Top Plants From the 2026 UGA Trials
September 9, 2026 Editor’s note: Allan Armitage collaborated with Sandy Begani on this year’s selections from the University of Georgia Trial Gardens.
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I have often thought that the journey from a new plant to a popular plant is a bit like a mating ritual. The plant starts out in an experimental greenhouse somewhere and, if it shows enough promise over enough time, it may make its way to various trial greenhouses before finally making its industry debut at California Spring Trials. At the same time, it may be funneled into trial sites across the country.
All during this time, that plant, either as an experimental number or as a named cultivar, may be sent to private and public trial grounds across the country. These trials provide objective data over much of the country throughout the season. Results are sent back to breeders to help guide their decisions.
But trial gardens do their share of making a potentially popular plant into a best seller. Industry visits, evening soirees, and open houses for the public are all part of the process of turning potential to reality. If a plant catches enough eyeballs enough times, it gathers even more momentum. The courtship continues, and matches are made.
Geographical differences are extremely important because not all plants tolerate the diverse weather patterns throughout the country. For example, summer heat and humidity are two major hurdles that new plants must overcome on their way to stardom.
One trial site with both in abundance is the University of Georgia Trial Gardens, where industry visitors and the public flag the plants that stand out on designated days. Here are the season’s industry, public, and overall favorites.
A quick aside: Breeders are invited to participate in both public and private trials, but some have decided not to trial plants at public sites such as universities. That is shortsighted at best. If plants aren’t trialed, they are not seen.
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