Echinops 'Arctic Glow'
Good Qualities:
Year 1:
Survived the summer (Zone 7a), let's see how they do next year; Unique gray/blue color - nice flower shape.
Year 2:
Interesting flower - more gray than species; Tall stems, good white thistle color.
Problems:
Year 1:
Painful to handle, research technicians had a fit that I was growing Athistle@, I'll not be surprised if there's some Round Up sabotage next spring; Didn't take the heat; Too short first year - needs 2nd season to evaluate; I await - this one tough as nails!
Year 2:
Not very vigorous; Very large plant, needs some support, difficult to cut, spiney.
Trial Data
Year 1
| Plants alive at end of summer (%) | Plants flowering (%) | Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) | Repeat Again Rating (1) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 75.0 | 51.5 | 3.5 | 15.5 | 0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 |
(1) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Year 2
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | Average Spacing (in2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 75 | 9.3 | 46.0 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 4.3 |
| Range of Responses | 0-100 | 4-16 | 30-60 | 2-3 | 3-5 | 3-0 | 1-5 | 4-5 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
Grow’n Sell
320 Lower State Rd.
Chalfont, PA 18914
215-822-1276
FAX 215-997-1770
www.gro-n-sell.com
Comments:
Year 1:
Maybe good in 2nd season.
Year 2:
Well received by retail florist; Similar to Echinops retro B Nothing special here, just a little more gray.