Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange
Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [variety-selection]

For questions about choosing a variety or cultivar

Many garden plants are available with a range of different varieties (cultivars). Different varieties may produce different tasting fruit, different color flowers, different shape trees, etc. Different varieties may also suit different environments (e.g. frost tolerance, sun, shade, water). Use this tag when trying to choose a suitable variety for your needs and location.

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Are there any varieties of Elephant Ear that are hardy enough to withstand a zone 6b winter?

When I look at Elephant Ear varieties in plant catalogs, they all say Elephant Ears are hardy in zones 9-10, sometimes 7-10. But I see people in my area, zone 6b, growing them outdoors without winter protection. Are they growing special varieties or…
J. Musser
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What varieties of sweet corn are best for freezing?

Late fall / early winter means it's time to select seeds for next year's garden! What varieties of sweet corn are good for both eating fresh and freezing? The seed catalogs seem to be silent on the latter point, mostly emphasizing the fresh eating…
bstpierre
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What is the best sunflower for seed production in Pennsylvania zone 6b?

I have been growing mammoth grey stripe sunflowers for a while, but I want to know if there is a better producer for my climate. The area I would plant them in is a heavy, clay base soil. The average yearly rainfall for this area is forty inches. Is…
J. Musser
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Are 'winter' varieties important when sowing beans & peas in late autumn/fall?

This list of jobs for November suggests sowing peas and broad beans. The comments section is more specific about varieties to go for, namely: Aquadulce for Broadbeans and Douce Provence for Peas. How important is it to use the suggested varieties?…
Tea Drinker
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What variety of tomato grows no taller than about 10 cm?

I saw a very small tomato plant (I think less than 10cm) in a tiny pot, and it was producing tomatoes. What varieties of tomato grow like this?
Daniel Moura
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What are some non-sweet white corn varieties?

I've had some grilled white corn in some parts in south Mexico, prepared in different ways, they're all pretty good and none are sweet, I've been looking to grow some but most of the seeds I find say sweet corn, anyone know what kind they are? Some…
geermc4
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What variety of cedar is this in Puget Sound region?

Attaching three photos of of a grove of (I think) cedar trees, which are distinct from the common Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) which has a pyramid shape and uniform branches when standing alone. These trees have a lot more 'character' to the…
Merlin
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Microclover Mix Lawns

What has been people's experience with microclover/grass mix lawns? In theory they sound incredible, but I'm afraid that the clover will be so hearty that it will take over the entire lawn. Here's an example:…
stuckintheshuck
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What are the most fragrant non-double peonies?

Old-fashioned peonies are among my favorite perennials, easy to grow, spectacular in flower and awesomely fragrant. The old fully double varieties, however, have a serious weakness: a single rain storm while they are in bloom will completely trash…
Eric Nitardy
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What is the difference between a Red Japanese Maple and a 'Bloodgood' Japanese Maple?

I'm wondering about the difference between a Red Japanese Maple and a Bloodgood Japanese Maple. One source says Bloodgood's a deeper red than the seed grown variety. Another said something similar. A third source didn't have a clue. What is the…
Susan Simons
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What is a good variety of pomegranate to grow in Pennsylvania (US Hardiness Zone 6b/7a)?

I'm in south-central Pennsylvania and I've heard of hardy varieties of pomegranates that will grow in zone 6b/7a. What are some of the hardiest varieties that folks have successfully grown and fruited in a similar climate?
Tim Clymer
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Why do my Cherry tomatoes split as they ripen?

It doesn't matter what I do, my Cherry tomatoes always seem to have many of them crack when/as they ripen. I have tried everything - more sun, less sun, more water, less water, different varieties etc. It only seems to happen badly with Cherry…
user22542
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Is it wise to let lonicera grow over a brush pile?

I have a sizable brush pile in my yard, 5m x 5m (16ft x 16ft), height 2m (6.5ft). Even a colony of sparrows lives in it. I toy with the idea of planting a Lonicera caprifolium (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonicera_caprifolium) just beside the…
VividD
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Source for apple variety information

I'm learning more about apples. Here's my dilemma: I can get about a dozen varieties from my usual supplier. Generally prairie hardy apples are not commercially viable due to their size. Now in the garden catalog they use words like 'crisp'…
Sherwood Botsford
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Which vegetables under a walnut

On some pasts questions on this site, I discovered that walnuts release Juglone, which is nasty for the growth of many plants. I had/have a part of the vegetable garden partly under a Juglans regia, for more shadow tolerant vegetables. Note: still…
Giacomo Catenazzi
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