Home > Crops & Livestock > Crops > Nursery Crops > Nursery Crop Outlook - 2009 [Image: azaleas] The LSU AgCenter provides annual outlooks for different agriculture commodities in Louisiana. 2008 was a tough year for nursery growers with the national economic slowdown, along with damage to the industry from Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike and snowfall in December. Here is an overview of the current national and state situation. Ball FloraPlant, Ball Seed and Pan American Seed Herbaceous Plant Trial Report - 2007 Landscape evaluation observations were taken on new plants from Ball Seed, Pan American Seed and Ball Flora Plant in 2007. Here is the completed report from LSU AgCenter work at Burden Center and the Hammond Research Station. Snow Damage to Louisiana's Nursery Industry - An Economic Report [Image: snow on nursery plants] Snowfall across the southern and central portions of the state on December 11, 2008, caused considerable damage to Louisiana's nursery industry via damage to greenhouse structures and plant material. Here is a report on the estimate of economic damage. AARS winners for 2009 announced [Image: pinkpromise] (Distributed 01/16/09) Three new roses representing three classes of roses are the 2009 All-America Rose Selections winners. The three are Pink Promise, a hybrid tea; Cinco de Mayo, a floribunda; and Carefree Spirit, a landscape shrub.  more articles... Ball Flora Plant, Ball Seed and PanAmerican Seed Herbaceous Plant Trial Report - 2008 Landscape evaluation observations were taken on new plants from Ball Seed, Pan American Seed and Ball Flora Plant (now collectively referred to as Ball Horticulture) in 2008. Here is the completed report from LSU AgCenter work at the Hammond Research Station. Zahara Series Zinnias - Photo Gallery [Image: coral rose] The Zahara series of zinnias are new from Ball Horticulture Company for 2009. There are four cultivars and a mix available. This is a Zinnia marylandica species. All America Rose Selection Winners for 2009: 2008 Data from Louisiana Landscape Observations The 2009 All-America Rose Selection (AARS) winners are Pink Promise, Cinco de Mayo and Carefree Spirit. A landscape study on these three cultivars was initiated in spring 2008 at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge, LA. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall landscape performance of these new AARS winners as measured by visual quality ratings and blackspot susceptibility. Snow damages Louisiana nursery industry, retail garden centers [Image: damaged greenhouse] (Distributed 12/15/08) Although the exact costs aren’t in yet, the unexpected snowfall on Dec. 11 caused more damage to Louisiana’s commercial ornamental horticulture industry than hurricanes Gustav and Ike. “Wholesale growers in the Forest Hill area and the Florida parishes saw the most damage, and these areas represent the two major nursery production areas in the state,” said Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter horticulture specialist at the Hammond Research Station. Hurricane Gustav - Initial Notes on the Impact to the Nursery Industry Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Louisiana on Labor Day and did minor damage to the commercial ornamental horticulture industry. 2008 Enterprise Budgets for Ornamental Crops in Plant Hardiness Zones 8 and 9 [Image: Ornamental Crop Budgets] The report includes enterprise production cost budgets for the following container-grown ornamental crops in plant hardiness zones 8 and 9: indica azalea, crape myrtle, liriope, southern live oak, lantana and fig. Coleus Landscape Trials for 2008 - The Top Performers [Image: red hot rio] Forty three coleus varieties were trialed in landscape evaluation plots at the Hammond Research Station in 2008. Top performers were Red Hot Rio, Big Red Judy, Zen Moment, Lancelot, Ruby Ruffles, Mariposa, Henna, Indian Summer (not pictured), Royal Glissade, Pineapple Splash and Fishnet Stockings. Here is a photo gallery. Results are based on plant vigor, foliage attractiveness, and resistance to flowering. Plants were grown in full sun. Crape myrtle varieties and their care described (Distributed 06/17/08) The LSU AgCenter has conducted a considerable amount of evaluation research on crape myrtles over the last 10-plus years, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. “Probably 40-50 varieties are worthy of being grown and sold in Louisiana,” Owing says. Razzle Dazzle Crape Myrtles - Introduction / Landscape Performance in 2007 and 2008 [Image: cherry dazzle ] The newest series of crape myrtles are the 'Razzle Dazzle' series. There are hybrids and are dwarf in form. Landscape performance evaluations are underway at the LSU AgCenter. Nursery and Landscape News [Image: Nursery Notes header] Nursery and Landscape Notes is a quarterly newsletter for Louisiana's green industry professionals. It includes production information for nursery growers and cultural practice recommendations for landscape contractors. New plant information is also included. Click for more information...