CSU announces top picks for annual flowers

By Colorado State University

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Colorado weather can make for difficult growing conditions, especially for flower lovers. From searing heat to severe weather to lack of moisture, it can be a challenge to produce abundant flowers.

In an effort to aid both homeowners and commercial growing operations, Colorado State University has released the results of its Best of 2010 annual flower trials.

More than 1,100 different varieties of annuals were given trial plantings either in ground beds or in about 600 containers at the Flower Trial Gardens, 1401 Remington St. in Fort Collins. The garden, west of the University Center for the Arts, is managed by CSU's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in cooperation with a committee of local growers, bedding plant personnel and public garden horticulturalists.

"The Annual Flower Trial Garden gives us the perfect opportunity to evaluate annual flowers to see how well they perform in Colorado's high light intensity and low humidity," said Jim Klett, professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at CSU.

Klett manages CSU's Flower Trial Gardens, the largest flower test garden in the state and one of the five largest in the United States.

Twenty-six seed and vegetative companies from within the United States and worldwide participated in the trials. Judging was held on Aug. 9, 2010, and again on Sept. 8, 2010, to determine the 2010 winners.

The best new variety is Graceful Grasses Vertigo from Proven Winners. This plant has impressive vigor. Its large size and dark purplish glossy foliage make it a unique focal point in the garden.

Best novelty for 2010 is Yellow Compact from Grolink Plant Company. This bulbine makes a unique impression due to its delicate yellow flowers on the tips of uprights stems. The foliage has a fine grass-like texture.

Thirty-one varieties of bedding plants earned a "best" in their categories, while one additional plant earned a "superior" rating. Some of the winners follow.

Best coleus is Trusty Rusty from Ball Horticultural Company. The foliage is impressive with its striking, contrasting colors. Plants display great vigor and are extremely uniform.

Best dahlia is Dark Angel Dracula from GroLink Plant Company. Bold, rosy, wine-colored flowers combined with dark foliage create a very unique visual appearance. Moonsong Deep Orange from Goldsmith Seeds is the best marigold. The dark orange flower color is clearly the deepest orange of any marigold in the trial. Plants also have a uniform growth habit.

The best verbena for 2010 is Magelana Hot Rose from Syngenta Flowers. Large rose flowers are layered throughout the plant, which has good mildew resistance.

Best vinca is Boa Peppermint from Floranova. Plants are very floriferous with attractive white flowers with a pinkish red eye. This plant has good foliage and a cascading habit.

Best zinnia is Zowie! Yellow Flame from Syngenta Flowers-Goldsmith Seeds. Few flowers have such an intense combination of colors as this variety. Yellow-orange petals have a cherry red color on the inner eye. It is also more resistant to disease than other zinnias.

These 10 plants are just a sample of the plants that earned distinction. A complete listing, description and photos can be viewed at www.flowertrials.colostate.edu.

Most of the winning plants are available at local nurseries or garden centers for this growing season.