A22-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 27, 2003
Search For Blooming Plants That Tolerate Next Summer’s Scorching Heat
(Continued from Page A 1)
all growth,” said Alan Michael
who led a recent tour of the vari
ety trials during the Capitol Re
gion Summer Turf and Orna
mental School.
Participants could choose from
several workshops that included
weed, turf, soil, tree, and disease
control. Alan Michael explained
the variety trials are conducted in
search for new and improved
plants. Every plant is clearly
marked to help visitors identify
the variety.
Weather plays an important
role in a plant’s results. Three
identical plants of each variety
are planted by May 20.
The flowers are planted out
doors. To replicate growing an
nuals in shade, canvas topping is
placed over plants in adjacent
areas.
“If they don’t look good by
July 4, they are doomed for a low
rating,” Michael said.
Last summer was the driest
and hottest in Pennsylvania’s his
tory. The hottest. It severely
stressed the flowers. This year’s
early spring brought torrential
downpours and continual rain
with little sun.
Wendy Briefer, River Valley Land
scapes Inc., demonstrates container
gardening by planting Angelonia in a
bucket.
%VLEE-MAR FARM\fc*
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The unpredictable weather can
result in different performances,
but the outdoor location is com
parable to the gardens where
they will be planted, unlike trial
gardens, where irrigation is con
trolled.
Plants are evaluated for per
formance on a numerical score: 1
is unacceptable, 2 is poor, 3 is ac
ceptable, 4 is good, and 5 is excel
lent.
Plants are scored every two to
three weeks on appearance of
flowers and foliage, uniformity,
pest problems, and overall land
scape display.
Best of species is reserved for
cutivars with the highest rating
in their respective categories.
Weather isn’t the only circum
stance that causes plants to yel
low. Michael said, “Ivy is notori
ous for getting yellow, usually
from lack of iron. Add iron, but
only on amounts specified. Too
much causes toxicity.
“There are 137 varieties of new
Guinea impatiens. You’d be hard
pressed to And a bad one in all
those varieties, but five years ago,
it was the opposite,” Michael
said.
(Turn to Page A 23)
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