascum x hybrida mates. ‘Southern Charm’ is ideal the previous percep- ‘Southern Charm’ is the result of as a background plant in fl ower tion of mullein, for- such breeding work and offers borders and cutting gardens. merly only recognized many improvements over past Tas a weed, is gradually changing verbascum species and cultivars. Propagation as gardeners, landscapers and Most notable for growers is the Verbascum ‘Southern Charm’ growers are beginning to recog- fact that ‘Southern Charm’ does is propagated from seed. Growers not require vernalization for fl ow- commonly sow 1-2 seeds per cell ering and will easily bloom the in 288- to 128-cell plug trays. Cover fi rst year when started from seed. the seeds lightly with germination With its ease of production mix or medium-grade vermiculite and fi rst-year fl owering, ver- to help keep the seed moist during bascum ‘Southern Charm’ is a germination. The seed fl ats should great addition to summer peren- be moistened and moved to a nial programs. In late spring, warm environment where the tem- ‘Southern Charm’ produces an peratures can be maintained at 65- abundant supply of uniquely col- 68° F for germination. To improve ored fl owers consisting of creamy germination, many growers use yellow, soft lavender and peachy germination chambers to provide shades each marked with a fuzzy uniform temperatures and mois- purple “bee.” The blooms are ture levels. borne on tall, graceful stems that It takes 3-7 days for the seeds to rise from a low-growing rosette germinate. Following germination, of woolly, ovate, silvery-green reduce the moisture levels some- leaves. The fl owering season can what, allowing the growing medium be extended by trimming the to dry out slightly before watering to spent fl ower spikes, which encour- help promote rooting. The tempera- ages the plants to re-bloom. After ture can also be reduced to 62-67° F the spring fl ush of fl owers, plants following germination. often go dormant during the hot Fertilizers are usually applied summer months and bloom again once the cotyledons are fully in the fall. expanded, applying 100- to 150- In the landscape, verbascum ppm nitrogen every third irrigation grows best under full sun in loca- or 75 ppm with every irrigation tions with dry soils; sites with using a balanced, water-soluble poor drainage will most likely source. When plugs are grown at lead to plant mortality. It reaches 65° F, they are usually ready for 24-30 inches when fl owering and transplanting in 5-7 weeks. spreads 18-24 inches at maturity. It is hardy in USDA Hardiness Production In late spring, verbascum ‘Southern Charm’ produces an abundant supply of uniquely colored Zones 5-8 and AHS Heat Zones ‘Southern Charm’ is best when fl owers consisting of creamy yellow, soft lavender and peachy shades each marked with a fuzzy 9-5. They are generally consid- produced in large, 1- to 2-gal. con- purple “bee.” (Photos: Ball Horticultural Company) ered short-lived plants, lasting 2-3 tainers. They prefer to be grown ➧

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60 GPN August 2007 www.gpnmag.com Landscaper Line-Up New designs you really need.

New Landscaper products make it easy on the Landscaper – what an idea! Landscaper Trays Root Tutors™ Liners Landscaper Trays are time and money savers solidly built with deep growing cells, various sizes and configurations. Push up bottoms makes it simple to dislodge plants while the one-piece trays are a neat, efficient method for transporting to the job site and, better yet, easier to pick up and dispose of – just stack them up. Root Stepper™, a new root growth technology built into a Landscaper tray, promotes interior root pruning in stepped-levels and columns. The result in the garden – stronger, healthier and faster developing plants. Root Tutors, 24, 32 and 72, feature internal channels forcing root direction down and depth for increased gradient rates. A star pattern encourages root branching and large bottom holes stimulate air pruning. Every part of the Root Tutor design created to encourage strong root growth and success in the field. Liners are the starting point for many types of crops. These nine liners, many with fluted sides and community watering, are light- weight choices for crops with shallow root characteristics. The Landscaper line-up of products is planned to meet the needs of the grower and landscaper and matches up with products from our other lines. Green thumbs come from Landscaper products.

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in a well-drained medium with a duced under slightly dry irrigation Verbascum is a moderate pH maintained between 5.8 and regimes but also will perform well feeder. Nutrients can be delivered 6.4. Many commercially avail- under more normal watering sce- using water-soluble or controlled- able peat- or bark-based growing narios. When irrigation is neces- release fertilizers. Growers using mixes work well provided there sary, water them thoroughly then water-soluble fertilizers apply 75- is adequate drainage. Verbascum allow the soil to dry moderately to 100-ppm nitrogen every irriga- generally grow best when pro- between irrigations. tion or use 200 ppm as needed.

So Strong You’ll Swear it’s Armor Plated

Verbascum reaches 24-30 inches when fl owering and spreads 18-24 inches at maturity.

Controlled-release fertilizers are commonly incorporated into the growing medium prior to planting at a rate equivalent to 1-1¼ lbs. of elemental nitrogen per yard of growing medium. Growing them under high fertility regimes generally causes them to become very lush and may delay fl owering. ‘Southern Charm’ is a tall plant when produced in containers and ™ marketed in bloom. To maintain Dramm ColorStorm Professional Hose plant quality, commercial growers will have to combine both cul- tural and chemical methods of controlling plant height. The fi rst approach to reducing unnecessary plant stretch during crop produc- t ion is to provide adequate spaci ng and withhold water and nutrients (avoid providing luxury amounts). During the rapid elongation of the fl ower stalks, it may be necessary to apply plant growth regulators. Crush Proof Sure–Grip™ Kink Resistant High Visibility Multiple foliar applications using the tank mix of B-Nine (damino- zide) at 2,500 ppm and Sumagic (uniconazole) at 3 ppm will help to reduce elongation.

Insects And Diseases Although mullein can be pro- Dramm ColorStorm Professional Rubber Hose. duced relatively insect free, aphids, Durable • Flexible • Visible spider mites, thrips and whitefl ies often become problematic. These Because quality in hand watering starts at the tap. Integrated Plant Health pests can be detected with routine [email protected] crop monitoring; control strategies www.dramm.com may not be necessary unless the 920.684.0227 scouting activities indicate actions should be taken.

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62 GPN August 2007 www.gpnmag.com culturec onnection

by PanAmerican Seed Company. Paul Pilon is president of Perennial To obtain seed, contact a Ball Solutions Consulting, Jenison, Mich. LearnMore For more information Seed representative (www.ball He can be reached at paul@perennial- related to this article, go to seed.com). Plug fl ats can also be solutions.com or (616) 366-8588. www.gpnmag.com/lm.cfm/gp080707 obtained through a Ball Seed representative or various reputable perennial plug producers. GPN

The World’s Largest Supplier of Caladium Bulbs Presents The new graduating class of caladiums

C Y L E R A P L E R A P L E Verbascum are generally considered short- A N A F T A F T A F lived plants, lasting 2-3 years, especially in F S S hot, humid climates. ‘Southern Charm’ is ideal as a background plant in fl ower borders and cutting gardens.

Root and crown rots caused from pathogens such as Phytop- thora and Pythium are likely to occur where there is inadequate drainage of the growing medium Twist and Shout™, with a burnt orange White Marble PAF, an improved Jackie Star Burst PAF, has shocking pink main veins background and olive spots and leaf margin, rep- Suthers, should be de-eyed to improve pot habit. and background with a light green margin that has or when the plants are being over- resents a new color for caladiums. It should be In the landscape it can take full sun and reaches dark green blotches. It is suited to all pot sizes and watered. Although these diseases de-eyed to improve habit. heights of 12 - 18˝. breaks well even without de-eying. are less common, it is worthwhile noting that verbascum is also sus- C Y L E A P L E A P L E N A T R A T R A ceptible to downy mildew and FA F S F S F Pseudomonas bacterial wilt.

Forcing Producing fl owering verbascum ‘Southern Charm’ out of season is relatively easy provided a few guidelines are followed. As men- tioned, vernalization is not required Raspberry Moon PAF, has a light green/ Victoria PAF, with a highly rufﬂ ed margin and Mt. Everest PAF, is a tall white variety with for fl owering, and they will readily yellow border and background with dark raspberry deep rose color, is a sport of Sweetheart. It is suited pink to red main veins. It should be de-eyed to fl ower without receiving a cold pink to red blotches which can cover up to 70% for all pot sizes and produces good habit without improve pot habit. It can take full sun. of the leaf. de-eying. It makes an outstanding basket variety. treatment. They are obligate long- day plants, absolutely requiring long days for them to fl ower. To N C Y L E A R A P L E A N C Y L E A FA F S T F FA F obtain fl owering when the photoperiod is naturally short, I recom- mend providing at least 14-hour photoperiods or night interruption lighting. The time to bloom after the proper photoperiod is provided is a function of temperature. Depending on the size and the age of the starting materials used, it will Pink Magic PAF, is a sport of the fancy-leaf Candyland PAF, is a white variety with pink Rose Glow PAF, is a hybrid similar to Rosebud. variety Frieda Hemple. Similar to Frieda Hemple, spots and pink or white main veins. It is suited to As it matures, leaves develop white main veins that take 10-12 weeks to reach fl owering it is suited for all pot sizes and has good habit all pot sizes and breaks well even without de-eying. contrast well with its pink/rose background. This when they are grown at 67° F. without de-eying. It can take full sun. variety should be de-eyed to improve habit.

Availability Verbascum x hybrida ‘Southern CALADIUMS ARE OUR BUSINESS, FROM START TO FINISH. Charm’ is brought to the market Abbott-Ipco, Inc. P.O. Box 551329 • Dallas, Texas 75355-1329 • 214-341-1585 • 800-525-1379 Fax: 214-341-7873 • E-mail: [email protected] • www.abbott-ipco.com www.gpnmag.com