2020 CSU flower trials top performers Email
Written by Colorado Green NOW   
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 01:30 AM

The following five perennials received the 2020 “Top Performer” award at the CSU Trial Gardens. Out of the 67 taxa planted in 2018, these five plants were the superior performers during three growing seasons and two winters in the Fort Collins trials.

A complete report on all the perennials in the trial can be found at flowertrials.colostate.edu under the Perennial trials menu. Want to see these plants up close? Visit the gardens at 1400 Remington Street in Fort Collins, directly in front of the University Center for the Arts.

Allium Summer BeautyAllium ‘Summer Beauty’ (Allium lusitanicaum) from Stonehouse Nursery
The soft lavender blue flowers were quite prolific with strong flowering later in the summer. Tall flowers were held above the attractive glossy green flat leaf blades. Growth habit was very uniform.


 

Penstemon ‘DAKOTA™ Burgundy’Penstemon ‘DAKOTA™ Burgundy’ (Penstemon digitalis) from Terra Nova® Nurseries
The dark foliage had multiple shades of burgundy—key for the superior rating of this plant—that added interest throughout the season. The white/lavender flowers really stand out above the foliage. Blooms were prolific with a long flowering period. Plants had 100% survival over the three seasons.

 

 


 

Echinacea ‘Sombrero® Tres Amigos’

Echinacea ‘Sombrero® Tres Amigos’ (Echinacea x hybrida) from Darwin Perennials
Flowers created a unique “evolution of color” that resulted in about three different shades of burgundy. The blooms were vibrant with rich saturated color. Plants had a good growth habit with strong branching and no disease.

 


Phlox ‘Ka-Pow®’ seriesPhlox ‘Ka-Pow’™ series (Phlox paniculata) from Darwin Perennials
This entire series of Phlox was very impressive with similar heights, uniform growth habit and resistance to powdery mildew. Flowers bloomed over a long period of time with no fading. The series had a range of colors from soft lavender to a vibrant pink.

 

 

 


Salvia ‘Blue by You’Salvia ‘Blue by You’ (Salvia nemorosa) by Darwin Perennials
The vibrant blue flowers were very showy and prolific with blooms early in the season, followed by an impressive repeat bloom later in the season after a hard cut back of old blooms. The plant had a good growth habit with strong branching and no disease.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
COVID vaccines: implications in the workplace
Days on the Hill to be virtual for 2021

Spring is a good time to review your safety plan

Educating consumers on tree choices is important and ongoing