2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Alternanthera 'Purple Prince'
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Capsicum 'Aji Rico'
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Cosmos All-America Selections trial
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Reiman Gardens trial beds at Iowa State University
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Reiman Gardens trial beds at Iowa State University
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Reiman Gardens trial beds at Iowa State University
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Reiman Gardens trial beds at Iowa State University
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Ornamental corn trials
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Ornamental Pepper 'Midnight Fire'
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Ptilotus All-America Selections trials
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Sprouting radish trials
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
French marigold All-America Selections trials
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Tomato 'Midnight Snack'
2017 Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University Field Trials
Zinnia 'Queeny Lime Orange'
Reiman Gardens is located just south of the central campus of Iowa State University in Ames, IA. The 2017 growing season was warmer than average with reduced rainfall throughout the summer months. Very hot and dry conditions provided an excellent stress test for the more than 250 trial entries this summer, and many flowering annuals that normally would continue their peak show through late summer showed a distinct decline this year.
Reiman Gardens is a trial location primarily for All-America Selections, American Garden Rose Selections, and Ball Horticultural Company. It donates a large portion of its produce from trials to the Garden Writers Association’s Plant a Row for the Hungry program. Both garden staff and dedicated volunteers help with the weekly harvest. Some of the most engaging crops for the public this year included a sprouting radish trial in the All-America Selections Edibles entries and new introduction peppers ‘Mad Hatter’ and ‘Aji Rico’ from PanAmerican Seed (both AAS 2017 Winners).
Top-Performing Varieties
Pennisetum glaucum ‘Copper Prince’
Canna generalis ‘Cannova Bronze Orange’
Foeniculum vulgaris ‘Antares’
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Midnight Snack’
Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘FlameThrower Salsa Verde’
Janeen Wright is former Editor for Greenhouse Grower. . See all author stories here.