The Penn State Flower Trials draws more than 200,000 visitors each year at three locations in Pennsylvania. The main trials site is at the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Manheim, PA, and the other two sites are Hershey Gardens in Hershey, PA, and North Park in Allegheny County, PA.
Excellent bloomer with dark, rich-purple flowers produced above medium-dark green foliage. Did not experience any storm damage in severe storms, blooming very well through the season.
2
of
15
Begonia 'Explorer Red on Green' (Sakata Ornamentals)
Very good bloomer with vivid rose flowers over bright-green foliage. Performed well in full sun in 2021, and tested it in both sun and shade in 2020. It exhibited excellent performance in both settings. Excellent performer in-ground or containers.
3
of
15
Begonia rex 'Jurassic Megalo Reptile' (Ball Ingenuity)
This rex begonia was outstanding, with excellent foliage featuring dark red-purple markings along the veins and silver in the leaves. No foliar injury was observed in 2021 and plants were quite uniform.
4
of
15
Calibrachooa 'Bloomtastic Yellow' (Dümmen Orange)
A calibrachoa with above-average flowering and long-season performance. Bright-yellow flowers show very well at a distance and close up.
5
of
15
Caladium 'Hot 2 Trot' (Classic Caladiums)
Strong red color and a uniform habit with outstanding foliar quality in both sun and shade.
6
of
15
Calylophus 'Sunglow Ladybird' (Proven Winners)
This midwestern native selection bloomed profusely with great pollinator insect interest. Sizable yellow flowers, and resistant to storm damage as well as heat.
7
of
15
Coleus 'FlameThrower Sriracha' (Ball FloraPlant)
Excellent foliar colors, uniform habit, and good overall growth characterize this selection. Performs very well in both sun and shade. Either in containers or in-ground, this selection gives excellent performance.
8
of
15
Evolvulus 'Blue My Mind' (Proven Winners)
Excellent bloomer with true-blue flowers and a compact and uniform habit. This selection bloomed very well all season, both in-ground and in containers.
9
of
15
Pelargonium 'Calliope Medium Dark Red DL' (Syngenta Flowers)
Strong cherry-red color with uniform habit and excellent foliage. This selection bloomed well all season.
Large lavender flowers that fade slightly with age. Strong bloomer all season with a uniform habit and dark-green foliage, and no beetle damage. Does well in-ground or containers.
11
of
15
Zinnia 'Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor' (Sakata Ornamentals)
Excellent habit, clean foliage, and loaded with bicolor orange and red flowers throughout the season.
12
of
15
Portulaca 'Sundial White Improved' (Ernst Benary of America)
With showy white flowers, consistent blooming, and a uniform habit, this selection is heat tolerant and exhibited no storm damage. Good performer in-ground and containers.
Stellar large, golden flowers with darker center. Uniform habit and excellent overall growth.
14
of
15
Torenia 'Vertigo Magenta' (Ameriseed)
Rich deep-blue flowers stand out with the green foliage. Uniform habit. Bloomed all season very well.
15
of
15
Salvia 'Sallyfun Pure White' (Danziger)
A very strong bloomer with numerous white flowers. Consistent performance all season, and still looking great in late September. Good performer in containers or in-ground
These gardens rely on staff, volunteers, interns, and industry support to be successful. These wonderful people assist with production, maintenance, and data collection on plant performance. Penn State Master Gardeners are deeply involvedwith the trials andprovide invaluable assistance throughout the season.
Advertisement
The information generated from the trials is valuable to the industry and to the public. The climate in Southern Pennsylvania is hot and humid during the growing season with heavy rainfall and strong storms at times. This year the temperature was above average with more than 30 days above 90°F. Rainfall was higher than normal, with 7 inches above average for Lancaster County by season’s end.
Check out the slideshow above for highlights from this year, and learn more about other 2021 field trials here.
January 11, 2022 
