9 Plant Varieties that Stood Out at 2019 Texas A&M Field Trials

Posted by Matthew Grassi|October 16, 2019

According to field trial manager and professor Brent Pemberton, Texas A&M University’s trials, which took place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton, TX, were planted in the field starting in May for crops like trailing petunias, through very early June for crops like vinca. Planting was slightly delayed due to heavy spring rains.

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Coleus 'ColorBlaze Wicked Witch' (Proven Winners)
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Echinacea 'Sombrero Hot Coral' (Darwin Perennials)
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Gaillardia Heat It Up Series (Proven Winners)
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Helianthus 'Suncredible Yellow' (Proven Winners)
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Pennisetum 'Fuzzy' (Benary)
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Portulaca 'Muffin Silver Rose'(Benary)
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Impatiens 'New Guinea SunPatiens Vigorous Orchid' (Sakata)
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SunStanding Helios Neon Red

Impatiens 'New Guinea SunStanding Helios' (Dümmen Orange)
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Vinca Soiree Kawaii Series (Suntory Flowers)

During the growing season, plants were exposed to what Pemberton characterizes as “extremely wet and mild conditions,” which reportedly made field prep quite a challenge. The weather remained mild when planting started in May and mild, wet weather continued through June. During July, normal summer heat arrived and the rains almost stopped. These conditions continued through August with temperatures hot by even Texas standards.

Pemberton says that more 500 entries were trialed of more than 70 species. Most were annual bedding plant species, but a significant number of herbaceous perennials were included.

Check out the slideshow above to see the nine varieties that stood out for Pemberton and his team. For a look at consumer favorites from the trials, click here.

Check out results of the 2017 Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Field Trials.