<Alberta Perennial Trials>

Alberta Perennial Trials

Take the guess work out of selecting perennials for your garden and come and visit the test gardens at the Calgary Zoo.

The horticultural industry has recognized that climatic conditions across our province pose unique challenges to the home gardener. The Alberta Perennial Trials has been established to assist growers and gardeners select perennials that will perform well in our region. The project is funded by the Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund (ACIDF) and horticultural growers and retailers in western Canada .

New perennial introductions are evaluated at three test sites: the Calgary Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Olds College and the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton . Plant material is evaluated for three seasons for hardiness, growth and vigor, pest and disease resistance, bloom time, and overall landscape value. The test plots are unique in that they are arranged to showcase the possibilities of perennial plant design. Information and inspiration are the goals of the project. Stay tuned for 2005 -2007 test results due out spring 2008!

Perennials Trialed
	Athyrium niponicum 'Metallicum' - Japanese Painted Fern	Beautiful fern with olive green foliage and red wine coloured stems. Plant in a sheltered location in dappled shade for best results.
	Chrysanthemum x morifolium 'Tigertail' - Garden Mum	Part of the Firecracker Mums series developed by Jeffries Nurseries in Manitoba . Lovely yellow blooms are burnished with an apricot hue. Plant in full sun in fertile, well drained soil. This visitor favorite begins blooming in mid July and continues on right through the fall.
	Echinacea purpurea Rubin's Glow - Purple cornflower	This new cultivar has vibrant pink blooms with prominent russet cones. The petals are shorter and broader than the species and the blooms have a spicy scent. Bees love this plant and so will gardeners!
Look for result brochures in spring 2008 at The Calgary Zoo's North Star Gift Shop.