Interim ratings for 2012 are posted:

"Some of the top rated Heuchera cultivars of 2012 include 'Apple Crisp', 'Berry Smoothie', 'Berry Marmalade', 'Cajun Fire', 'Purple Petticoats', 'Dale's Strain', 'Obsidian', 'Guardian Angel', and 'Spellbound'...."

Rating System

Our numerical rating system ranges from one to five and can be interpreted as follows:

1. Poor
2. Below Average
3. Average
4. Good
5. Excellent

Ratings are made during weekly observations. The following rubric is used in assigning ratings for overall plant health and appearance.

1. Dying or near death.
2. Very open habit or damage on more than 25% of foliage.
3. Slightly open habit and may have a small amount of damaged foliage.
4. Vigorous and healthy, with a habit that is dense but not perfectly uniform.
5. Habit is perfectly dense and mounding. No disease or foliage problems.

The following rubric is used when assigning ratings for floral display.

1. Inconspicuous flowers. Display is unattractive and would be best if removed.
3. Floral display does not detract from the aesthetic appeal.
Flowers are not proportional to plant size or do not compliment foliage color.
5. Flowers are numerous and complimentary to the foliage color.
Floral display is attractive and can be thought of as a selling point.

The following rubric is used when assigning ratings for sun tolerance.

1. Majority of foliage is burnt. Poor growth/vigor.
2. Moderate foliage burning, slight bleaching or burning on new growth.
3. Leaf discoloration/bleaching and small burnt spots or leaf margins.
4. Mild discoloration/bleaching. Slight sun damage on lower leaves only.
5. No sun damage. Looks similar to plants grown in shade.


http://www.mtcubacenter.org/pl...

Thanks for the update. This is really interesting and some good information to keep on hand!

Great information - I bookmarked it.

Thanks so much.

Thanks for the info. It will be interesting to see the results after the 3 years. Many of the ones they have highly rated have been very bad performers for me. Look good first year and do not overwinter and some they have not so highly rated I have for years.

Bob. Apple Crisp is suscepible to heuchera rust in my garden. The tides may turn as the years pass. This is for the Atlantic states so not good info for me.

I found the whole Crisp series to be problems along with the Marmalades.None of them overwintered here, and I tried more then once

Disease Update
From: http://www.mtcubacenter.org/im...


As a group, the Heuchera cultivars in our trial have performed exceedingly well- that is until now. The wet weather this summer proved to be more than some Heuchera could handle. From a total of 87 selections being evaluated, 19 cultivars suffered with a range of symptoms, from moderate defoliation to death. The main pathogen causing these losses was Phytophthora, of which there are several species.

Another disease we came across this summer was a Cercospora leaf spot. This fungus is specific to Heuchera and having so many in one place most likely amplified its presence. The symptoms are small lesions on the leaf surface which can detract from the quality of the foliage, but generally only when viewed up close. As the weather improved, the disease diminished and infected leaves were removed. No lasting damage was done to the plants.

Interesting. I wonder which ones died? My spring weather is always wet and damp so good for the testing.

springcolor said: ...I wonder which ones died? . .

I am hoping they will be mentioned in a yearly evaluation report.

Yes, that would be good. Thanks for keeping us posted.

I would be interested in knowing which varieties succumbed. I am wondering if there is a link to specific types.

Cercospora leaf spot is not necessarily specific to Heucheras.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...

Cercospora rosicola is often found on roses. Many gardeners mistakenly identify what they are seeing as blackspot, including me

Smiles,
Lyn

Mt Cuba Trial Garden Report - Heuchera in the Mid Alantic.

http://www.mtcubacenter.org/ho...

Thank you for posting this.

springcolor said:Thank you for posting this.

Most welcome. Have contractor running in and out so maybe have chance to read this weekend.

Looks very interesting, I am going to print it out now thanks.

Read it and most the ones in the top 10 have done well for me. I have never seen Steel City for sale, it has been on my want list for awhile.