Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, has released their 2010 trial garden results. Four summer bedding plants that flower; Scaevola aemula ‘Scala White,’ Petchoa ‘Supercal Blue,’ Petunia milliflora ‘Picobella Rose Morn’ and Petunia multiflora ‘Hurrah Blue Veined’ received an excellent rating of number 5 from the horticultural judges.
The plants at the trial garden were judged on the vegetative quality, vigor, color, health, susceptibility to disease and pests and overall presentation. Observations were made by the judges on July 15, August 4, August 25 and September 15.
Fan Flower Scaevola Scala White for Butterfly Gardens
The fan flower called Scaevola is an annual plant that grows well in full sun, attracts butterflies and bees and will tolerate bouts of dry weather. Scaevola is a low maintenance bedding plant because it is self-cleaning and does not experience pest or disease issues.
Notes written about the Scaevola ‘Scala White’ in Columbus, Ohio, stated that the plant had excellent branching and handles extreme weather. Scaevola aemula ‘Scala White’ was also tested at the JC Raulston Arboretum in North Carolina.
Calibrachoa and Petunia Part of Petchoa Supercal Blue
The recent Petchoa species, developed by crossing Petunia and Calibrachoa, gives gardeners another annual plant option. In a recent video by Allan Armitage, he indicates that Petchoa annuals are not pH sensitive. That is a bonus for the home gardener when growing them in a planting bed.
Petchoa ‘Supercal Blue’ has a trailing groundcover habit that grows 10” – 14” tall. Each purplish blue flower is contrasted by a darker throat. The plant is disease resistant with no sticky foliage. Notes written about Petchoa ‘Supercal Blue’ simply stated that the flower was nice. At the University of Georgia-Athens trials this plant received a 4.25 rating.
Petunia Milliflora Picobella Rose Morn
Petunia milliflora plants are characterized by the compact miniature size and multitude of one-inch diameter flowers. This is the smallest of the Petunia varieties.
Petunia milliflora ‘Picobella Rose Morn’ flowers have a bright rose color. Notes written about this compact plant indicate that in August the centers showed signs of splitting and at the end of the month the plant started to get a bit leggy.
Petunia Multiflora Hurrah Blue Veined
Petunia multifloras have a tighter growth habit than grandifloras and have smaller blooms. Gardeners like these qualities allowing this Petunia to more easily withstand rain.
Petunia multiflora ‘Hurrah Blue Veined’ is aptly named for the blue flowers marked with deep blue veining. The compact plant continuously flowers in heat and humidity. Notes written about Petunia multiflora ‘Hurrah Blue Veined’ indicate that the plant began to get leggy early in August but on August 25 it still looked nice. This Petunia earned a top five rating from the consumer evaluation, as well.
Trial Garden Planting and Garden Maintenance
The trail garden planting and maintenance is meant to replicate the routine of an average homeowner. The summer bedding plants were installed on May 17. Also on May 17, a one-time fertilizer application of Scotts Miracle Grow Shake ‘N Feed, a continuous release fertilizer of 10-10-10 applied at a rate of 1Ib. per square foot, was given at the time of installation. The garden received a minimum of 1” of water per week after the six-week establishment period.
Weather Conditions at Franklin Park Conservatory in 2010
Franklin Park Conservatory is located in the central section of Ohio in the state’s capital of Columbus. A summary of weather conditions provides gardeners with an overview of the summer’s weather conditions in 2010 that the plants grew under:
- In June, the actual rainfall for the month was 5.38.” The temperature was an average of 82°F with the minimum at 71°F and maximum temperature 93°F.
- In July, the actual accumulated rainfall was 6.01.” The average temperature was 86°F with the minimum at 78°F and maximum temperature 94°F.
- In August, the actual accumulated rainfall was 2.23.” The average temperature was 83°F with the minimum at 73°F and maximum temperature 93°F.
- In September, the actual accumulated rainfall was 1.66.” The average temperature was 81°F with the minimum at 69°F and maximum temperature 94°F.
Annual Summer Bedding Plant Winners from a Midwest Trial Garden
Scaevola aemula ‘Scala White,’ Petchoa ‘Supercal Blue,’ Petunia milliflora ‘Picobella Rose Morn’ and Petunia multiflora ‘Hurrah Blue Veined’ were winners at Franklin Park Conservatory in 2010. Each of these annual bedding plants can be incorporated into window box or hanging basket ideas as they will easily trail over the rim of a container.
Gardeners interested in more annual bedding plant winners may want to read about coleus plant winners in 2009.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
Chris Eirschele - Chris writes on plants grown and gardens explored; she is a member of the Garden Writers Association.
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