Show Me Smart Gardening! Educated Use of Flower Trials Using Plant Resources

Ornamental plant introductions, particularly annuals have been increasing at a steady pace over the last 20 years. Although marketing and breeding has changed the names and altered the faces and form and in some cases even the recommended use, they still are the tools of our trade.

We are all affected by the popular trend as well as the environment, seasonal shifts and who knows what’s normal fluctuation. We are at times the ones who receive pats on the back or are left standing with either a wilted calling card or sometimes even worse a blank and faceless plot connecting our name or business to a pitiful situation. Good or bad- this is the green path we as an industry professional may have chosen to follow. It is my hope to find green ways to reach sustainable success (People, Prosperity and the Planet)....

Most plant categories have had their time in the spotlight. Whether its been trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ground covers tropicals or annuals, each community of plants has had their glory days and line pass to the front line of industry and public for center stage exposure.

Testing, trials, programs, marketing, branding, trade marking and glorification take place at an amazing rate for these plants. Many are brought to market and continue to be great ambassadors for growing “green” and others slip into the shadows.

How to sort through all the banners and tag lines- for me is all about “Show Me” –regional, practical examples through out the season so we can all grow “Smart” hence my “Show Me Smart Gardening “ motto.

Having worked personally on trial criteria, judge standards and season long data collection, I know the importance of follow through for market-led selections of new plants. These recognition program selections can be both pricy and profitable. However understanding the marketing of plants requires a regional approach because marketing only has merit if the product can be repeatable and reasonably reliable- annually!

This is a listing of some of the annual flower marketing programs. My advice- become knowledgably about the company, their product, their mission, their testing methods and grade scales, their plant trial set-up location, the judges and the criteria! (watch Cuphea-they are coming and you might be 'Totally Tempted' to try them all! )

All America Selections allamericaselections.org
Proven Winner provenwinners.com
Plants that Work Novalis.com
Simply Beautiful simplybeautifulgardens.com
Athens Select athensselect.com
Prairie Star Flowers prairiestarflowers.com
MBG Kemper Trials Plants of Merit plantsofmerit.org

A Few of My Favorite web sites, gardens and plant trial locations:
MaryAnnFink.com
St. Louis Community College / Meramec
Missouri Botanical Garden Trials
Powell Gardens
Mizzou Botanic Garden
Hartley Selections Garden

Betula nigra river birch selection still being recognized

River birch's 'Heritage' cultivar was selected by the Society of Municipal Arborists as 2002 Tree of the Year. Since then it has been featured, promoted and recommended throught Missouri and Illinois as an outstanding choice for cultivated green spaces.
'Heritage' birch is a selection of one of Missouri's most popular and common native trees Betula nigra . 'Heritage' was found and propagated by Earl Cully from a tree growing naturally in Illinois that displayed outstanding bark color and classic form. It has wonderful ornamental value appropriate for commercial and residential use in the lower Midwest. Resistant to birch borer, it tolerates turf competition, lawn irrigation, and poor drainage.
It is a large hardy, fast-growing, nicely forked tree, so allow adequate room to enjoy its beautiful spreading natural habit. Because the birch wood is somewhat naturally pliable, it tends to be wind and ice resistant except in the most extreme conditions.

River birch is very attractive and worthy of specimen placement and uplighting opportunities. The many layers of bark peels in colorful flakes of cinnamon brown, salmon, peach, orange, and lavender and is a bonus in regions where paper and white birches are plagued by borers. It is especially notable during the dull gray days of winter!

For more tidbit information about Earl Cully's 'Heritage' Birch and its history click here