Trial: Perennial
Year Trialed: 2004, 2005
Good Qualities
Year 1
Very attractive foliage, long bloom period (all summer) very good vase life, not attractive to vermin; Tall, good color; Nice flower.Year 2
I like these plants as a group, vigorous nice foliage, interesting and there aren't a lot of these sold as cut flowers around yet.Problems
Year 1
The flowers were nothing to look at and foliage is pretty but not long enough to use for cuts; Deer love it, japanese beetles also; Time consuming to harvest.Year 2
I was surprised by the mortality over the winter - I was actually more afraid that these would escape and become a weed problem.Trial Data
Year 2
| Plants Surviving (%) | Yield (stems/plant)¹ | Stem Length (inches)¹ | Market Appreciation Rating² | Repeat Again Rating² | Ease of Cultivation Rating² | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 41.0 | 51.3 | 26.3 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 4.3 |
| Range of Responses | 0-100 | 15-89 | 19-40 | 1-4 | 1-5 | 3-5 |
| Plants Surviving (%) | Yield (stems/plant)¹ | Stem Length (inches)¹ | Market Appreciation Rating² | Repeat Again Rating² | Ease of Cultivation Rating² | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 41.0 | 51.3 | 26.3 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 4.3 |
| Range of Responses | 0-100 | 15-89 | 19-40 | 1-4 | 1-5 | 3-5 |
¹Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
²1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
Terra Nova P.O. Box 23938 Tigard, OR 97281-3938 800-215-9450 x305 503-263-3150 x305 FAX 503-263-3152sales@terranovanurseries.com
Comments
Year 1
May not winter over since it is a Zone 6 plant; Two trialers noted a vase life of 11 and 31 days, respectively. Editor's note: see separate postharvest article in this issue for more information.