January, 2002
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This completes the third year of the statewide plant evaluation program. The current team of cooperators includes Dr. Jim Robbins, Dr. Jon Lindstrom, and Dr. James Cole.

The three test sites are the Hope Research Center (USDA cold hardiness zone 8a), the Little Rock/Cooperative Extension Service property (zone 7a), and the Fayetteville Horticulture Research farm (zone 6 b). As much as possible the three test sites were prepared in a similar manner. Full sun plants were grown in row-type beds 3’ wide with a 7’ grass alley. Plants groups are planted together (i.e. trees are planted together). Trees are spaced 10’ apart, shrubs 6’ apart, and herbaceous perennials 4’ apart. For shade requiring plants, separate evaluation sites were established under natural shade at all three test sites. The Little Rock site was planted on March 23, 2001; Fayetteville was planted on March 23, 2001; Hope planted on March 22, 2001. Irrigation at all three sites is by a drip system. Plants were fertilized and mulched after planting. Post-emergent herbicides were used at all three test sites. No disease or insect control was implemented during the first year. to maintain a tree-like habit, trees are pruned following final growth measurements. Pruning consists of removing the bottom 1/3 of limbs. Final growth measurements were taken at Little Rock on November 2; Fayetteville on November 13; and Hope on November 13.

Weather data at all three test sites is attached (see attached graph).

Flowerwood Nursery donated 3-gal plants. Performance appears to be good at all three sites. Flowers were first noted on May 7 and continued through May 25 at Little Rock. In Fayetteville, plants did not flower until early August. Despite full sun exposure this cultivar has done well in its first year in Zone 6b. Average plant size is 19" tall by 26" wide.

Flowerwood Nursery donated 1-gal plants. Performance was good at Little Rock and Hope but all plants were killed at Fayetteville. Flowering was not observed in 2001. Average plant size is 16" tall by 33"

J. Frank Schmidt Nursery donated 4’ BR plants. Growth was best at Hope and worst at Fayetteville. A few flowers were observed at Fayetteville and Little Rock in early April. Plants in Fayetteville had attractive deep red fall color.

University of Arkansas propagated plants and planted as a 1 quart. Growth was best at Fayetteville and worst at Hope. The plants did not flower in 2001. Average plant size is 15" tall by 19’ wide.

University of Arkansas propagated plants and planted as a 1 quart. Growth was best at Little Rock and worst at Hope. The plants did not flower in 2001. Average plant size is 20" tall by 19’ wide.

Crataegus hybrid

University of Arkansas propagated plants from a stock plant at Blossomberry Nursery in Clarksville, AR. This plant is from a 1970’s distribution from the U.S. National Arboretum. At this time we have no further information on its parentage. Trees were planted as a 1-gal container plant.

Growth rate was outstanding at all three test sites. Average tree height at all three sites increased 24" during 2001. The tree did not flower in 2001.

J.Frank Schmidt Nursery donated 3’ BR whips. Trees grew fairly well at all three test sites. The greatest increase in growth was noted at Hope and the smallest increase in growth at Little Rock. Average tree height at all 3 test sites increased 9". Fall color was not outstanding. Some large acorns were noted at Fayetteville. In size they resemble the English oak parent.

University of Arkansas propagated plants and planted as a 1 quart. Sadly, all three test plants were stolen from the Little Rock site when this plant was in full flower.

We are very impressed with the length of flowering on this shrub. Plants started flowering in Little Rock on May 7 and continued until the plants were stolen in mid-August. Plants in Fayetteville began flowering in May and continued sporadically until frost in October. Due to the fact the three plants were stolen in Little Rock and some over-ambitious Roundup spraying in Fayetteville, we will be re-evaluating this plant in 2003.

Average plant size at Hope and Fayetteville is 13" tall by 21" wide.

University of Arkansas propagated plants and planted as a 1 quart.
Performance was good at all three sites. The shrub did not flower in 2001. Average plant size was 11" tall by 21" wide.

University of Arkansas propagated plants and planted as a 1 quart.

Growth rate was exceptional at all three sites. This was clearly the fastest growing shrub in the 2001 set of shrubs. The shrub did not flower in 2001. Average plant size was 54" tall by 69" wide.

The Botany Shop, Joplin, MO, donated 1-gal plants. Performance was good at all three sites. Growth rate was nearly equal at all three sites. Average plant size was 28'' tall by 14" wide.

J.Frank Schmidt Nursery donated 7’ BR whips. Growth was good at all three sites. Trees grew almost twice as fast at Fayetteville as they did at Hope and Little Rock.

Foliage at all three sites was less than attractive early in the season. Leaves were dotted with what appeared as a leaf spot. Foliage that developed later in the season displayed less of this leaf distortion. Plants in Fayetteville exhibited no fall color.

J.Frank Schmidt Nursery donated 1-gal plants.

Plants grew fairly well at Hope and Little Rock, however, all three plants died at Fayetteville.

One quart plants were purchased from Colvos Creek N, WA.
Plant performed poorly statewide. Two plants in Fayetteville flowered in May.

This is a deciduous Agapanthus so winter survival will be best judged upon re-growth in spring 2002.

The Ornamentals team would like to express their sincere appreciation to the cooperating nurseries (Flowerwood Nurseries, J.Frank Schmidt Nursery, and The Botany Shop) for donating the plants for this season’s trial and to the Arkansas Green Industry Association for financial support.

Rhododendron Peppermint Twist - R. hyperythrum (Briggs Nursery)

Ilex x koehneana ‘Martha Berry’

Magnolia grandiflora 'Hasse' (Briggs Nursery)

Magnolia 'Vulcan' (Briggs Nursery)

Prunus lusitanica (Forestfarm N.)

Ceanothus x delilianus ‘Gloire de Versailles’ (Hines N)

Acer saccharum Fall Fiesta™; (Bailey)

Cephalotaxus harringtonia v. prostrata

Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

Cliftonia monophylla Chipola Pink™; (Flowerwood)

Loropetalum chinense Petite Delight™; (Hines Nursery)

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