After three seasons growing in the challenging conditions of the Rocky Mountains, 6 perennial plants have been named “Top Performers” by researchers at Colorado State University.
Evaluating perennials in the Rocky Mountains
The purpose of the trial garden is to evaluate new perennial plant species and cultivars under the unique Rocky Mountain environmental conditions. Plants are evaluated for plant vigor, uniformity, floriferousness and tolerance to environmental and biotic stresses. The Perennial Trial program at Colorado State University is designed to test newer perennial cultivars that have been introduced in the past three years or less. Entries in this trial are grown for three summers and two winters before they are switched out for new entries.
About the Trial Garden
CSU’s Flower Trial Garden, which draws thousands of visitors each year, relies on student gardeners, volunteers, industry supporters and experts who help provide a detailed analysis of plant performance. Colorado State Extension Master Gardeners play an essential role in planting and maintenance of the garden. The outcome of this research is valuable to the industry and home gardeners alike. That’s because the Rocky Mountain region has unique growing conditions, characterized by high altitude, intense solar radiation, drying winds, severe hailstorms, large fluctuations between day and night temperatures and a season-long need for irrigation.
The Perennial Trial Garden receives no direct public funding. It is funded primarily by fees from plant-breeding companies that submit entries to the trials. The garden also receives donations from industry associations, foundations, nurseries, plant producers and other companies in the green industry.
Performance evaluation
Photos and data on plants and flowers were collected on a bi-weekly basis from May to early October. Dead plants in the trial were not considered in the bi-weekly evaluation; thus, the ratings given only reflect the live plants. Members from the Perennial Trial subcommittee also came and wrote comments for each plant in June, July, August and September. Plants and flowers were rated 0-5 using the following scale:
0 = Dead/No flowers
1 = Poor: Plants are very sick or dying, extremely few flowers.
2 = Below Average: Plants are unattractive in some form, i.e. – leggy growth habit, chlorotic or low vigor, flowers are few and occurring sporadically.
3 = Average: Plant appearance with growth characteristics that would be expected for the time of the season; flowers would be few but uniform across the plants.
4 = Good: Plants look attractive (foliage, growth habit, etc.,); flowers are blooming strong and showy.
5 = Excellent: Plants are very healthy and uniform; flowering is impressive.
Selection of ‘Top Performers’
On Nov. 20, 2017, a conference call was convened with CSU staff and the Perennial Trial Garden Subcommittee. Pictures of entries from the 2015 planting were posted to the Perennial Trial website for review. Data from the growing season was compiled and emailed to each evaluator prior to the conference call for the review. After discussion and looking at the pictures taken throughout the season, each plant was voted on by each member of the committee as to whether it should be awarded the designation as a “Top Performer”.
‘Top Performer’ Perennials from the 2017 CSU Perennial Trial
Kahori® Border Pink from Bartels
(Dianthus ‘Kahori’)
Noted as a real step up in breeding, evaluators described this as the new standard for Dianthus. The vibrant pink flowers covered the plants at peak bloom and created a mat of stunning color against the green foliage. This entry was superior for an extremely long period of bloom and exceptional uniformity. It has proven to be reliably hardy and would look great in a rock garden, ground beds, borders, and a great choice to use in containers since it was always in bloom. This selection remained very compact and has great heat tolerance during the peak of summer temperatures. It was very attractive even during its first year in the garden and has only gotten better each year since it was planted.
Winterbells® Helleborus from Hilverdakooij
(Helleborus Interspecific ‘JWLS’)
This winner was selected in part for its unique ability to bloom from early spring till late summer. It added a touch of elegance to the garden with a classic white flower, attractive glossy foliage and a very attractive dense, compact growth habit. Not only did the nodding flowers change color over the season but the foliage can be evergreen in a protected area for year-round interest. Besides making a great groundcover, the flowers are useful for cut flower production.
PHENOMENAL™ Lavender from Cultivaris
(Lavandula x intermedia ‘Niko’PP24193)
The abundant, tall graceful flower stalks are held high above the foliage for maximum display. Besides being very uniform, all plants had excellent cold hardiness. They do best grown on the drier side to avoid lodging of the flower stalks. Pollinators were very attracted to this plant and it has a high oil content that makes it very attractive for commercial production.
Flame® Blue Phlox from Bartels
(Phlox paniculata Flame® Blue)
Abundant blue flowers that fade to white were held upright on sturdy stems with dark emerald green leaves that never lodged despite overhead irrigation used in the garden. Flower color was a subtle blue that is strongest in early summer and again late in the season as the temperature cools. It was a relatively early bloomer starting in mid-July. Self-branching plants had a very full and uniform growth habit. Plants had superior resistance to powdery mildew.
Ronica™ Dark Pink Veronica from Danziger
(Veronica Ronica™ Dark Pink)
Big, fat and stout flower spikes put on an eye-catching show of dark pink flowers. Plants kept a very formal appearance with great uniformity and dark green emerald foliage that really sets off the pink flowers. Bloom period was very long, especially if deadheaded. The plant had superior resistance to powdery mildew compared to other entries growing in the trial. The Growth habit was very full and dense.
Class of 2016 – ‘Too Good to Wait’ Award
The Perennial Trial Garden Sub-committee likes to award the “Top Performer” designation to superior plants that have been in the ground 2 winters and 3 growing seasons. This category is to acknowledge an upcoming plant that has been in the ground one winter and two growing seasons and shows excellent performance thus far in the trial. The following plant impressed the Perennial Trial Garden Sub-committee so much that they designated the category name: “Too Good to Wait Performer.”
KISMET™ Intense Orange Coneflower from Terra Nova Nurseries
(Echinacea ‘TNECHKIO’PPAF )
The sheer mass of vibrant flowers drew people from across the garden. Prolific flowers formed a solid canopy of blooms over the plants and are sure to spell success for the gardener. The intense orange color almost seemed to glow at its peak. Flower color faded to an attractive shade of pale yellow to maintain a long season of bloom. The foliage was unique shaped and attractive early in the season. Plants had a very uniform growth habit and good branching. The KISMET™ series also features colors of raspberry, red and yellow.
