This Week In The Trial Garden June 1, 2012

 The 2012 Test Garden is well under way. Planting began and completed the the first week in May. This year we focused on new items and asked the breeders to submit only items to be released  in 2012 or beyond. This year we have 806 items in the garden from 24 different companies. Every item was grown in a 1 quart pot and transplanted into our new raised beds or planted in a 2.88 gallon pot. Planting in beds and pots will allow us to see how these new items work for the “Diggers” and “Decorators”. To give every item the best possible test we have each item repeated three times throughout the garden (2418 items in raised beds and 2418 pots).

 

Test Garden Website

The website is still under construction but is nearing completion. If you want to take a first look at it go to http://www.metrolinagreenhouses.com/testgarden.aspx

This site will be the premier place on the web to see  the performance of new garden items!

Plant of the Week

The Plant of The Week is Hibiscus “Mahogany Splendor” from Pan American Seed. We have had this in the garden the last two years but I believe this is its official release year. This is a mainly a foliage plant, though it does have some flowers (they are the same color as the foliage though). This plant has incredible garden performance and is very dramatic (getting over 3 feet tall). This is an item we need to look at closer for 2014.

Up Coming Southern Garden Dates:

June 19- Van Wingerden International Test Garden Open House

June 20- University of Georgia Garden Open House

June 21- Metrolina Test Garden Open House

June 22-Syngenta- Garden Open House (Anderson, SC)

June 23- NC State Garden Open House and Grower Day