Articles
Herbaceous perennial trials at Colorado State University
Article number
1435_9
Pages
77 – 82
Language
English
Abstract
Public and private plant trials are critical for the horticulture industry, providing valuable feedback about plant performance.
The Colorado State University (CSU) trial gardens attract thousands of visitors each year.
The trial gardens evaluate both annual and perennial species marketed in the United States (US) horticulture industry.
The CSU perennial trials were established in 2007 as there was increased interest in evaluating new perennial plant species and cultivars, and how they adapt and perform in the Rocky Mountain environment, which is classified as a steppe region.
The trial gardens do not receive any direct state or public funding and are supported through trial entry fees.
The gardens do also receive donations and support from horticulture industry, associations, foundations, and other green industry affiliates.
Perennial plants are evaluated for a period of three years to include three summer growing seasons and two winter seasons.
Perennials are received from plant breeding companies and plant brokers early in the season, grown in the greenhouse until planting in mid-spring.
Plants are evaluated for plant vigor, uniformity, flowering, and overall tolerance to environmental stresses.
In the 17 years of perennial trialing, over 125 different genera have been trialed.
The top 10 most trialed genera have been Dianthus, Echinacea, Coreopsis, Phlox, Salvia, Heuchera, Penstemon, Leucanthemum, Lavandula, and Veronica. Plant trials will continue to be important for plant breeding companies and marketers to identify plants that perform well in landscapes under specific environmental conditions.
The Colorado State University (CSU) trial gardens attract thousands of visitors each year.
The trial gardens evaluate both annual and perennial species marketed in the United States (US) horticulture industry.
The CSU perennial trials were established in 2007 as there was increased interest in evaluating new perennial plant species and cultivars, and how they adapt and perform in the Rocky Mountain environment, which is classified as a steppe region.
The trial gardens do not receive any direct state or public funding and are supported through trial entry fees.
The gardens do also receive donations and support from horticulture industry, associations, foundations, and other green industry affiliates.
Perennial plants are evaluated for a period of three years to include three summer growing seasons and two winter seasons.
Perennials are received from plant breeding companies and plant brokers early in the season, grown in the greenhouse until planting in mid-spring.
Plants are evaluated for plant vigor, uniformity, flowering, and overall tolerance to environmental stresses.
In the 17 years of perennial trialing, over 125 different genera have been trialed.
The top 10 most trialed genera have been Dianthus, Echinacea, Coreopsis, Phlox, Salvia, Heuchera, Penstemon, Leucanthemum, Lavandula, and Veronica. Plant trials will continue to be important for plant breeding companies and marketers to identify plants that perform well in landscapes under specific environmental conditions.
Authors
C.T. Miller, D. Staats
Keywords
cultivar testing, display gardens, floriculture, horticulture, plant trials, row trials
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