Louisiana Master Gardeners attended an "Appreciation Day" at the LSU AgCenter's Hammond Research Station on Friday, May 13. The participants (RSVP - 345; actual attendance - 320) were provided a survey to indicate areas of interest in ornamental/landscape plant evaluation research. There was an 18% response rate. Participants were asked to vote for three plant categories from the list provided. Percentages of Louisiana Master Gardeners desiring research in the following topic areas were:
- Future Louisiana Super Plants - 70.2%
- New Herbaceous Perennials - 66.0%
- New Herbaceous Annuals - 42.6%
- New Coneflowers - 34.1%
- Buddleia Cultivars - 25.5%
- Easy Elegance Shrub Roses - 23.4
- Foliage (Coleus, Alternanthera, Copper Plants) - 23.4%
- Southern Living Trees/Shrubs - 10.6%
- Heirloom Hybrid Tea Roses - 6.4%
Interest in Louisiana Super Plants is considerable among MG'ers, especially what is coming in the future. In addition, it was interesting to note the desire for information on new herbaceous perennials (66%) as compared to annuals (42.6%). There also seems to be some desire for alternative rose cultivars, and it was also noted that specifically focused areas, such as buddleia and echinacea, received high marks.