Master Gardeners attending the LMG Appreciation Day at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station on May 13th were provided a survey to indicate areas of interest in ornamental/landscape plant evaluation research. Participates were asked to vote for three plant categories from a list provided. From an 18% response rate the percentages of Louisiana Master Gardeners desiring research in the following topic areas were:
Future Louisiana Super Plants – 70.2%
New Herbaceous Perennials – 66.0%
New Herbaceous Annuals – 42.6%
New Coneflowers – 34.1%
Buddleia Cultivars – 25.5%
Easy Elegance Shrub Roses – 23.4
Foliage (Coleus, Alternanthera, Copper Plants) – 23.4%
Southern Living Trees / Shrubs – 10.6%
Heirloom Hybrid Tea Roses – 6.4%
Interest in Louisiana Super Plants is considerable among MGers, especially what is coming in the future. In addition, it was interesting to note the desire for information on new herbaceous perennials (66%) – as compared to annuals (42.6%). There also seems to be some desire for alternative rose cultivars and it was also noted that specifically focused areas, such as Buddleia and Echinacea, received high marks.