More than new flowers at this year's trial gardens

There are some exciting new plants in the trials for the 2011 season. They include, second generation black petunias, double-flowered osteospermum, large flowered New Guinea impatiens, angelonia and bidens and more perennials from Blooms of Bressingham, Jelitto, Ball and Vanhof and Blokker. Of course, there is the continued growing trial of Echinacea and Heuchera - both vegetatively and seed propagated - and display beds by Goldsmith Seeds and Proven Winners.

A vegetable bed, grown and maintained by LO staff members in their off-hours, is also a new and interesting addition this year.

Research into finding environmentally friendly methods to fight weeds and grass is also part of this year's trial gardens. Clear plastic versus black plastic in a solarization trial is on display next to the trial garden plots. Which do you think will do a better job of killing weeds and grass? The exercise is part of the University of Guelph research program.

Open house for the public on August 13
The public are invited to the Landscape Ontario gardens, located at 7856 Fifth Line South on Sat., Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Highlights include:

• Over 300 types of bedding plants
• A sneak peak at new flowers for 2012
• Free admission
• Plenty of parking on site
• "Ask the Expert" booth
• Vote for your favourite plant

View a flyer for this event.

Please RSVP Kathleen Pugliese at 1-800-265-5656 ext. 309 or kpugliese@landscapeontario.com

A main trial garden site is located at the University of Guelph. The date for their public open house is Wed., Aug. 17 from noon until 8 p.m. Visit www.uoguelph.ca/plant/trialgarden for more details.