Articles
Exploring performance of Achimenes in landscape trials in the Intermountain West and Great Plains
Article number
1435_41
Pages
311 – 318
Language
English
Abstract
Achimenes are a member of the Gesneriaceae and geophytic herbaceous plants that arise from scaly rhizomes.
The genus has typically been produced for use as a potted flowering plant and used in mixed containers and hanging baskets.
Plants bloom continuously throughout the summer in a wide spectrum of colors: reds, yellows, pinks, blues, violets, and whites, in single and double forms.
However, limited cultural information exists on landscape use of Achimenes. The objective of this study was to assess plant performance of several Achimenes cultivars in different landscape microclimates at two different geographic locations in public garden spaces at Kansas State University [(KSU) Manhattan, KS USA] and Colorado State University [(CSU) Fort Collins, CO USA]. Plants were evaluated in two landscape situations: in the ground and in large planters with soilless substrate.
Plants were evaluated in sun and part-shade to shade conditions.
Growth parameters of plant height and width, and ratings (scale of 0-6) for water spotting, sunscald, and overall plant quality, were recorded weekly for 5 or 6 weeks.
At KSU, ‘Purple Prince’ achimenes were planted into the landscape on 21 June and data collection ended on 3 August 2023. At CSU, several cultivars were planted in the landscape on 12 July and data collection ended on 24 August 2023. At CSU, ‘Pink Clouds’ was tested in both containers and in the ground.
At both sites, ‘Purple Prince’ performed better in the soilless substrate of containers compared to the ground.
Plant quality for ‘Purple Prince’ deteriorated rapidly in high light intensity environments at KSU, and sun scald ratings were ~two ratings units worse in sun compared to shade each week. ‘Purple Prince’ performed equally well in shade and part shade conditions at CSU. ‘Pink Clouds’ was more resistant to foliage damage from water spotting than other cultivars, although not always significant. ‘Pink Clouds’ performed about as well in both container and ground trial plantings at CSU. Achimenes can be used in landscape plantings but will perform better under part sun to shade conditions.
The genus has typically been produced for use as a potted flowering plant and used in mixed containers and hanging baskets.
Plants bloom continuously throughout the summer in a wide spectrum of colors: reds, yellows, pinks, blues, violets, and whites, in single and double forms.
However, limited cultural information exists on landscape use of Achimenes. The objective of this study was to assess plant performance of several Achimenes cultivars in different landscape microclimates at two different geographic locations in public garden spaces at Kansas State University [(KSU) Manhattan, KS USA] and Colorado State University [(CSU) Fort Collins, CO USA]. Plants were evaluated in two landscape situations: in the ground and in large planters with soilless substrate.
Plants were evaluated in sun and part-shade to shade conditions.
Growth parameters of plant height and width, and ratings (scale of 0-6) for water spotting, sunscald, and overall plant quality, were recorded weekly for 5 or 6 weeks.
At KSU, ‘Purple Prince’ achimenes were planted into the landscape on 21 June and data collection ended on 3 August 2023. At CSU, several cultivars were planted in the landscape on 12 July and data collection ended on 24 August 2023. At CSU, ‘Pink Clouds’ was tested in both containers and in the ground.
At both sites, ‘Purple Prince’ performed better in the soilless substrate of containers compared to the ground.
Plant quality for ‘Purple Prince’ deteriorated rapidly in high light intensity environments at KSU, and sun scald ratings were ~two ratings units worse in sun compared to shade each week. ‘Purple Prince’ performed equally well in shade and part shade conditions at CSU. ‘Pink Clouds’ was more resistant to foliage damage from water spotting than other cultivars, although not always significant. ‘Pink Clouds’ performed about as well in both container and ground trial plantings at CSU. Achimenes can be used in landscape plantings but will perform better under part sun to shade conditions.
Authors
C.T. Miller, A. Pace, C. Hishaw, K.A. Williams, C.R. Boyer, D. Staats
Keywords
floriculture, gesneriad, horticulture, hot water plant, monkey-faced pansy
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