Public Gardens Display Fleuroselect Winners
Botanical and Display Gardens, Arboreta, Parks and College Campuses
Feb 2, 2009
These 49 public gardens include botanical and display gardens, arboreta, parks and college campuses. Key settings and accessibility to the public are among the main reasons for choosing these locations to display Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winners.
Among them are gardens in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, N. Ireland, Norway, six in the United States, and seven in the United Kingdom.
Gardens in the U. S. A.
- MI State University, East Lansing, MI
- PA State University, University Park, PA
- Rotary Gardens, Janesville, WI,
- University of IL, Urbana Champaign, IL
- University of TN, Trial Grounds, Knoxville, TN and
- Walt Disney World Nursery, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Gardens in the U.K.
- Capel Manor College, Enfield, Middlesex,
- Singleton Botanical Gardens, Swansea, Wales,
- Golden Acre Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire,
- Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens, Harrogate, North Yorkshire,
- National Botanical Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire,
- Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Surrey, and
- The Scottish Agricultural College, Auchincruive, Ayr Campus
What is Fleuroselect?
Fleuroselect is, according to press releases, an international organization for testing, promoting and protecting new varieties of annuals and perennials. Though the organization began in Frankfurt, Germany in May 1970, its headquarters are now in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. It includes one hundred member companies of ornamental plant breeders, producers and distributors.
Testing Plants
Fleuroselect members submit plants for testing at the 33 private trial gardens distributed throughout Europe. The Fleuroselect Board, in union with members and the Entries and Evaluation Committee, appoints trial holders at individual gardens and expert independent judges to evaluate the entries. These gardens cover a wide range of climate conditions and include these countries:
- Denmark,
- France,
- Germany,
- Italy,
- The Netherlands,
- Spain,
- Russia,
- Sweden,
- Switzerland, and
- The United Kingdom.
Fleuroselect Awards
There are two Fleuroselect awards, the Quality Award and the Gold Medal. Varieties showing improvement over current offerings due to breeding and selection receive The Quality Award. Selections for the Fleuroselect Gold Medal show not only improvement in breeding, but also beauty. These selected varieties represent current plant industry trendsetters.
2009 Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winners
- Armeria pseudarmeria 'Ballerina Red' and 'Ballerina White' are perennials that flower the first year from seed. They are about eight inches high and six inches wide, perfect in container plantings or at the edges of mixed beds. Use about 16 plants per square yard for bedding.
Sow seeds at the end of February. Transplant young seedlings to 3.5 inch pots after germination and grow at 64 to 64.5°F. Plant in garden near the end of April in sunny or partly sunny site. These varieties flower until autumn if deadheaded regularly.
- Prunella grandiflora 'Freelander Blue' is a compact, 6-inches-high, and free-flowering perennial groundcover for sunny and partly sunny locations. It also flowers vigorously the first year from seed. 'Freelander Blue' also has the added value of attracting bees and butterflies from May to October. Plant 6 inches on center for a thick groundcover.
Sow seeds in February to March for spring flowering, or the first half of May for autumn flowers. Seeds germinate in seven to 14 days at about 65°F. Transplant after six weeks into 3.5-inch pots and continue growing at 54-59°F.
Sources
Armeria 'Ballerina Red' and 'Ballerina White' seeds and Prunella 'Freelander' mix seeds are available from Mr. Fothergill's Seeds Ltd, Kentford, Suffolk, CB8 7QB England and other countries where this seed brand sells.
Prunella 'Freelander Blue' and Prunella 'Freelander' mix seeds and Prunella 'Freelander Blue' plants are also available from Park Seed, Greenwood, SC 29647.
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