(David West is Cleveland County’s Staff Chair and Agriculture Agent with the University of Arkansas System Cooperative Extension Service. Contact David via email at dwest@uada.edu or phone at (870) 325-6321.)
“No pressure, no diamonds.” - Thomas Carlyle
“A diamond is just a rock that refused to break under the heat and pressure.” - Matshona Dhiwayo
The hardness, brilliance, and sparkle of diamonds make them unsurpassed as gems. Arkansas Diamonds plants are locally grown, rigorously tested plants proven to thrive in Arkansas’s challenging climate, featuring high heat tolerance, drought resistance and low maintenance. The program is a partnership between the Arkansas Green Industry Association, the Cooperative Extension Service, local growers and independent garden centers. The emphasis has generally been on plants with vibrant blooms and foliage that fare well in Arkansas’ soils and climate. Candidate plants are evaluated for durability under such stressors as heat, drought, poor soil fertility and their ability to resist insects and disease. Also, aesthetic appeal and overall landscape performance are big factors too.
Dr. Anthony Bowden, extension ornamental specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, recently adjusted the program. Last year the program was changed from a one-year trial period to a two- year trial period. The longer period allows “for a more comprehensive and reliable picture of performance across variable environmental conditions.” Dr. Bowden said, “A single growing season may not capture the full range of stressors that influence plant health and ornamental value, such as unusually mild or extreme weather, pest outbreaks, or inconsistent rainfall.” Last year, Dr. Bowden had 37 trial plots in 32 counties including 2 plots in Rison.
Here in Cleveland County, we started our fourth consecutive year of the Arkansas Diamonds trials this week. It is a collaborative effort with the Extension agent along with the Master Gardener’s and County Cultivators. They will meet monthly and measure each plant’s height and width in inches, score a flower rating, score a health rating, and check for insect or disease issues. This data will be collected monthly until frost. After the data has been accumulated statewide Dr. Bowden will return a report with the results to each county.
If you are interested in learning more about the Arkansas Diamonds Program, give us a call at the Cleveland County extension office at (870) 325-6321. This year the four plants in the trial are: Solarscape Salmon Punch Impacien, Salvia Mystical Blue, Bonaza Flame French Marigold, Dart Red-White Picotee Dianthus. Feel free to come by the extension office at 501 E. Magnolia in Rison.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
The reference to brand names in this article is not an endorsement of these products, as the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Research & Extension does not endorse specific pesticide brands.