variety information University of Florida’s For more information on the varieties discussed in this article, direct your inquiries Best to the following companies. AMERICAN TAKII INC. (831) 443-4901 www.takii.com The best of times, the worst of times and things ERNST BENARY OF AMERICA to come for seed-propagated bedding plants. (815) 895-6705 www.benary.com By Rick Kelly, Rick Schoellhorn, FLORANOVA PLANT BREEDERS Zhanao Deng and Brent K. Harbaugh (574) 674-4200 www.floranova.co.uk GOLDSMITH SEEDS rowers around the sive replicated trials. Cultivars to be cultivar to compare new entries in (800) 549-0158 country face a deci- evaluated are placed into classes by each new trial. If the new entry per- www.goldsmithseeds.com sion when producing species, flower and foliage color, forms better, it takes the best-of- bedding plants for plant height and growth habit. Two class position; if only one plant is KIEFT SEEDS HOLLAND (360) 445-2031 the Deep South and similar cli- duplicate fields are planted. One entered in a class, it becomes the www.kieftseeds.com mates around the world. There, field is scouted and sprayed, as uncontested best-of-class. We coop- needed. Plant measurements, per- erate with four of Florida’s premier flowers may flourish year-round; PANAMERICAN SEED however,G the moderate to high tem- formance, flowering data and culti- public gardens to display the best- (630) 231-1400 peratures and ample moisture fuel var performance are evaluated of-class selections in their formal www.panamseed.com the fires of disaster, as plant pests there. The other field is not sprayed, landscapes for public display. also thrive under these conditions. and pest symptom ratings are taken We produce our own plugs to SAKATA SEED AMERICA Plants bred and evaluated else- there. Pathologists and entomolo- ensure uniform plants with the (408) 778-7758 where may not meet the challenges gists diagnose pests when neces- same history are available for plant- www.sakata.com faced in hot and humid climates. sary. Data is recorded over the ing. Spring trial plugs are moved to This decision may also exist course of the season and analyzed the field in late March or early SEED SENSE between market choice and garden to provide unbiased statistical com- April into raised fumigated beds +44 (0)1263 722262 www.creative-corner.co.uk/ performance. A consumer may parisons. Average ratings for foliage covered with plastic mulch. Each seedsense/index.htm abandon a species that had eye and flower quality, pests and plant plant is fertilized with 2 tsp. death from soil-borne pathogens are Osmocote Plus 15-3.9-9.9 fertilizer appeal, but later proved to have S&G FLOWERS utilized for an overall performance (15-9-12 slow-release type with poor landscape performance. (800) 323-7253 Our mandate is to determine rating. We pick only one cultivar in micronutrients, The Scotts Co.). www.sg-flowers-us.com landscape performance of seed- each class to be “best-of-class” Only the sprayed± field is drenched propagated annuals in comprehen- based on this rating. We use this with fungicides. Left to right: Torenia ‘Duchess Deep Blue’ (Goldsmith Seeds); alternanthera ‘Purple Knight’ (PanAmerican Seed); iresine ‘Purple Lady’ (PanAmerican Seed); hibiscus ‘Luna Blush’ (PanAmerican Seed). 48 GPN May 2004 variety information 1999 THROUGH 2003 through 2003 and why they new competition in 2004. Refer to these cultivars, days to first Following are the spring/fall excelled. Many cultivars are new Figures 1, 2 and 3, below and flower and flower diameters. crops with the highest ratings and some are “old timers” that pages 52, 54 and 56 and Ageratum houstonianum.± from trial evaluations from 1999 continue to be the best and await www.gpnmag.com for the list of ‘Fields Blue’ and ‘Hawaii Shell Figure 1. Days to first flower and flower diameter of best-of-class cultivars evaluated at the Gulf Coast Research Center (spring trials). Days to Flower Days to Flower First Flower Diameter First Flower Diameter Year Scientific Name Cultivar after Sowing (inches) Year Scientific Name Cultivar after Sowing (inches) 2002 Ageratum houstonianum Fields Blue (S&G) 60 No data 2003 Dianthus barbatus Amazon Rose Magic (PanAmerican) 102 0.8 2001 Ageratum houstonianum Hawaii Shell Pink (Bodger) 64 No data interspecific 2002 Begonia Vodka Cocktail (Benary) 95 1.1 2003 Dianthus hybrida Dynasty Purple (PanAmerican) 87 1.4 semperflorens-cultorum 2003 Dianthus hybrida Dynasty Red (PanAmerican) 83 1.1 2002 Begonia Harmony White (Ball Seed) 77 1.1 2003 Dianthus hybrida Dynasty White Blush (PanAmerican) 83 1.1 semperflorens-cultorum 2002 Eustoma grandiflorum Forever White (PanAmerican) 100 2.4 2003 Begonia Bayou Rose (Goldsmith Seeds) 79 1.2 2002 Eustoma grandiflorum Sapphire Double White (PanAmerican) 106 2.6 semperflorens-cultorum 2002 Eustoma grandiflorum Sapphire Blue Chip (PanAmerican) 99 1.6 2003 Begonia Lotto White (Benary) 77 1.1 2002 Gazania rigens Kiss Bronze (Goldsmith Seeds) 64 1.9 semperflorens-cultorum 2002 Gazania rigens Kiss Mahogany (Goldsmith Seeds) 63 1.9 2002 Begonia Eureka Bronze Leaf Rose (S&G) 92 1.3 2002 Gazania rigens Kiss White (Goldsmith Seeds) 62 1.9 semperflorens-cultorum 2003 Gomphrena globosa Bi-color Rose (Takii) 70 0.7 2003 Begonia Eureka Green Leaf Scarlet (S&G) 96 1.0 2001 Helianthus annuus Lemon Éclair (Seed Sense) 54 6.3 semperflorens-cultorum 2003 Hibiscus moscheutos Luna Blush (PanAmerican) 112 7.1 2002 Canna x generalis Tropical Yellow (Takii) 90 4.3 2003 Hibiscus moscheutos Luna Red (PanAmerican) 113 8.7 2001 Capsicum annuum Chilly Chili (PanAmerican) 58 No data 2003 Impatiens wallerana Dazzler Orange Improved (PanAmerican) 68 1.7 2003 Catharanthus roseus Stardust Mix (PanAmerican) 73 1.6 2003 Impatiens wallerana Tutu Salmon (Floranova) 74 1.6 2003 Catharanthus roseus First Kiss Icy Pink (Benary) 69 1.9 2001 Impatiens wallerana Stardust Salmon (PanAmerican) 55 1.7 2003 Catharanthus roseus Heatwave White (Bodger) 64 1.8 2003 Impatiens wallerana Accent Watermelon (Goldsmith Seeds) 68 1.7 2001 Catharanthus roseus Cascade Appleblossom (PanAmerican) 55 1.4 2003 Impatiens wallerana Dazzler Violet (PanAmerican) 67 1.7 2003 Catheranthus rosea Vitesse Lavender (Floranova) 66 2.1 2003 Impatiens wallerana Accent Red (Goldsmith Seeds) 67 1.7 2001 Catheranthus rosea Sunstorm Lilac (S&G) 56 1.7 2003 Impatiens wallerana Impact Scarlet (Sakata) 63 1.6 2003 Catheranthus rosea Victory Cranberry (Sakata) 73 1.8 2003 Impatiens wallerana Tutu Natural Rose (Floranova) 69 1.3 2003 Catheranthus rosea Vitesse Rose (Floranova) 67 2.2 2001 Impatiens wallerana Stardust Rose Improved (PanAmerican) 50 1.7 2001 Celosia argentea Prestige Scarlet (Sakata) 38 No data 2003 Impatiens wallerana Accent White (Goldsmith Seeds) 68 1.6 var. cristata 2002 Melampodium paludosum Melanie (Kieft) 53 1.3 2003 Dianthus barbatus Noverna Purple (Kieft) 92 0.7 2002 Melampodium paludosum Lemon Delight (Takii) 50 1.1 2003 Dianthus barbatus Amazon Neon Purple (PanAmerican) 106 0.9 2002 Nicotiana x alata Saratoga Antique Shades (Goldsmith Seeds) 56 1.7 interspecific 2002 Nicotiana x alata Saratoga Mixture (Goldsmith Seeds) 60 1.4 2003 Dianthus barbatus Amazon Neon Cherry (PanAmerican) 102 0.9 2002 Nicotiana x alata Saratoga White (Goldsmith Seeds) 56 1.9 interspecific 2001 Nierembergia hippomanica Mont Blanc (Takii) 65 1.0 ± variety information Pink’ had more flowers early in in separate spring trials, and loss- had the best flowering all season. “Florida pansy,” does well here, the season, less stem lodging es occurred, but ‘Miss Tilly Blue’ Worm damage on foliage and with uncontested ‘Duchess Deep and less insect/mite damage survivors had good foliage/flower thrips-like flower feeding were Blue’, Pink and Burgundy produc- than other cultivars. ratings all season without pests observed, but only the latter was ing very good to excellent flowers Platycodon grandiflorum. above the ground. serious on a yellow cultivar. on very full and uniform plants. Different cultivars were evaluated Rudbeckia hirta. ‘Toto Rustic’ Torenia fournieri. Naturally, the Alternanthera dentata. ‘Purple Days to Flower Days to Flower First Flower Diameter First Flower Diameter Year Scientific Name Cultivar after Sowing (inches) Year Scientific Name Cultivar after Sowing (inches) 2002 Pelargonium x hortorum Maverick Light Salmon (Goldsmith Seeds) 79 1.3 2002 Petunia x hybrida Kahuna White (S&G) 71 2.4 2002 Pelargonium x hortorum Maverick Star (Goldsmith Seeds) 84 1.2 2003 Phlox drummondii Grammy Pink/White (Kieft) 73 0.7 2002 Pennisetum glaucum Purple Majesty (PanAmerican) 63 No data 2003 Phlox drummondii 21st Century Patriot Mix (PanAmerican) 68 0.8 2002 Petunia x hybrida Celebrity Mid Blue (Bodger) 63 2.0 2002 Platycodon grandiflorum Miss Tilly Blue (Goldsmith Seeds) 83 2.4 2002 Petunia x hybrida Double Madness Pink (PanAmerican) 61 2.2 2002 Portulaca grandiflora Sundial Gold (Bodger) 47 1.9 2002 Petunia x hybrida Magenta Madness (PanAmerican) 61 2.2 2001 Portulaca grandiflora Sundial Peach (Bodger) 39 2.1 2002 Petunia x hybrida Celebrity Rose (Bodger) 53 2.0 2002 Portulaca grandiflora Sundial Fuchsia (Bodger) 48 2.1 2002 Petunia x hybrida Celebrity White (Bodger) 68 2.4 2002 Rudbeckia hirta Toto Rustic (Benary) 117 2.8 2003 Petunia x hybrida Storm Blue (Goldsmith Seeds) 71 2.5 2003 Salvia splendens Blue Ribbon (PanAmerican) 77 1.5 2001 Petunia x hybrida Wild Rose Mix (PanAmerican) 46 3.0 2003 Salvia splendens Sizzler Burgundy Stripe (Floranova) 84 1.3 2002 Petunia x hybrida Ultra Salmon (Goldsmith Seeds) 64 2.9 2003 Salvia splendens Picante Salmon (Goldsmith Seeds) 77 1.5 2003 Petunia