Dakota Co. Master Gardener Annual Trials

detailed spreadsheet of research results (pdf)

PETUNIA LIMBO VIOLET
Color: Rich Purple
Maintenance Level: Light; routine deadheading
Final Bloom: Plants were still blooming when garden was put to bed for the winter
Would I purchase this plant again? Definitely
Observations: This lovely plant retained good color all season long. It looked great massed together. It did well in all types of weather conditions. Remember to wear gloves when deadheading as the spent blooms are sticky and will leave a purple residue on your hands.

COSMOS SEASHELL MIX
Color: Light Purple/Pink with a yellow eye. Interesting form.
Maintenance Level: Light; routine deadheading and staking
Final Bloom: All test plants died early September (blooms sparse all season)
Would I purchase this plant again? Possibly
Observations: Plants were severly windblown shortly after planting which made measuring the data difficult. Plants also started to root where the windblown stalk came into contact with the ground. This gave the plant an unusual appearance and affected the normal growth pattern for the rest of the growing season. Blooms, while pretty, were sparse. These plants should be transplanted before the grow very tall and they need protection from the wind.

COSMOS SONATA WHITE
Color: White with a yellow eye.
Maintenance Level: Light; routine deadheading and staking
Final Bloom: Between 9/1 and 9/18
Would I purchase this plant again? Possibly
Observations: Had same issues as seashell mix (above).

COSMOS DAYDREAM
Color: Pink with mauve towards center and a yellow eye.
Maintenance Level: Light; routine deadheading and staking
Final Bloom: Around 9/1
Would I purchase this plant again? Possibly
Observations: Many of the plants in the test garden did not survive the transplant. This variety had the same issues as seashell mix (above).

COSMOS GAZEBO RED
Color: Mauve
Maintenance Level: Light; routine deadheading and staking
Final Bloom: 8/12
Would I purchase this plant again? Possibly
Observations: This variety had the same issues as seashell mix (above).

COSMOS COSMIC YELLOW
Color: Rich, vibrant yellow
Maintenance Level: Medium; needed quite a bit of deadheading. Also, would benefit from routine watering.
Final Bloom: Around 8/12.
Would I purchase this plant again? Yes
Observations: These plants were very nice during the beginning of the season. The plants were compact, reminding me of marigolds. Due to numerous blooms, deadheading was quite the chore. By 7/23 a few of the plants were showing signs of stress, I believe due to inadequate moisture.

COSMOS LADYBIRD MIX
Color: Burnt orange
Maintenance Level: Medium, needed quite a bit of deadheading. Also, would benefit from routine watering.
Final Bloom: Around 9/1
Would I purchase this plant again? Yes
Observations: Cosmos Ladybird mix has the same look as the Cosmic series. I loved the Burnt orange color and the tidy growing habit. Deadheading was a headache. By 7/23 some of the plants started to fail.

COSMOS COSMIC ORANGE
Color: Vivid orange
Maintenance Level: Medium, needed quite a bit of deadheading. Also, would benefit from routine watering.
Final Bloom: Around 9/18
Would I purchase this plant again? Yes
Observations: A nice plant to go along with Cosmic Yellow and Ladybird.