Each year, Greenhouse Grower asks field trial managers across the country to share their results with us, including how weather affected their trials, new ideas they tried, and the varieties that made their top performer, best of show, and consumer favorite lists.
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Alternanthera 'Purple Prince' (Photo courtesy of Young's Plant Farm.) This variety appeared more than five times on top performer lists across the country.
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Calibrachoa ' MiniFamous Neo Orange + Red-Eye' (Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota.)
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Coleus 'Flame Thrower Salsa Verde' (Photo courtesy of Louisiana State University.) This variety appeared three times on top performer lists across the country.
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Coleus ‘Main Street Michigan Avenue’ (Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota.)
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Dianthus ‘Jolt Pink Magic’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.)
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Echinacea ‘Sombrero Sangrita’ (Photo courtesy of The Ohio State University.)
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Echinacea ‘Sombrero Lemon Yellow Improved’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.)
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Helianthus ‘Autumn Gold’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.)
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Miscanthus ‘Bandwidth’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.)
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Pennisetum glaucum ‘Copper Prince’ (Photo courtesy of Colorado State University.)
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Pentas ‘Lucky Star Deep Pink’ (Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University.)
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Pentas ‘Lucky Star Lavender’ (Photo courtesy of The Ohio State University)
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Pepper ‘Midnight Fire’ (Photo courtesy of Louisiana State University.) This variety appeared three times on top performer lists across the country.
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Petunia ‘Supertunia Bordeaux’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.) This variety appeared three times on top performer lists across the country.
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Petunia ‘Supertunia Lovie Dovie’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.) This variety appeared four times on top performer lists across the country.
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Petunia ‘Supertunia Mulberry Charm’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.)
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Petunia ‘Supertunia Vista Bubblegum’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.)
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Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Improved’ (Photo courtesy of Colorado State University.) This variety appeared more than five times on top performer lists across the country.
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Salvia ‘Rockin’ Deep Purple’ (Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin/West Madison Agricultural Research Station.)
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Salvia ‘Rockin’ Playin’ the Blues Improved’ (Photo courtesy of The Ohio State University.)
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Thunbergia ‘Lemon A-Peel’ (Photo courtesy of University of Georgia.) This variety appeared three times on top performer lists across the country.
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Verbena ‘EnduraScape Pink Bicolor’ (Photo courtesy of North Dakota State University.)
This year, wild swings in weather, from heat waves and unseasonably cool weather to gale-force winds and pounding rains, kept field trial managers on their toes, but overall most of the sites came through just fine.
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Thirty-five varieties appeared on Top Performer lists more than once this year, with Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Improved’ (Ball FloraPlant) and Alternanthera ‘Purple Prince’ (PanAmerican Seed) appearing at least five times. Petunia ‘ColorRush Pink’ (Ball FloraPlant), and Petunia ‘Supertunia Lovie Dovie’ (Proven Winners) appeared on Best of Show lists four times.
Keep in mind that this is a non-scientific poll, because not every location trialed every variety, and plants listed here are in no particular order, as many of them are not ranked specifically. Also, not all of the top performer varieties are listed.
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Trial managers were more adventurous this year and added several new projects. Oklahoma State University started no-till trials for its in-ground plants. Michigan State University added succulent trials, and The Ohio State University trialed in real time with Virtual Reality. University of Wisconsin’s faculty used its trials to promote special topics, such as ceremonial tobacco for the Ojibe tribe and screening onions for flavor by local chefs.
This slideshow includes some of the varieties featured on field trial gardens top performer lists, and you’ll find plenty more trial information from universities, public gardens, and grower trials across the U.S. under the Varieties tab on GreenhouseGrower.com.
015Top Performing Plant Varieties from 2017 Field Trials