Perennials Trial Report

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
2019–2020

JC Raulston Arboretum at
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Mark Weathington
Director

Bernadette Clark
Agricultural Research Technician

Department of Horticultural Science
JC Raulston Arboretum

Table of Contents

General Introductory Notes and Acknowledgements
Understanding Our Data
Climate Graphs
Plant Material Sources
Results

General Introductory Notes and Acknowledgements

The Perennials Trial are located adjacent to the Color Trials at NC State University within the JC Raulston Arboretum (JCRA) in Raleigh. The JCRA is a ten and a half acre site administered by the Department of Horticultural Science and located on 35° 47'N latitude, longitude 78° 42' W, with an elevation of 400'.

Plants to be entered into our trials are received in one of three ways—seeds, rooted cuttings/plugs or finished plants/pot. Virtually all are grown within controlled greenhouse environments prior to placement in protected outdoor structures for hardening off. Plant spacing in the trials is based on the estimated mature size of entrant that fits to a 4' × 4' area or by the number of plants sent. Each entry is evaluated for two complete calendar years, being removed after the spring flush in year three. After the plants are established, they are evaluated for hardiness and landscape performance with ratings regularly taken.

Acknowledgements

We thank the vegetative and seed companies that participate in our trials. The services we provide would not be possible without the cooperation and support of these companies. We appreciate this confidence and trust and we look forward to continuing our partnership.

Lastly, we are thankful to other departmental staff and the volunteers of the JC Raulston Arboretum who assisted in transplanting and maintaining the plants … we couldn't have done it without you all!

Participants

2018

Dümmen Orange
Syngenta Flowers
Terra Nova Nurseries

2019

Must Have Perennials
Terra Nova Nurseries

We also thank the following companies for their support of material donations:

• BASF, 26 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
• Sun Gro Horticulture, 4731 Homestead Place, Matthews, NC 28104

Understanding Our Data

Cultural Data

Trials are conducted in amended beds. Prior to planting, beds are fertilized with 10-10-10 granular fertilizer and tilled. All plant material is mulched with composted leaf mulch to a 2"–3" depth after planting. Pre-emergent herbicides are used at the initial planting and repeated each subsequent spring/summer season. Hand weeding is done at all other times. Later in the season, a post-emergent herbicide application along the edge of the beds was done on an as needed basis. An in-ground irrigation system delivers 1"–1.5" of water to the beds each week. Plant height and width measurements (recorded in inches) are taken during the growing season. Data was collected from a representative plant, not the largest or the smallest but an average plant. Dormant plants were cut back in the fall/early winter to clean up the area and reduce overwintering habitat for insects and diseases.

Evaluations

The purpose of our perennials trial is to evaluate the plant material under conditions unique to our location. Our summer growing conditions are typically hot temperatures with high humidity. There is little nighttime temperature relief/recovery; average summer nighttime temperatures can be in the 70s. During our winters we can experience wide and rapid fluctuations in temperatures. Irrigation is required all season.

What do we look for?

• General Plant Growth – healthy appearance, attractive foliage, uniform growth
• Flowers – floriferousness, bloom duration, uniform color, does it hold up after a heavy rain
• Pests and diseases – any visible evidence of damage: distorted or chewed foliage
• Heat tolerance – do the flowers and plants hold up in the heat, does the flower color fade or stripe
• Hardiness (survival) – determined (in the spring) by the number of plants that made it through or emerged after the winter

Installation Date

Most entries were planted into their permanent trial location on:

• 2018 entries on May 24, 2018 (additional Syngenta Flowers planted October 30, 2018)
• 2019 entries on April 23, 2019

Entries that Did Not Survive

Died 2018

Agastache (Morello)
Campanula (Beyond Blue Improved)
Coreopsis (Little Bang Starlight)
Coreopsis (Little Bang Starstruck)
Delphinium (Delphinia Dark Blue Black Bee)
Delphinium (Delphinia Dark Blue White Bee)
Delphinium (Delphina Light Blue White Bee)
Delphinium (Delphina Rose White Bee)
Dianthus (Odessa Amy)
Dianthus (Odessa Cerise Bling Bling)
Dianthus (Odessa Joelle)
Dianthus (Odessa Yellow Bling Bling)
Dianthus (Sunflor Kaylee)
Dianthus (Sunflor Megan)
Dianthus (Sunflor Mimi)
Dianthus (Sunflor Pink Faganza)
Gaillardia (Barbican Yellow Red Ring)
Gaillardia (Spintop Orange Halo)
Gaillardia (Spintop Red)
Gaillardia (Spintop Red Starburst)
Gaillardia (Spintop Yellow Touch)
Lavandula stoechas (Castilliano 2.0 Lilac)
Leucanthemum (Sweet Daisy Christine)
Leucanthemum (Sweet Daisy Sofie)
Lewisia 'Tnlewcc' (Constant Coral)
Mondarda (Pochahontas Purple Rose)
Platycodon (Twinkle Blue)
Salvia (Caramia)
Salvia (Spring King)
Tanacetum (Radiant Light Pink)

Died 2019

Aquilegia caerulea (Kirigami Rose and Pink)
Aquilegia caerulea (Kirigami Red and White)
Aquilegia caerulea (Kirigam iLight Blue and White)
Aquilegia caerulea (Kirigami Deep Blue and White)
Aquilegia caerulea (Kirigami Yellow)
Coreopsis (Satin and Lace Red Tapestry)
Iberis (Snowdrift)
Saxifraga ×arendsii (Alpino Early Magic Salmon)
Saxifraga ×arendsii (Alpino Early Rose)

The best way to really evaluate our trials is to come in person. The JCRA is open 365 days a year.

Average Monthly Precipitation and Temperature

The growing conditions during summer 2019 were warm, nothing record breaking, yet persistent heat. The rain was significant at times, but not record breaking. The precipitation fluctuated from too much to too little; April was very wet, then very dry in May, close to normal in June and July, then much wetter than normal in August, and a virtual dustbowl in September. The greatest amount of rainfall, 1.83", occurred on July 23.

There were no 100° days. We did have heat—it was uncomfortable, especially when you factor in the humidity. We had 64, 90°F+ days with the warmest being 98°F occurring twice, July 3 and July 20. Our longest stretch of 90°+ days was 11 days, this occurred from June 23 through July 3 and then again from July 12–22. 

Our "meteorological winter" (December–February) had above normal temperatures. The first freezing event occurred on November 9 with a low temperature of 28°F.   Our coldest temperature, 23°F, occurred on three dates: November 13, January 22, and February 22. The longest stretch of freezing temperatures occurred early in 2020, from January 17 through January 23. 

Our greatest one-day rainfall was 4.10" on February 8.  February 2020 was the third wettest February we have experienced since weather data collection began in 1895!  Our only snow (3") occurred on February 20.

Seed and Plant Material Sources

Dümmen Orange, 15245 W. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060
Must Have Perennials, 115 Third Street SE, Barberton, OH 44203
Syngenta Flowers, 6899 Winchester Circle, Suite 102, Boulder, CO 80301
Terra Nova Nurseries, 10051 S. Macksburg Road, Canby, OR 97013

Please get in touch with these companies if you have specific questions regarding individual species and cultivars.

Trial Results

Perennials Planted in 2018

Aquilegia caerulea
Kirigami Deep Blue & White Rocky Mountain columbine

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

9"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died winter 2020.

Aquilegia caerulea
Kirigami Light Blue & White bicolor columbine

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

6"

Spread

8"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died winter 2020.

Aquilegia caerulea
Kirigami Red & White bicolor columbine

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

11"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died winter 2020.

Aquilegia caerulea
Kirigami Rose & Pink Rocky Mountain columbine

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

7"

Spread

10"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died winter 2020.

Aquilegia caerulea
Kirigami Yellow Rocky Mountain columbine

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

9"

Spread

12"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died winter 2020.

Coreopsis grandiflora
Moonswirl showy tickseed

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

145"

Spread

29"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Low maintenance; uniform mounds of dark green foliage; attractive golden-yellow flowers; flowered from May through September.

Coreopsis rosea
Satin & Lace Berry Chiffon pink tickseed

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

22"

Spread

295"

Number Planted

9

Survival

55.6%

Comments
Dark green, delicate looking threadleaf foliage; white flowers with bright raspberry-red center; flowered from July through September; low maintenance;.

Coreopsis rosea
Satin & Lace Red Chiffon pink tickseed

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

25"

Spread

37"

Number Planted

9

Survival

22.2%

Comments
Upright clump of dark green, threadleaf foliage; appealing wispy foliage adds delicate texture; pale yellow flowers with bright red center; flowered from June through September; low maintenance; attracts bees and other pollinators.

Coreopsis rosea
Satin & Lace Red Tapestry pink tickseed

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

195"

Spread

21"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died winter 2020.

Coreopsis
Big Bang Sun Splash tickseed

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

245"

Spread

48"

Number Planted

9

Survival

66.7%

Comments
Compact plants with dark green foliage; bicolor flowers have yellow petals with red eye around a yellow center; attracts bees and other pollinators; flowered from May through September.

Coreopsis
Little Bang Orange Elf tickseed

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

15"

Spread

16"

Number Planted

9

Survival

77.8%

Comments
Compact mounding habit; low maintenance; easy to grow; bicolored flowers are bright orange with a yellow center; flowered from June through October.

Coreopsis
Little Bang Red Enchanted Evening tickseed

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

235"

Spread

43"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Compact mounding habit; medium green foliage; bicolored flowers are a buttery-yellow with a red center; flowered from June through October.

Dianthus
Odessa Nicky carnation

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

9"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Compact, uniform mounds of green foliage; pink colored double flowers; flowered from May through September.

Dianthus
Sunflor Sasha pink

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

6"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

77.8%

Comments
Very uniform mounds of silver-green narrow-leaf foliage; plants covered in flowers; flowered from May through October.

Dianthus
Sunflor YFKE pink

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

6"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Uniform mounds of silver-green foliage; prolific flowering that covers the plant; pink flower color; flowered in May and June then sporadically until fall (September/October).

Echinacea purpurea
Prairie Splendor Compact White coneflower

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

15"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Low maintenance; Compact plants with dark green foliage; reflexed white flowers; flowered from May through July; attracts bees and other pollinators.

Echinacea 'Tnechkrd'
Kismet Red coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2018

Height

185"

Spread

18"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Compact plant habit; large flowers are a reddish-orange color; good for cutting; attracts bees and other pollinators; low maintenance; flowered from May through August.

Heuchera 'Tnheufr'
Forever Red coral bells

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2018

Height

12"

Spread

23"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Gorgeous red foliage color that is appealing all season long but especially vibrant during the cooler months; ruffled leaves; uniform mounds; vigorous grower that performs well in full sun; takes our heat and humidity.

Heuchera 'Tnheuga'
Grande Amethyst coral bells

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2018

Height

16"

Spread

26"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Uniform mounds of purple colored wavy leaves; vigorous grower that looks great in full sun; thrives in our heat and humidity; low maintenance.

Heuchera 'Tnheugb'
Grande Black coral bells

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2018

Height

14"

Spread

20"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Very uniform mounds of deep purple to black colored wavy leaves; vigorous grower that looks great in full sun; performs well in our heat and humidity.

Iberis sempervirens 'Snowcone Forte'
candytuft

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

4"

Spread

9"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Small clean-white flower clusters cover the plant; deep green foliage on ground hugging mounds; flowered April and May then sporadically until August.

Iberis sempervirens 'Snowdrift'
candytuft

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

5"

Spread

65"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died winter 2020.

Lavandula angustifolia
Aromatico Blue Improved English lavender

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

16"

Spread

24"

Number Planted

9

Survival

55.6%

Comments
Upright habit; silver-gray foliage (new growth is green); deep purple flowers on sturdy stems; flowered from May into October.

Leucanthemum maximum
Birdy Shasta daisy

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

26"

Spread

27"

Number Planted

9

Survival

77.8%

Comments
Forms uniform clumps of deep green leaves; bright-white flowers with yellow center on sturdy stems make great cut flowers; prolific flowering; flowered from May through July; attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Leucanthemum maximum
Western Star Taurus Shasta daisy

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

14"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Forms compact, uniform clumps of deep green leaves; clear white flowers with yellow center on sturdy stems make great cut flowers; prolific flowering; flowered from May through June then again in fall, October and November; stunning as a mass planting when flowering; attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Penstemon 'Tnpendb'
Dakota Burgundy beardtongue

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2018

Height

34"

Spread

36"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Gorgeous glossy foliage color- burgundy with green at the base; uniform plant growth; covered in flowers; easy to grow and maintain.

Penstemon 'Tnpendv'
Dakota Verde beardtongue

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2018

Height

33"

Spread

34"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Glossy, green leaves; uniform, full plants; tidy plants that are easy to maintain; covered in flowers.

Phlox paniculata
Early Purple Pink Eye garden phlox

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

16"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

66.7%

Comments
Compact plants; clusters of purple colored flowers with dark pink eyes; flowered from May through August.

Phlox paniculata 'Dophlearpica'
Early Pink Candy garden phlox

Company

Dümmen Orange

Year Planted

2018

Height

115"

Spread

12"

Number Planted

9

Survival

66.7%

Comments
Compact plants; novelty colored clusters of pink flowers with white edge and dark eye; flowered from June through October.

Salvia ×superba
Bordeau Compact Sky Blue salvia

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Height

14"

Spread

29"

Number Planted

9

Survival

55.6%

Comments
Great flower power!; compact; good branching; spikes of blue flowers; flowered from May into October.

Saxifraga ×arendsii
Alpino Early Rose rockfoil

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died June 2019.

Saxifraga
Alpino Early Magic Salmon rockfoil

Company

Syngenta Flowers

Year Planted

2018

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Died July 2019.

Perennials Planted in 2019

Agastache 'Tnagakr'
Kudos Red dwarf hummingbird mint

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

14"

Spread

19"

Number Planted

9

Survival

88.9%

Comments
Low maintenance; compact plants that are covered with upright red plumes nonstop from May until October; attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Dendranthema
Autumn Spice Igloo garden mum

Company

Must Have Perennials

Year Planted

2019

Height

9"

Spread

18"

Number Planted

6

Survival

100%

Comments
Uniform, rounded mounds that require no pinching; Burnt-orange daisy-like flowers completely cover the green foliage; stunning when in bloom- mass plantings are a showstopper; flowered from May through October; low maintenance.

Dendranthema
Brilliant Igloo garden mum

Company

Must Have Perennials

Year Planted

2019

Height

12"

Spread

22"

Number Planted

6

Survival

100%

Comments
Uniform, rounded mounds that require no pinching; Bright yellow daisy-like flowers completely cover the green foliage; stunning when in bloom- mass plantings are a showstopper!; flowered from May through June then again in fall- September and October; low maintenance.

Echinacea 'TNECHCMY'
Cara Mia Yellow coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

195"

Spread

17"

Number Planted

8

Survival

87.5%

Comments
Uniform; compact plant habit; double flowers are a bright yellow color; flowered from May through September; attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Echinacea 'TNECHKW'
Kismet White coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

14"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

8

Survival

75%

Comments
Compact and upright habit; white flowers with a golden-yellow eye; sturdy stems make for excellent cut flowers; flowered from June through September; attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Geum 'TNGEUPP'
Pretticoats Peach garden avens

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

8"

Spread

18"

Number Planted

7

Survival

100%

Comments
Compact habit; attractive, large-leafed green foliage; semi-double, ruffled peach colored flowers; scant flowering this first year.

Geum 'Tngeuty'
Tempo Yellow garden avens

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

95"

Spread

195"

Number Planted

7

Survival

85.7%

Comments
Compact mounding habit; attractive, large-leafed green foliage; semi-double, ruffled yellow flowers; very few flowers this season.

Heuchera 'TNHEULS'
Lemon Supreme coral bells

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

45"

Spread

8"

Number Planted

7

Survival

100%

Comments
Compact mounding habit; attractive, yellow foliage that held up well in the shade.

Lychnis flos-cuculi 'Petit Henri'
ragged robin

Company

Must Have Perennials

Year Planted

2019

Height

20"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

6

Survival

83.3%

Comments
Uniform; compact green mounded plants; small, fluffy, white, fringed-flowers are held well above the foliage; flowered from May through September.

Sedum 'Tnseddm'
Double Martini stonecrop

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

12"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

12

Survival

83.3%

Comments
Compact, upright habit; green foliage with red tinged stems; flowered from August to October; plagued with discolored foliage.

Veronica 'Tnvervb'
Venture Blue speedwell

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2019

Height

175"

Spread

11"

Number Planted

12

Survival

83.3%

Comments
Compact habit; tight, ground-hugging mounds with attractive, narrow-spiked, long-tapered blue flowers; flowered from May through September; easy to grow and low maintenance; great garden performance!