2004 ANNUAL TRIALS COLUMBUS Campus In Ground Trials by: Monica Kmetz-González and Dr. Claudio Pasian Department of Horticulture and Crop Science The Ohio State University 2004 marked a year of continuing expansion for our trials. This was the first year our in-ground trials were conducted at a new site adjacent to our Departmental buildings, in an area of high visibility on the Columbus campus. The beds are all located in full sun. New ground has already been broken which will more than double our trial bed space for the 2005 season. See tables with results and photos below General Information Seeded entries were sown at staggered dates in March to early April for us by David Cuthbert at Darby Creek Growers, Orient, OH, and grown on until full plug size. They were then transplanted in our Departmental greenhouses along with the majority of the vegetative entries ~ mid-April to 3.5 inch cell packs. Vegetative geranium entries were received on March 12, and transplanted to 4.5 inch pots on March 15. All plants were transplanted outside to the trial beds between May 20 thru May 24. In general, 7 to 10 plants per cultivar were trialed on 1.5 foot centers. Spacing was varied as needed by species. Watering and Fertilization Watered as needed by hose and/or overhead sprinkler. Fertilization at post-planting with Peters 20-10-20 200 PPM N via Dosatron. Fertilization at weekly intervals for the 1st month; then at 2 - 3 week intervals through August. Weather Conditions The first weeks of the growing season were wet with lower-than-normal temperatures, so plants were slow to start. Intermittent periods of high heat and humidity kicked the plants into gear. Overall, it was a season of lower-than-normal temperatures and above-average rainfall. Pest and Disease Problems There were a few problems with root rot early in the season on a few susceptible species due to the cool, wet conditions. There were no noticeable insect problems. Evaluation Dates Evaluations were performed on a monthly basis beginning approximately one month after transplant. This year, plant characteristic ratings were performed on July 19, August 17, and September 16 by the Trials Coordinator and Trials Leader. Evaluation Criteria Ratings were based on a 1 - 5 scale: 1 = poor/not acceptable, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent. Plants were evaluated for the following characteristics:  Flower Number : 1 = Low, 5 = very floriferous Flower Quality : Aesthetics, color, health and appearance Foliage/Plant Vigor : Vegetative vigor, aesthetics/color, health, and appearance Plant Uniformity :  1 = Quality is variable from plant to plant, 5 = Similar quality between all plants Overall:  Overall rating for all plants in the grouping, taking all the above aspects into consideration. Consumer Preference Evaluations   In addition, our Annuals Team of Master Gardeners (comprised of 7 individuals this season) evaluated the entries at monthly intervals on July 27, August 17, and September 21. An "Overall" rating on a 1 - 5 scale (with 5 = excellent) was given per entry. This was conducted as a "personal preference" rating. RESULTS Trial results are presented in the following groups of tables. TABLE 1 - Consumer Preference Evaluation (Complete with PHOTOS of the individual varieties) TABLE 2 - OVERALL Season Average - Average of Overall Season Ratings of Plant Characteristics TABLE 3 - JULY Evaluation of Plant Characteristics TABLE 4 - AUGUST Evaluation of Plant Characteristics TABLE 5 - SEPTEMBER Evaluation of Plant Characteristics PHOTOS: Individual cultivar photos can be accessed from Table 1. Take an overall look at our trial area: PHOTO 1 ,  PHOTO 2 ,  PHOTO 3 . The BEST of 2004 Top Overall Season Performers in our Plant Characteristic Evaluations. The following received the highest overall season ratings( listed in order with rankings between 5 to 4.58): Coleus ‘Brown Sugar Drop' Coleus ‘Chocolate Drop' Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost' Scaevola ‘Whirlwind Blue Velvet' Ageratum ‘Artist Blue' Eragrostis ‘Elliottii Wind Dancer' Mecardonia ‘Gold Flake' Petunia ‘Supertunia Lavender Dawn' Coleus‘Strawberry Drop' Phlox ‘J.P. White' Also scoring very high (between 4.5 - 4.42) were: Pentas ‘Graffiti Pink' Petunia ‘Easy Wave Red' Phlox ‘Intensia' series (‘Lilac Rose' ‘Neon Pink' ‘Lavender Glow') Vinca ‘Titan Blush' Vinca ‘Titan Burgundy' Please note that many other entries performed very well in the trials. Consult Table 2. Entries with overall average ratings of 4.0 and above would be recommended for the Columbus, Ohio area. Top Performers in the Consumer Preference Evaluations In order, the Top 15 entries for the Overall Season, as rated by our Master Gardeners were: Scaevola 'Whirlwind Blue Velvet' Phlox 'J.P. White' Phlox 'Intensia Lavender Glow' Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' Pentas 'Graffiti Pink' Pentas 'Graffiti Violet' Ageratum 'Artist Blue' Phlox 'Intensia Neon Pink' Angelonia 'Angelface White' Petunia 'Supertunia Lavender Dawn' Bracteantha 'Sundaze Flame' Mecardonia 'Gold Flake' Phlox 'Intensia Lilac Rose' Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' Petunia 'Dreams Sky Blue' Top Picks by the Trial Coordinator These were nonstop performers in our trials this season: Ageratum 'Artist Blue' Coleus 'Brown Sugar Drop' and 'Chocolate Drop' Coleus 'Sedona' (a very unique color and character in the landscape. This one did decline by September). Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' (a personal favorite. Nice light texture and is still performing now as I write this in November). Mecardonia 'Gold Flake' Petunia 'Supertunia Lavender Dawn' (this one just flowered nonstop) Acknowledgments A big thanks to David Cuthbert of Darby Creek Growers, Orient, OH for sowing and growing on the seeded entries for this year's trial. We would like to acknowledge the help of our excellent Annuals Team of Master Gardeners - Caye Aiello, Joyce Gravlee, Ken Kotch, Kathy Krantz, Mary Straney, Juliet Taylor, and Bev Vogeley. Their hard work and dedication to this project is truly appreciated. Thanks also to Annette Duetz, Learning Gardens Supervisor and David Snodgrass, Greenhouse Coordinator for their expert assistance. And we thank the following companies for their participation in this year's trials: BALL SEED COMPANY = http://ballhort.com BENARY = http://www.benary.de/ FISCHER USA = http://www.fischerusa.com PANAMERICAN SEEDS = http://www.panamseed.com PROVEN WINNERS= http://www.provenwinners.com TWYFORD INTERNATIONAL = http://loop.phpwebhosting.com/~iepro/twyford/