Publications
Mississippi Medallion Plants: 2010The Mississippi Medallion program was established in 1996 by the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association to increase awareness of plant materials and to promote sales and production of ornamental plants in Mississippi. Compared to national campaigns such as All American Selection and Perennial Plant of the Year, the Mississippi Medallion program focuses on plants adapted to the environment in Mississippi to benefit both consumers and the green industry. This publication gives an introduction to the 2010 Mississippi Medallion Plants and is part of a series of publications that promote awareness of these plants.
Electric Lime™ Coleus
(Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘UF04335’)
Characteristics: Sun or shade annual; sun-tolerant coleus
For gardeners—Electric Lime coleus came from a
breeding program at the University of Florida and
does well in both sun and shade (at least 3 hours of
sun). It can reach 2 feet tall and as wide. Lime green
foliage is decorated with yellow-green veins. It is great
for flower bed borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
Removing the white flowers can extend the
plant’s performance through late summer. Companion
plants for Electric Lime coleus could be other coleus
with red or purple foliage such as ‘Kong Coleus’ Solenostemon scutellarioides (2006 Mississippi Medallion
Winner) and other dark-leafed plants including
‘Purple Knight’ Alternanthera dentate (2005 Mississippi
Medallion Winner).
For growers—Available as vegetative cuttings; potting media pH: 5.8–6.0; light level: 4,000–10,000 fc; day/night temperature: 75–85 ºF /60–70 ºF; fertilization: 150–200 ppm N; No. of pinches: 0–2.
‘Purple Flash’
Ornamental Pepper
(Capsicum annum)
Characteristics: Sun annual; drought- and heat-tolerant
For gardeners—The Purple Flash ornamental pepper
has exotic, dark purple, almost iridescent foliage with
the youngest leaves flashing white, green, and bright
purple. Purple flowers will then top the plant with
glossy, chickpea-sized bright red “pearls” that change
to dark purple fruits. The fruits are extremely hot and
not recommended for eating. Like its vegetable relatives,
Purple Flash ornamental pepper is very heat tolerant.
Plus, it is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance
plant. It has a mounded growth habit and grows to a
foot tall and up to 2 feet wide. It can be used in flower
beds and containers, and it mixes well with any summer
green colors.
For growers—Available as seed propagated in plug sizes 288 or larger; cover seed: cover lightly; germination temperature: 72–76 ºF; days to germinate: 5–7; plug crop weeks: 4–5; recommended containers: pack, 4-inch to 1-gallon.
‘Fireworks’ Gomphrena
(Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’)
Characteristics: Sun annual; abundance of flowers
For gardeners—‘Fireworks’ gomphrena produces
more flowers than almost any other gomphrena. It has
large pink flowers decorated with yellow anthers on
long stems. Most people consider it prettier than other
landscape gomphrena cultivars. When planted after
frost, it grows to about 3–4 feet tall and wide, and
flowers from late spring to frost with great tolerance of
Southern heat and drought. Because of the huge number
of flowers, ‘Fireworks’ puts on a magnificent
flower show by itself. It can be grown as a cut flower
or for drying.
For growers—Available as coated seed; plug size: 288 or larger; cover seed: yes; germination temperature: 68–75 ºF; days to germinate: 3–4; plug crop weeks: 5–6; recommended containers: 5-inch to 1-gallon.
Gulf Muhly Grass
(Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Characteristic: native perennial grass
For gardeners—This 3- to 4-foot tall grass has delicate
pink blooms, which rise above fine-textured bluegreen
foliage like soft clouds or candy cotton. The
blooms last from September to November and remain
attractive into winter. It is drought-tolerant, troublefree,
and suitable for difficult areas including traffic
islands. It could be used in containers or planted
singly or in groups in the landscape. It mixes well
with other grasses or plants with contrasting textures.
There is also a white form available, Muhlenbergia capillaris
‘White Cloud.’
For growers—Available as plugs; zone 6–9; full sun or partial sun; recommended containers: 1-gallon and above.
References
www.provenwinners.com
www.ballhort.com
Copyright 2011 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
By Dr. Mengmeng Gu, Assistant Extension Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Dr. Guihong Bi, Assistant Research Professor, Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station.
Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of federal and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group affiliation is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
Publication 2641
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director
(01-11)