TRIALS REPORT

2008

Hardy Annuals from seed

Trials Office The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB 1

Trial of Hardy Annuals from seed AGM 2008 AGM Entries receiving The Award of Garden Merit (H4)

Ammi majus ‘Graceland’ AGM (H4) 6 August 2008. [Trial No. 151]. Votes 12-1. Sent by and available from Thompson and Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU. Elegant, stands well, long lasting display of large flat umbels of lacy white flowers with a good ratio to dark

green fern-like foliage.

Convolvulus minor Panorama Group AGM (H4) 2 September 2008 [entered as Convolvulus Panorama Group]. [Trial No. 60]. Votes 10-3. Sent by and available from Suttons, Woodview Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7NG. Bright mixture of large flowers, good spread, height to 30cm, lasted well for over 2 months.

Coreopsis tinctoria ‘Mardi Gras’ AGM (H4) 2 September 2008. [Trial No. 112]. Votes 12-1. Sent by and available from K. Sahin, Zaden B.V., Hoofdweg 19, 1424 Pc De Kwakel, The Netherlands, also available from http://www.burpee.com (USA). Flowered well over 2 months from end of July to September, attractive star shaped red flowers.

2 Echium vulgare ‘Blue Bedder’ AGM (H4) 22 July 2008. [Trial No. 64]. Votes 13-2. Sent by and available from Thompson and Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU, also available from Chiltern Seeds, D.T. Brown, Kings Seeds and Mr Fothergills. A vigorous, floriferous display of violet blue flowers from late June through to September, excellent for attracting insects.

Linaria maroccana Fairy Bouquet Group AGM (H4) 22 July 2008 [entered as Linaria Fairy Bouquet]. [Trial No. 52]. Votes 15-1. Sent by and available from Suttons, Woodview Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7NG, also available from Chiltern Seeds and Kings Seeds. Floriferous bold and pastel mix of dainty snapdragon like flowers from late June to early August.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea ‘Pierrot’ AGM (H4) 22 July 2008 [entered as Helipterum roseum ‘Pierrot’]. [Trial No. 118]. Votes 12-3. Sent by and available from Thompson and Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU, also available from Chiltern Seeds, D.T. Brown, Mr Fothergills. White paper like flowers with contrasting black centre, that open fully in the sun; in flower from early July and into September. Good as a cut flower as well as in the garden.

3 Orlaya grandiflora AGM (H4) 22 July 2008. [Trial No. 140]. Votes 13-2. Sent by and available from Phoenix Perennial Plants, Paice Lane, Medstead, Alton, Hampshire GU34 5PR, also available from Seeds, Plant World Seeds, T&M. Very floriferous, lace like white umbels with divided fern-like foliage, very attractive to insects.

Orlaya grandiflora ‘White Lace’ AGM (H4) 22 July 2008. [Trial No. 141]. Votes 12-4. Sent by and available from K. Sahin, Zaden B.V., Gouwestraat 11, P.O. Box 227, 2400 AE Alphen aan den Rijn, Holland Very floriferous, attractive to insects, very similar to Orlaya grandiflora, although appears to be slightly taller.

The following entries cannot receive the AGM recommended to them until nomenclatural queries have been resolved. It is the responsibility of the sender to inform the Trials Office at Wisley that all queries have been resolved.

AGM SUBJECT TO THE ALLOCATION OF A SUITABLE CULTIVAR NAME

Bupleurum rotundifolium AGM (H4) 6 August 2008 [entered as Bupleurum griffithii] [Trial No. 120]. Votes 11-2. Sent by and available from E W King & Co Ltd, Monks Farm, Pantlings Lane, Kelvedon, Essex CO5 9PG, also available from Chiltern Seeds. Yellow-green petal like bracts produced in large fairly flat umbels above glaucous, almost round perfoliate foliage. Flowers from July to September, still attractive after set seed, self sows. Excellent for flower arranging.

H4 Hardy throughout the British Isles

4 The following entries cannot receive the AGM recommended to them until queries on availability have been resolved. It is the responsibility of the sender to inform the Trials Office at Wisley that all queries have been resolved.

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

H4

Trial Notes:

Objectives: The objectives of the trial were: • To assess a range of hardy annuals, including some more unusual entries • To demonstrate a range of direct sown hardy annuals to the public • To recommend the Award of Garden Merit [AGM] to cultivars considered excellent for ordinary garden use.

Entries: There were 157 entries in the trial, submitted by various seed companies in the UK and Europe.

Cultivation: Seed was sown direct on 6 May.

Spacing: Triploid and larger cultivars were spaced 45 cm each way, all other entries were spaced 30cm apart each way in blocks with 40cm between entries. 25 plants of the single coloured cultivars are being grown and 50 plants of the mixtures.

Judging: The Floral Trials Subcommittee assessed entries in the trial for the Award of Garden Merit on 8 July, 22 July, 6 August, 21 August, 2 and 16 September using the following criteria:

length of flowering period : colour : impact : habit : uniformity of single colours : balance of mixtures : true to flower shape/form.

Findings: 10/6/08 The committee walked the trial – most entries (over 200) had germinated and some were slightly congested. It was suggested that some be thinned (the Clarkia in bed 1 in particular should be thinned to 3-5 seedlings/station) and with others weeds and seedlings outside the rows be removed.

24/6/08 Tony Hender and Keith Sangster inspected the trial of hardy annuals that had been sown direct in May and reported back that there were just two or three starting to flower and the trial looked very good and the trials staff should be congratulated on the difficult cultivation required by this impromptu demonstration.

6/8/08 The Committee recommended that some of the hardy annuals in this demonstration would make a valuable and informative addition to the floral display at Wisley and thought that David Jewell may be interested to have a look at the trial with this in mind.

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The Committee requested that 1/3 of a row of each entry be sheered back to around 3” to see which entries produce a second flush of flowers.

21/8/08 It was noted that ideally clarkias need more space and that the sowing time is critical to ensure good performance. A number were looking bare around the base of the stems.

16/9/08 The trial was assessed for the last time and would be cleared by the end of September.

Trial Entries:

Index Demonstration of Hardy Annuals from seed, direct sown, 2008

No. Name Name as entered (if different) Sender BED 1 (3 x 3.6 metre rows of each entry) 1 Eschscholzia californica 'Appleblossom Pink' Mr Fothergills 2 Eschscholzia californica Bush Mixture Eschscholzia californica 'Bush K. Sahin, Zaden Mixture' B.V. 3 Eschscholzia californica 'Dalli' Kings Quality Seeds 4 Eschscholzia californica Fruit Crush Mixture Eschscholzia californica 'Fruit T&M Crush' 5 Eschscholzia californica 'Strawberry Fields' Johnsons Seeds 6 Eschscholzia californica Thai Silk Series, Eschscholzia californica 'Thai Silk K. Sahin, Zaden Chiffon Mixture Chiffon Mixture' B.V. 7 Eschscholzia californica 'Thai Silk Milkmaid K. Sahin, Zaden Improved' B.V. 8 Eschscholzia californica 'Thai Silk Pink K. Sahin, Zaden Champagne' B.V. 9 Eschscholzia californica Tropical Punch Mix Eschscholzia 'Tropical Punch Mix' Suttons 10 Tropaeolum majus 'Alaska Tip Top Red' Nasturtium 'Alaska Tip Top Red' Mr Fothergills 11 Tropaeolum majus Summer Carousel Mix Nasturtium 'Summer Carousel' Mr Fothergills 12 Camissonia cheiranthifolia 'Silver and Gold' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 13 Clarkia tenella 'Marron Mignon' Floragran 14 Clarkia lewisii 'Lilac Tubs' Floragran 15 Clarkia speciosa subsp. immaculata Floragran 'Bischow' 16 Clarkia amoena 'Castel' Godetia 'Castel' Samuel Dobie & Son 17 Clarka amoena 'Cattleya' Godetia amoena 'Cattleya' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 18 Clarkia amoena Fruit Punch Mix Godetia amoena 'Fruit Punch' T&M 19 Clarkia amoena Honeymoon Mix Godetia 'Honeymoon' Kings Quality Seeds

6 20 Clarkia amoena Little Frills Mix Godetia 'Little Frills Mix' Suttons 21 Clarkia amoena 'Poppet' Godetia 'Poppet' Suttons 22 Clarkia amoena Precious Gems Group Godetia 'Precious Gems Mix' Suttons 23 Clarkia amoena 'Rembrandt' Godetia amoena 'Rembrandt' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 24 Clarkia amoena 'Sugarplum' Godetia 'Sugarplum' Suttons 25 Clarkia amoena 'Sweetheart' Godetia amoena 'Sweetheart' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 26 Clarkia amoena 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' Godetia amoena 'Thoroughly T&M Modern Millie' 27 Clarkia pulchella Confetti Group Clarkia pulchella 'Confetti Mixed' T&M 28 Clarkia tenella 'Blue Magic' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 29 Clarkia unguiculata Pretty Polly Group Clarkia elegans 'Pretty Polly Mix' Suttons 30 Clarkia inguiculata 'Appleblossom' Clarkia elegans 'Appleblossom' T&M 31 Clarkia rubicunda mixed colours Godetia rubicunda 'Mixed Colours' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. BED 10 SMALL (Height: to 30cm, 3 x 3.6 rows of each entry) 32 Chrysanthemum sebatense 'Silver Gazelle' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 33 Linanthus androsaceus French hybrids Linanthus androsaceus 'French T&M Hybrids' 34 Limnanthes douglasii (Poached Egg Plant) Suttons AGM (H4) 1993 35 Limnanthes douglasii Spanish Omelette mix Limnanthes douglasii 'Spanish T&M Omelette' 36 Lobularia maritima Allure Pastel Group Alyssum maritimum 'Allure Pastel Kieft Seeds Mix' 37 Lupinus bicolor 'Miniblue' Floragran 38 Nemophila menziesii 'Baby Blue Eyes' Nemophila insignis 'Baby Blue Suttons Eyes' 39 Nemophila maculata [Fivespot] Nemophila 'Five Spot' Mr Fothergills 40 Nemophila maculata var. discoidalis [Pennie Nemophila maculata 'Pennie T&M Black] Black' 42 Silene colorata 'Dwarf Pink Star' Viscaria colorata 'Dwarf Pink Star' T&M 43 Silene colorata 'Pink Pirouette' Silene 'Pink Pirouette' Kings Quality Seeds 44 Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel' Anchusa 'Blue Angel' Suttons 45 Campanula ramosissima 'Meteora' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 46 Eremalche parryi 'Alexia' Floragran 47 Iberis pinnata 'White Helmets' Floragran 48 Iberis umbellata Candycane Mix Candytuft 'Candycane Mixed' Samuel Dobie & Son 49 Iberis umbellata Fantasia Mix Candytuft 'Fantasia Mix' Suttons 50 Iberis umbellata Fairyland Mix Iberis umbellata 'Fairyland Mix' T&M 51 Iberis umbellata Flash Series, mixed Iberis umbellata 'Flash Mix' T&M

7 52 Linaria maroccana Fairy Bouquet Group Linaria 'Fariy Bouquet' Suttons 53 Linaria maroccana Confetti Mix Linaria maroccana 'Confetti' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 54 Linaria maroccana Little Sweeties Mix Linaria 'Little Sweeties' Suttons 55 Lonas annua 'Goldrush' Lonas 'Goldrush' Samuel Dobie & Son 56 Nolana paradoxa Bird Mixture Nolana paradoxa 'Bird Mixture' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 57 Phacelia campanularia 'Blue Wonder' Kings Quality Seeds 58 Centaurea cyanus 'Tom Pouce Bleu' ('Tom Centaurea cyanus 'Tom Pouce Hem Zaden BV Thumb Blue') Blue' 59 Centaurea cyanus 'Tom Pouce Rouge' ('Tom Centaurea cyanus 'Tom Pouce Hem Zaden BV Thumb Red') Red' 60 Convolvulus minor Panorama Group Convolvulus 'Panorama Mix' Suttons 61 Coreopsis tinctoria 'Mahogany Midget' T&M 62 Cuphea llavea 'Cardinal' Cuphea 'Cardinal' Floragran 63 Dimorphotheca pluvialis 'Glistening White' T&M 64 Echium vulgare 'Blue Bedder' T&M 65 Echium vulgare Dwarf hybrids Echium 'Dwarf Hybrids' Samuel Dobie & Son 66 Linaria reticulata Hem Zaden BV 67 Linaria reticulata 'Flamenco' Suttons 68 Linaria maroccana Northern Lights Group Linaria maroccana 'Northern T&M Lights' 69 Lupinus mexicanus Pixie Delight Group Lupin 'Pixie Delight' T&M 70 Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis (Night Matthiola bicornis 'Night Scented T&M Scented Stock) Mix' 71 Omphalodes linifolia AGM (H4) 1993 M Christopher 72 Phacelia dubia 'Lavender Lass' T&M 73 Phacelia viscida 'Tropical Surf' ('Blue Foam') Phacelia vicida 'Tropical Surf' T&M 74 Reseda odorata Crown Mixture Mignonette Crown Mixture Kings Quality Seeds 75 Silene coeli-rosa 'Blue Angel' Viscaria 'Blue Angel' Suttons 76 Silene coeli-rosa Patio Mix Viscaria occulata 'Patio Mix' T&M 77 Silene coeli-rosa 'Ruby Flax' Viscaria occulata 'Ruby Flax' T&M MEDIUM (Height: 30-75cm, 2 x 3.6 rows of each entry) 78 Bupleurum rotundifolium 'Green Hobbit' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 79 Collinsia greenei 'Mystic Lilac' Colinsia greenii 'Mystic Lilac' T&M 80 Collomia coccinea 'Neon' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 81 Consolida ajacis Seven Dwarfs Mix Delphinium ajacis 'The Seven T&M Dwarfs' 82 Crepis rubra T&M 83 Tagetes lucida (Sweet Mace) K. Sahin, Zaden B.V.

8 84 Dimorphotheca aurantiaca Tetra Sunshine Dimorphotheca pluvilis 'Tetra T&M Giants Sunshine Giants' 85 Gaillardia pulchella 'Sundance' T&M 86 Gilia capitata Hem Zaden BV 87 Glebionis coronaria 'Primrose Gem' Chrysanthemum coronarium T&M 'Primrose Gem' 88 Ismelia carinata 'German Flag' Chrysanthemum segetum Mr Fothergills 'German Flag' 89 Gypsophila elegans 'Covent Garden White' Gypsophila elegans 'Covent Suttons Garden White' 90 Helenium amarum 'Sunny Boy' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 91 Lasthenia coronaria 'Brillo del Sol' Floragran 92 Linum grandiflorum Charmer Group Linum 'Charmer Mix' Kings Quality Seeds 93 Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis Matthiola longipetala 'Starlight Johnsons Seeds 'Starlight Scentsation' Scentsation' 94 Nigella bucharica 'Emir of Buchra' Floragran 95 Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll' AGM (H4) T&M 1993 96 Nigella damascena Persian Jewels Group Nigella damascena 'Persian T&M Jewels' 97 Phacelia purshii 'Beautiful Dreamer' Floragran 98 Platyglossa (Tidy Tips) Layia 'Tidy Tips' T&M 99 Salvia viridis 'Blue Denim' Clary 'Blue Denim' Mr Fothergills 100 Salvia viridis Claryssa Series, mixed Salvia horminum 'Claryssa Mixed' T&M 101 Salvia viridis colour blend Salvia horminum 'Colour Blend' Samuel Dobie & Son 102 Scabiosa atropurpurea Double Dwarf Mixed Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Double T&M Dwarf Mixed' 103 Schizanthus x wisetonenesis Angel Wings Schizanthus 'Angel Wings' Suttons Group 104 Silene coeli-rosa Brilliant Mix Viscaria 'Brilliant Mix' Suttons 105 Adonis aestivalis Adonis aestivalis Mr Fothergills 106 Amberboa moschata 'Dairy Maid' Centaurea moschata 'Dairy Maid' T&M 107 Amberboa moschata 'The Bridge' Centraurea moschata 'The Bride' T&M 108 Cerinthe major var. purpurascens Cerinthe major T&M 109 Cerinthe major var. purpurascens Cerinthe major 'Purpurescens Kings Quality 'Mignonette' Mignonette' Seeds 110 Leucanthemum pallens 'Summer Sparkler' Chrysanthemum subsp. 'Summer Floragran Sparkler' 111 Calandrinia grandiflora 'Brightness' Cistanthe grandiflora 'Brightness' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 112 Coreopsis tinctoria 'Mardi Gras' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 113 Cynoglossum amabile 'Chill Out' Cynoglossum zeylanicum 'Chill K. Sahin, Zaden Out' B.V. 114 Emilia sonchifolia var. javanica 'Irish Poet' Emilia javanica 'Irish Poet' Suttons 115 Gaillardia pulchella Razzledazzle Mix Gaillardia pulchella 'Razzledazzle T&M Mix' 9 116 Gillia achilefolia M Christopher 117 Linum usitatissimum 'Blue Dress' Linum 'Blue Dress' Suttons 118 Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea Helipterum 'Pierrot' T&M 'Pierrot' TALL (Height: 75cm +, 2 x 3.6 rows of each entry) 119 Amberboa muricata T&M 120 Bupleurum rotundifolium Bupleurum griffithii Kings Quality Seeds 121 Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball' T&M 122 Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Diadem' T&M 123 Cynoglossum amabile 'Mystery Rose' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 124 Glebionis segeta 'Eastern Star' Chrysanthemum 'Eastern Star' Mr Fothergills 125 Ismelia carinata 'Bright Eyes' Chrysanthemum 'Bright Eyes' Suttons 126 Ismelia carinata Summer Festival Group Chrysanthemum carinatum T&M 'Summer Festival' 127 Consolida 'Moody Blues' Larkspur 'Moody Blues' Johnsons Seeds 128 Consolida ajacis 'Splish Splash' Delphinium ajacis 'Splish Splash' T&M 129 Consolida regalis 'Bicolour Cloud' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 130 Consolida regalis Cloudy Skies Group Delphinium consolida 'Cloudy T&M Skies Mixed' 131 Consolida regalis Sublime series, mixed Delphinium consolida 'Sublime T&M Mixed' 132 Consolida Tall Hyacinth-flowered Group Larkspur 'Tall Hyacinth Flowered' Samuel Dobie & Son 133 Lindheimera texana 'Sunny Boy' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 134 Lupinus elegans 'Pink Fairy' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 135 Lupinus mutabilis 'Sunrise' Lupinus hartwegii 'Sunrise' T&M 136 Mirabilis viscosa 'Exotic Dreams' Floragran 137 Nigella damascena 'Oxford Blue' T&M 138 Nigella garidella 'Lucky Blue' Floragran 139 Nigella papillosa 'African Bride' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 140 Orlaya grandiflora M Christopher 141 Orlaya grandiflora 'White Lace' K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. 142 Phacelia tanacetifolia M Christopher 143 Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Ace of Spades' T&M 144 Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Blue Cushion' Scabious 'Blue Cushion' Mr Fothergills 145 Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Ebony and Ivory' T&M 146 Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Musical Prelude' Johnsons Seeds 147 Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Oxford Blue' T&M 148 Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Summer Berries' Scabiosa 'Summer Berries' Suttons

10 149 Scabiosa atropurpurea Summer Sundae Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Summer T&M Group Sundae' 150 Scabiosa atropurpurea tall double mixed Scabious 'Tall Double Mixed' Mr Fothergills 151 Ammi majus 'Graceland' T&M 152 Ammi visnaga T&M 153 Agrostemma githago 'Ocean Pearl' T&M 154 Agrostemma gracilis Queen Series, mixed Agrostemma gracilis 'Queen Mix' T&M 155 Consolida 'Kingsize Scarlet' Larkspur 'Kingsize Scarlet' Mr Fothergills 156 Consolida 'Lavender Kiss' Larkspur 'Lavender Kiss' Mr Fothergills 157 Scabiosa tenuis M Christopher

Senders List: Ms M Christopher, Phoenix Perennial Plants, Paice Lane, Medstead, Alton, Hants GU34 5PR Floragran, Aalsvoort 67, 7241 MA Lochem, Holland Hem Zaden B.V., P.O. Box 4, 1606 ZG Venhuizen, Holland Johnsons Seeds Gazely Road Kentford Newmarket Suffolk, CB8 7QB Kieft Seeds Holland, P.O. Box 63, 1606 ZH Venhuizen, Holland E W King & Co Ltd, Monks Farm, Pantlings Lane, Kelvedon, Essex CO5 9PG K. Sahin, Zaden B.V., Gouwestraat 11, P.O. Box 227, 2400 AE Alphen aan den Rijn, Holland Mr Fothergills Seeds Ltd, Gazely Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7QB Samuel Dobie & Son, Long Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7SX Suttons, Woodview Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7NG Thompson and Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU

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Source: Trials Office, The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB

e-mail: [email protected]. More information about RHS Trials and other colour illustrated reports can be found on

the RHS Website : http://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/awards2008.asp

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