2015 Summer Top Performers
About Our Trials
Every summer, the Costa Farms Research and Development team trials about 500 varieties of annuals, perennials, and tropical plants from some of the most innovative plant breeders around the world. We test them in our 2-acre Ultimate Plant Showdown Garden in hot and sunny Miami, Florida. Our team assesses the plants using a variety of factors, including abundance of bloom, uniformity, clean foliage, little to no pest damage, plant habit, and overall appearance.
Evaluation Period
This summer, 68 varieties stood up to Miami’s summer weather conditions and scored as top performers. Our evaluation period stretched from early July to the beginning of September. Everything was planted in the Ultimate Plant Showdown Garden the week of June 8th, 2015. The plants were grown from seeds or cuttings to a 6-inch grower pot prior to planting.
Fertilization
To ensure plants started strong, they were fertilized with a slow-release, 180-day product at planting time.
Pest Control
We try to limit pesticide use as much as we can in the Ultimate Plant Showdown Garden, but we do treat insect pests and diseases on an as-needed basis. We use both biological and chemical controls as necessary.
Environment
The graphs (at right) detail temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall levels during our evaluation period.
About this Report
We’ve divided this report’s top-performing plants into categories based on housing trends. A 2015 Better Homes and Gardens study surveyed 1,600 women around the United States about their preferences. Four big trends for women—especially older Millennials—include: • The importance of outdoor living space • The importance of personalized spaces • The importance of low-maintenance plantings • The importance of being environmentally friendly
A 2015 study from the Urban Land Institute reveals 73% of Millennials are likely to move within five years; 72% expect to become homeowners.
Planting with Outdoor Dipladenia Sundenia White (by Suntory) is
an easy-growing vine that produces lots of flowers and is the perfect solution if you want to plant a living privacy screen. The white flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies—and appear nonstop all summer. It grows well in both garden beds and borders, as well as large container gardens. Use it to add color to tepees, trellises, and other structures.
Kwik Kombo Bandana Lemon Meringue and Lemon Squeeze (by Syngenta) offer an ideal
opportunity for colorful containers, hanging baskets, or landscape plantings. The two lantana mixes blend colors harmoniously, so they’re easy solutions for decorating bright, sunny spots in your outdoor living areas. Easy-care lantana is excellent for you if you’re new to gardening.
Living in Mind Gerber Daisy Garvinea Botanic Cinderella, Classic Kendall, and Classic Orangina (by
Florist) show off delightful daisy-shaped blooms on nofuss plants, even in the heat of summer.
Tecomaria Sun Trumpets Orange and Yellow (by Suntory) are
tropical shrubs that love the heat and show off intriguing colorful trumpetshaped flowers. Their fast growth makes these two plants perfect for quickly adding privacy to your sunny outdoor spaces.
73% of Millennials say having outdoor space for entertaining friends and family is important. —Better Homes and Gardens 2015 housing survey Hibiscus Disco Belle Red, Rose, and White (by Sakata) are three outstanding hybrids of a hardy, native, easy-care hibiscus. Their dinner-plate-sized flowers make you feel successful with an exotic plant that’s actually a cinch to grow. They grow well in containers, as well as beds and borders; in landscapes, these hibiscus are reliable perennials all the way up to Minnesota.
Kwik Kombos Blue Lightning (by
Syngenta) combines two summer favorites— lantana and scaevola—in a beautiful, no-fuss combo that’s perfect for adding instant impact to your favorite outdoor living spaces.
56% of Millennials say they’re “very interested” in container gardening. —2014 Costa Farms Custom Millennial Gardening Survey
Scaevola Scalora Top Pot Pink (by
Dummen Orange) is a fresh take on a triedand-true summer performer. It shows off a wealth of pink flowers against lustrous green foliage, no matter how hot summer weather gets. And you can forget to water it!
Torenia Summer Wave Large Amethyst, Blue, and Silver (by Dummen Orange) are summertime show stoppers with their constant and abundant supply of flowers.
Lemon grass (by HEM
Genetics) gives you a trendy grassy texture, as well as fragrant stems that are perfect for adding flavor to your favorite dishes. Show off to your friends!
“Millennials tend to want their outdoor spaces to look a lot more decorated than previous generations,” —BHG 2015 housing study
Planting for an Lantana Lucky Sunrise Rose and Flame (by Ball)
are about as easy-care as it gets. These colorful, droughtresistant flowers don’t need pruning, deadheading, or frequent watering to thrive.
Millennials seek inexpensive, lowmaintenance projects like drought-resistant landscaping. —BHG 2015 housing study
Euphorbia Starblast Snowdrift (by Westflowers)
takes tough conditions and adds tons of texture to garden beds, borders, container combos, and hanging baskets with its frothy, fluffy white flowers.
Easy-Care Yard Gaura Grace Blush (by Danziger) is a no-fuss native plant that provides beautiful wands of soft pink flowers all summer.
Salvia Cathedral Shining Seas (by Greenfuse)
delights with bicolor flowers on upright spikes. It loves heat, tolerates both humidity and drought, plus attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Pentas Starla Red and Lavender (by
Syngenta) are no-fail varieties ideal for beginning gardeners. Showing off a profusion of flowers, they hold up to all weather types.
Millennials perceive container gardens as being easier to maintain than in-ground plantings. —2014 Costa Farms Custom Millennial Gardening Survey
Annual Vinca Kawaii Coral and Lavender (by
EuroAmerican Propagators) are exciting, small-flowering varieties that thrive with virtually no care all summer.
Begonia Big Pink Green Leaf
(by Benary) frequently appears as a top plant in our trials. It’s ideal for consumers who want a carefree plant for sun or shade.
71% of consumers say easy maintenance is the most important quality of their outdoor space. –2015 Houzz.com landscaping study
Scaevola Scampi Blue (by Greenfuse) is
an incredibly easy-togrow annual groundcover that’s practically covered in lavender-blue flowers all summer. It’s a perfect component for high-impact container gardens.
Personalize Your Celosia Dragon’s Breath
(by Sakata) shows off dramatic purple-tinged foliage on a vigorous plant. Though it didn’t bloom over the summer, its pretty leaves created quite an impact.
Coleus Stained Glassworks Luminesce (by Dummen Orange) is a show stopper with its attention-grabbing hot pink foliage. Perfect for container gardens, it is ideal for getting a look all your own.
Angelonia Archangel Orchid Pink and Purple (by Ball) are outstanding varieties that add an architectural element to portable planters and landscapes—and are a cinch for beginners to grow.
Outdoor Space Celosia Fire CEPL 1754
(by Beekenkamp) stands out from the crowd with its bold spikes of intense pinkpurple flowers. It holds up well to hot, dry conditions, too, making it a good pick for your favorite containers.
Coleus Flame Thrower Chili Pepper and Spiced Curry (by Ball) are dramatic plants that appeal to new and experienced gardeners alike. They look good on their own or paired with practically any other plant in sun or shade.
“Millennials want to make their outdoors into showpieces.” —BHG 2015 housing study
Coleus Burgundy Wedding Train (by Dummen Orange) is a standout because of its trailing habit. Excellent for sun or shade, this coleus thrives in containers and hanging baskets.
Gomphrena Las Vegas Purple (by
Benary) has a unique look for decorating your outdoor living spaces. The long-lasting flowers have intense color and the pretty plants hold up well to tough weather.
Canna CannaSol Cleo and Lilli
(by Dummen Orange) are dramatic, impactful plants perfect for making your yard feel like your own. They’re excellent focal points for your containers and garden beds.
30% of consumers say the outdoor-design aspect they value most is that it reflects their personality. –2015 Houzz.com landscaping study
Annual Vinca Valiant Apricot, Burgundy, Lilac, Orchid, Punch, and Pure White (by PanAmerican
Seed) are top performers in a wide range of colors. They make it easy for you to get that “just right” look (and keep it beautiful) with their no-fuss, no-fail flowers.
Planting for the Lantana Chapel Hill Pink Huff and Sunset Orange (by Dummen Orange) are
perfect for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They also doesn’t need a lot of water so you can enjoy them without a lot of fuss.
Angelonia Serenita Blue Sky (by PanAmerican Seed) offers many spikes of flowers in a lovely shade of lavender blue. Wonderfully drought tolerant, it’s largely pest free. Plus it attracts pollinators to your yard. It’s ideal for container gardens, too.
Environment Gomphrena Ping Pong Purple (by Sakata) offers
pollen-rich flowers, making it ideal for your pollinator gardens. Its compact habit and colorful blooms make it a top pick for colorful containers, too. Plus it’s an elegant cut flower for bouquets!
Coreopsis Solanna Glow (by Danziger) is a
topnotch selection for your sunny containers, beds, and borders. Its yellow daisy-shaped flowers attract pollinators. Once established, Solanna Glow doesn’t require a lot of water, either.
Millennials are willing to pay 2% to 3% more for a home if it has energyefficient features. —2015 National Association of Homebuilders study
Lantana Bandito Orange Sunrise (by Syngenta) is
tough to beat for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to your yard. Its compact habit and low water needs make it a cinch to keep growing all season, too!
Lantana Bandana Rose (by Syngenta) is an ideal solution for adding beauty and drama to your garden without a lot of maintenance. Its multicolor flowers are a delight for you and pollinators alike.
43% of consumers say attracting pollinators is important to them. —2015 Houzz.com landscaping study
Ageratum Hawaii 5.0 Blue (by Benary)
is irresistible to bees and butterflies—and looks good, too, with button-like clusters of lavender-blue flowers topping a tidy, heatand drought-tolerant plant.
Kwik Kombo Bombay Summer Sparkler
(by Syngenta) is a high-impact, ready-made mix of no-fuss, low-water scaevola varieties. It’s sure to thrive in your container gardens and baskets, as well as landscapes.
Pentas Starcluster Lavender, Rose, and White (by Syngenta) are pretty enough
to be cut flowers, easy enough to be top picks if you’re a beginner, and versatile enough to thrive in both your container gardens and landscapes. Plus, they are naturals for pollinator gardens!
Annual Vinca Solar Avalanche Apricot VIN-7035 and Red VIN-7516 (by HEM
Genetics) bring butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to your garden (whether potted or in your landscape), and tolerate heat and drought like a champ.