High performing trial favourites February 9, 2021
All photos: R Tschanz
It is fortunate that plants can always provide us with moments of pleasure and joy in the face of pandemic gloom and uncertainty.
In spite of COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, the University of Guelph was able to host a small open house at the Landscape Ontario and Guelph Turfgrass locations during the second week of August in 2020. Approximately 520 annuals and perennials were trialed in beds and containers, where appropriate.
In this article, I will highlight particular plants which exhibited unique ornamental displays and above average garden performance in the 2020 trials. The elevated temperatures of early summer, in combination with spotty, but at times intense rain and wind, had a significant impact on the performance of each individual trial entry.
Credit: Courtesy of Balls Horticultural
Diane Blazek, executive director of National Garden Bureau and All-America Selections (AAS), based outside Chicago, shares a sunny forecast for new plants in 2021.
“Everyone is talking about the cheerful yellow,” says Diane, referring to one of Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year – “Illuminating” yellow. “And the great thing is this year’s yellow has enough hues like soft yellow for spring, bright yellow for summer and gold yellow for fall that we can all take advantage of it.”
Check out 10 plants that will bring some cheer to your landscape starting with Bees Knees petunias.
These non-stop petunias shine all summer long with intense color that doesn’t fade in the sun. Blazek suggests planting them in containers, hanging baskets or flower beds in a sunny location. (Annual; 8-10” H)
Got garden troubles? Learn to become a discerning plant purchaser
Updated Feb 04, 2021;
Posted Feb 04, 2021
Facebook Share
When it comes to picking plants, variety matters.
One big advantage veteran gardeners have over beginners is that they research and seek out the absolute best plant choices (varieties or “cultivars”), while rookies tend to buy whatever they find, figuring that a rose is a rose is a rose.
The truth is that all roses aren’t created equal – and neither is any other plant. right down to the specific type of grass blades in your lawn.
Genetic variances can make the difference between plants that thrive and ones that croak.
This time of year gardeners in Northeast Ohio may be poring over seed catalogs or websites, drawing and redrawing garden plans, and dreaming of spring. Each year around this time I discuss the new All-America Selections award-designated vegetables.
All-America Selections is a nonprofit organization formed in 1932 by W. Ray Hastings, who was president of the Southern Seedsmen’s Association of Atlanta. At the time, garden editors had little information about new varieties, and sometimes information provided was incorrect. The mission of the All-America Selections organization is “to promote new garden varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America.” The first trials were performed in 1932, and new AAS winners have been introduced each year since.