NCROC Top 10 Annual Flowers, 2015

Annual Flower trials are hosted at the North

Central Research and Outreach Center every

year. These trials are an evaluation of specific

flower varieties and how they do in a field

environment. Companies such as Syngenta,

Ball Floral, Floral Nova, Suntory, Proven

Winners and many others host their annual

trials here on campus. We grade their flowers

for such criteria as color, uniformity,

uniqueness, height, spread, drought tolerance,

and insect/disease resistance. This

information is available through the

companies we report back to as well as an

annual report done for the specific varieties at

NCROC. For more information please go to http://ncroc.cfans.umn.edu/research/horticulture

Commone Name Variety Company

Gaura Sparkle White AAS

Petunia Supertunia® Pink Star Charm PW

Canna South Pacific Scarlet F1 AAS

Dianthus Jolt Cherry PA

Portulaca Mojave® Pink PW

Petunia TriTunia™ Lavender SY

Bidens Campfire™ Fireburst PW

Cosmos Apollo Pink FL

Lobelia Suntory Sky Blue ST

Coleus scutellarioides Flame Thrower Chipolte BF

Petunia Supertunia® Pink Star Charm: This smaller

flower petunia was chosen because of its great uniformity,

and its ability to act as a ground cover for gardens. The

Unique patterning also has made it one of the more popular

flowers for photographs within the NCROC flower beds

Gaura Sparkle White: This season-long bloomer is a

favorite at NCROC for its long and delicate stems that

support the small but unique flowers. Works well in our

full-sun containers and grows to be 24” tall.

Cana South Pacific Scarlet F1: This is the only Cana in the

NCROC Flower beds this season. Its large leaves and

brightly colored and unusual flower shape is reminiscent of

tropical plants giving it one of the highest ‘uniqueness’

ratings in this season

Dianthus Jolt Cherry: This flower is in the top ten for its

ability to resist insect and disease damage. This flower has

maintained its structural integrity and color throughout the

entire season while being relatively flexible in its environment.

Portulaca Mojave® Pink: This was one of our basket

winners. The portulaca here has made a very beautiful

basket cascade and seems to be very attractive to

Pollinators. It is in a partial sun to full sun location.

Petunia TriTunia™ Lavender: This variety of petunia is

on the list for its uniformity and consistency in the field.

Nearly every bloom is the same color and size making for

a nice display.

Bidens Campfire™ Fireburst: This is another hanging

basket winner. The Bidens did a remarkable job of

cascading around its basket and its long stemmed flowers

are very bright and colorful. Placed in full sun.

Cosmos Apollo Pink: This flower scored high in the field

as well as in a container. Its large flowers attract many

pollinators, and is only one of three Cosmos we trialed

this year. Placed in full sun, grows from 2-3’ tall.

Lobelia Suntory Sky Blue: This is one of the few shade

varieties that was rated in the top ten of our flower trials.

It forms a nice colorful ground cover for a shade variety,

but also worked well in a basket of partial shade.

Coleus scutellarioides Flame Thrower Chipolte: Coleus

is the last shade plant on the list. This coleus has some

very bright colors for a shade variety as well as consistent

form in the field. Planted in full shade.

NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH

& OUTREACH CENTER