Open House

Participants rating plant material at the 2019 Davis Summer Open House. (SK Reid)

Background

Each spring, summer, and fall the project opens the field sites to expose participants to new plant material and asks guests to rate the performance of selected plants on each irrigation treatment.

At this time, the event is not open to the general public and attendance is limited to landscape, horticulture, and nursery professionals as well as UCCE Master Gardeners. 

While participation is free, registration is required for each event.

What's involved?

Participants assess foliage quality, floral quantity and overall appearance of selected plants. The ratings take roughly 60-90 minutes to complete. Staff will provide a rubric, ratings sheet, clipboard, and a brief orientation. We also enjoy discussing with attendees the methods we use and the principles involved in landscape irrigation.

Important Details:

Participants should wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, as the field paths are packed soil and chipped bark mulch. You may also want to pack and use sunscreen and wear a hat, as most of the plants are in full sun. Participation is voluntary. Carpooling is encouraged, but not required. Cold water and a shade structure for resting are provided. 

Plants being evaluated in 2023:

2-year shrub & perennial trial:

• ×Chitalpa 'NCXC1' - El Nino® desert orchid
• Gaura 'Walsilfou' Walberton's® Silver Fountain gaura
• Lomandra longifolia 'Arctic Frost'
• Rosa 'Meidevi' - Buttercream Drift® rose
• Rosa 'Noa813219' - Flower Carpet® Peach rose
• Rosa 'Noa16079' - Flower Carpet® Lipstick rose
• Rosa 'Noa1112130' - Flower Carpet® Champagne rose
• Salvia microphylla 'Killer Cranberry'

Long term shrub trial (3 years under deficit irrigation):

• Hibiscus syriacus 'JWNWOOD4' - Pink Chiffon® rose of Sharon
• Lagerstroemia indica 'SMNLCIBF' - Center Stage® Red crapemyrtle
• Rosa 'Overedclimb' - Cherry Frost™ rose

Vines trial (3 years under deficit irrigation):

• Campsis × taglibuana 'Madame Galen' - Madame Galen trumpet vine
• Gelsemium sempervirens - Carolina jessamine
• Lonicera × heckrottii 'Goldflame' - Goldflame honeysuckle
• Parthenocissus quinquefolia - Virginia creeper
• Passiflora caerulea - Blue passionflower
• Vitis 'Roger's Red' - Roger's California grape
• Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' - Amethyst Falls wisteria