Home > Lawn & Garden > Commercial Horticulture > Ornamentals > Caladium landscape performance in sun and shade (2011) [Image: Caladiums in shade garden] Caladiums are wonderful foliage ornamentals to provide season-long color to Louisiana landscapes. Many new "strap leaf" varieties have been introduced over the past several years that are more sun tolerant than the "fancy leaf" varieties. Results presented here are average sun tolerance ratings over June, July, and August 2011 from full-sun landscape evaluations at the Hammond Research Station. Top 10 Hostas from Hammond Research Station 2010 Shade Garden Trials [Image: Guacamole] Fifty-six hostas, including many new varieties, have been evaluated for landscape performance since spring 2010 at the Hammond Research Station in the Shade Garden. Presented here are the top 10 performers based on monthly ratings from June to August 2010. Top 10 Caladiums Rated from 2009 Caladium Variety Trial [Image: 1] A total of 38 caladium varieties were evaluated at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station during the summer of 2009 for their landscape performance, including foliage color, fullness and plant uniformity. The top 10 performers are presented here. (Caladium tubers were donated by Classic Caladiums and Happiness Farms.) Ornamental Pepper Trial Results [Image: purple flash] Forty-six ornamental pepper varieties commercially available to growers and gardeners were evaluated during 2007 and 2008 for their garden performance in the Gulf States at three locations: Hammond (La.), Crystal Spring (Miss.) and Verona (Miss.). Variety performance from the Hammond Research Station trials are presented in the attached PDF file. Top ten cultivars were highlighted. Please see related article for their photos.  more articles... Knock Out Roses - Blackspot Disease Ratings 2008 and 2009 [Image: overview photo] The LSU AgCenter has a landscape trial of Knock Out rose varieties at Burden Center in Baton Rouge and also at the Hammond Research Station in Hammond. Blackspot ratings for 2008 are included here. Horticulture industry damage significant, but not major (Distributed 09/08/08) Louisiana’s commercial ornamental horticulture industry received significant but not major damage from the effects of Hurricane Gustav, according to experts at the LSU AgCenter. 2006 Impatiens Trial Results [Image: 2006 Impatiens Trial Results ] Impatiens are colorful summer-flowering annuals that provide season-long color in landscape and home gardens. The 2006 impatiens trial conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station evaluated some of the latest release of mini impatiens, trailing impatiens, double impatiens and New Guinea impatiens. Landscapers and gardeners can choose impatiens for shade or sun areas according to the trial results. Tune up Landscape Irrigation [Image: irrigate] A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth. Ornamental Gingers as Potted Landscape Plants [Image: ginger] Ornamental gingers encompass a diverse and versatile group of plants that are gaining increased popularity in the flowering pot plant, landscape and cut flower markets. They have showy and attractive foliage and flowers, which make them interesting ornamentals. All-American Daylillies: Performance and the Rust Threat [Image: daylily rust] Interest in daylilies is still strong despite rust problems over the past several years. New daylily selections and All-American daylily winners need to be evaluated in the Gulf South for landscape performance. Fertigation Uniformity from Sprinklers in a Nursery Studies of water distribution uniformity and fertigation uniformity with sprinkler irrigation were conducted in a commercial container nursery. The first phase of the study consisted of determining water uniformity for two sprinkler heights. The second phase consisted of determining fertilizer application uniformity. Camellia Garden at the Hammond Research Station [Image: Group photo of people in front of large camellia] A two-acre camellia garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station is now open again, thanks to the efforts of the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners. Baldcypress and Pondcypress: An Annotated Bibliography 1890-1995 (June 1996) [Image: Baldcypress and Pondcypress An Annotated Bibliography 1890-1995 (June 1996)] This bibliography was compiled at a time of increasing concerns about the health status of baldcypress forests in Louisiana and beyond. This bibliography intends to provide researchers, decision makers and forestry professionals with a comprehensive reference in this subject. (PDF Format Only) Louisiana's Green Industry: Evaluation of its Economic Contribution (September 2003) [Image: Louisiana's Green Industry: Evaluation of its Economic Contribution (September 2003)] The green industry is the production, sale and maintenance of ornamental plants and related products. The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of the green industry on Louisiana’s economy. (PDF format only)