August 2023 Smith Garden Trials
Thank you to Smith Gardens for hosting trials. Who can pass up a chance to see new varieties performing in real NW conditions, not to mention the joy of catching up with customers and cohorts. We’ll be posting our notes over the next couple of weeks.
Proven Winners
NEW DOUBLE CALI’s REDSTONE & VINTAGE CORAL: great performers, but limited supply this year. Order early!
The good news: Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Double Redstone’ & ‘Vintage Coral’ really performed here (both varieties also rec’d a 4.75 rating in the Penn State Trials). Both varieties amply filled in the concrete raised bed– and their blooms held up with not much fading. You’ll see a few deadheads here and there, but both plants are vigorous enough they’re not noticeable.
The not-so-good news: Four Star just announced that supplies will be limited this year.
Order early!
Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Double Redstone’
No, you don’t need your reading glasses. Unfortunately, my camera focused on the label instead of the plants.
Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Double Vintage Coral’
Muted coral is a tricky color to capture in bright sunlight, but this is a nuanced beauty combined with a garden workhorse. Vintage Coral’s unique color will be a creative addition for combination plantings.
Petunia Supertunia ‘Hoopla Vivid Orchid’
Yes, we’ve all heard the hoopla about this new variety. But it holds up. A vigorous plant with a perfect-picotee border.
It looks great in the landscape. A 4.81 average rating (out of 5) at Penn State Trials.
Ipomoea, Sweet Potato Sweet Caroline Upside ‘Key Lime’ & ‘Black Coffee’
No, this shot isn’t from the trials. Doug Parkinson from Four Star Greenhouses shared this last year of the ‘Upsides’ in his backyard garden. He had to train them a bit, but they climbed! Bonus points if you can spot his dog in this photo.
Flash forward to Smith Gardens (below) last week. The Ipomoeas are super vigorous but not really climbing. They look like they want to…maybe more time? More training?
Now, before you throw out this whole-climbing-sweet-potato-vine-beanstalk thing, check out the next photo from Penn State.
