Terra Nova Varieties Receive Top Marks in U.S. Plant Trial Programs
Terra Nova Nurseries received recognition in three major U.S. garden trial programs highlighting standout, best-of-breeding perennial varieties. Those three trial programs were:
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Terra Nova Variety Performances in U.S. Garden Trial Programs
At the Raker-Roberta Trial Gardens, 13 introductions from Terra Nova earned 5.0 ratings for season-long vigor, color, and hardiness. Among the top garden performers were:
- Coneflower Echinacea Delightful™ ‘Lace’
- Coneflower Echinacea Delightful ‘Sunshine’
- Coral bells Heuchera hybrid ‘Iridescent’
- Coral bells Heuchera sanguinea ‘Rosewood’
- Foamy bells Heucherella hybrid ‘Pink Stardust’
- Hummingbird mint Agastache hybrid ‘Peach Pearl’
- Hummingbird mint Agastache hybrid ‘Pink Pearl’
Four additional Terra Nova cultivars that scored 5.0 at Raker-Roberta were also recognized for cut-flower performance:
- Coneflower Echinacea hybrid Fresco™ ‘Apricot’
- Coneflower Echinacea hybrid Supreme™ ‘Cantaloupe’
- Coneflower Echinacea hybrid Supreme™ ‘Lime’
- Dwarf red hot poker Kniphofia hybrid Poco™ ‘Butter Brickle’
The JC Raulston Arboretum’s newly released 2024–2025 trial results, covering 2023 and 2024 plantings, further affirm Terra Nova perennials’ resilience and adaptability. The 2023 varieties delivered exemplary multi-year performance, comprising Echinacea Prima™ ‘Berry’, Kniphofia ‘Rocket Jr.’, and Geum Tempo™ ‘Rose’, each achieving 100% survival after two winters.
Momentum continued in the 2024 plantings, where Echinacea Fresco ‘Apricot’, Echinacea Kismet® ‘Pink Lemonade’, Phygelius Colorburst™ ‘Rose’, and Phygelius Colorburst ‘Yellow’ reached 100% survival after one winter.
“Seeing our plants perform this well across three very different trial environments is a strong validation of our breeding team’s work,” says Chuck Pavlich, Director of New Product Development at Terra Nova Nurseries. “It demonstrates that the plants perform as intended — the growing traits and habits are reliable; performance is consistent; and growers, retailers, and home gardeners can depend on these varieties to maintain quality and landscape value in real-world conditions.”
Terra Nova’s varieties also stood out at the 2025 UGA Trial Gardens. Echinacea Prima™ ‘Spider’ received a “Plant of Distinction” award, and five additional entries earned overall ratings above 4.0:
- Coneflower Echinacea hybrid Delightful ‘Lace’
- Coneflower Echinacea hybrid ‘French Tips’
- Coneflower Echinacea purpurea Revelation® ‘Coral’
- Tickseed Coreopsis verticillata Nova® ‘Opal’
- Tickseed Coreopsis verticillata Nova ‘Sunstone’
Additional Trial Garden Site Information
The JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University trials and showcases plants for adaptability, hardiness, and landscape performance in North Carolina’s climate, with findings relevant to the broader Southeast.
The Raker-Roberta Trial Gardens, based in Litchfield, MI, conduct large-scale evaluations of annuals and perennials for vigor, color, and overall garden performance.
The University of Georgia Trial Gardens, located on the university’s campus in Athens, GA, evaluate annuals and perennials for performance, resilience, and ornamental value in the Southeast’s challenging climate.
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