A Look at Annuals from Plantpeddler’s Variety Day 2025
Visiting Plantpeddler in Cresco, IA, is like stepping into a living showcase of color and texture. From the moment you walk into their trial area, you’re surrounded by row after row of containers, baskets, and flower-filled beds that surround the observation tent. The set-up made it easy to compare side by side and see how each plant holds up in real-world conditions.
View all
Each section offered an opportunity to evaluate not just beauty, but habit, uniformity, and how varieties performed in the summer heat. And believe me, it was hot that day. Breeders, growers, and industry friends moved between rows, exchanging notes and pointing out standouts that caught their eye.
This year’s trials also included a four-flag scoring system. Attendees received red, white, and blue flags, while breeders were given a fourth silver flag. Each color carried a point value:
- Red (2 points)
- White (2 points)
- Blue (3 points)
- Silver (an additional 2 points)
Varieties with the highest combined points from all four flag colors will be crowned the Variety Day 2025 winners.
For me, the most valuable part of the day was seeing the newest introductions alongside tried-and-true staples. That contrast told a story – innovation doesn’t always mean replacing the classics but finding ways to improve them.
By the end of the visit, I left with fresh ideas for combinations and a few mental notes on varieties worth keeping an eye on.
Keep an eye out for Part 2 of my Plantpeddler coverage, where I’ll dive into some of the perennials that were showcased this year.
Annuals from Plantpeddler’s Variety Day 2025
The annuals section was a burst of energy from the moment you stepped in, with rows of petunias, calibrachoas, begonias, and impatiens in every direction. It was easy to compare color saturation, flower size, and uniformity across series. There were a few standouts that caught my eye that offered unique patterns and bicolor effects that would turn heads in both garden centers and consumer landscapes.
Subscribe to eNewsletter
