CRIS Project: Horticulture

2008 Outcomes/Impacts

New and improved plants and cultivars are a constant stimulus to the green industry. The vast majority of new ornamental plants are bred, produced, and introduced in climatic regions other than the South. As a result, little to no information exists about plant performance in Tennessee and Mid-South transition zone landscapes. New plant performance information is important to Tennessees commercial growers, landscape contractors, and consumers regarding their growing and purchasing decisions. Positive results of purchasing decisions based upon UTs plant performance information stimulates repeat sales and growth of Tennessees green industry

2008 Research Report

To determine the landscape performance and potential uses of experimental or new landscape annuals on the market and their potential to increase the economic and environmental sustainability of Tennessees green industry, 365 different selections were evaluated between May and September of 2008 at two experiment stations representative of the different climatic regions in Tennessee. Evaluation criteria was from a landscape contractors perspective and is standard to other variety trial evaluation programs around the nation. In addition to evaluation data for all plants, four categories of plant performance were created to promote and market the choice plant performers from the study. They include: Best in Show, Best New 2006 Variety, Best Old Variety, and Top 5 Performers. These data with all plant performance information were published on-line and in hard-copy publications. The study is ongoing.