Prep Rally

Designed by students from Horticultural program at University of Cincinnati

We prepped and planted the bed in June for the Field Day in August. As part of their classwork the students from the UC Horticulture program learned how to measure and layout a bed. We tilled amendments into the soil and then they designed a bed.

About eight students came to Diefenbacher this year and we explained that we like to use this particular bed for Field Day. Guests would be attending who would want to look around the bed—to see it and be close to it. We would need to be able to touch all the plants easily.

 
The Cincinnati Zoo loves the Dianthus ‘Jolt™ Pink’ we supplied them

If you are planning to provide some partners with those pansies, consider Dianthus ‘Jolt™ Pink’. They are smaller than the Amazons, but maintain that basic carnation look-and-feel to the plant. They handle cold almost as well as Pansies, so we like to set them out about the same time.

 
Brilliant pink flowers

We like the Jolts primarily for their brilliant pink – something Pansies cannot do. They also have the heavy coverage over the top, very similar to what the Violas like to do. As a bonus, the Jolts also have the best heat tolerance of any Dianthus we know, so they provide an extra long season of Spring color. Something more? They are fragrant, too.

The Cincinnati Zoo trialed some samples last year and they thought “oh, great, another Dianthus”, so they stuck it in a low traffic area. It pleased them early and they thought, “It is early. Dianthus are supposed to look great right now.” It pleased them into early summer. By late summer, they brought every tour group past this plant to show them. So now they are planning on using it in more prominent places next season.

 
 Variegated Ginger mixed with Magnum New Guineas

We are fond of unusual combinations, especially if they produce unexpected results. One such combination is Variegated Ginger mixed with Magnum New Guineas. This is New Guinea Magnum Hot Pink, but it would work equally well with their other colors as well. The two deliver a “circles and stripes” look between the showy leaves and bright flowers, but even the long and thin New Guinea leaves support the Ginger stripes.