Top Performers From the Plantpeddler 2022 Variety Day
Plantpeddler in Cresco, IA, hosted its Plantpeddler 2022 Variety Day on Friday, August 5. It was a day focused on delivering on the goal of “Testing the Best in the Midwest.”
On a beautiful weather day, the event highlighted nearly 1,500 varieties of vegetative annuals in large containers, hanging baskets, and beds from a global array of breeders. The garden color and grounds were sensational and enjoyed by a growing number of attendees including breeders, sponsors, brokers, growers, garden center managers, and industry professionals.
This year, an outstanding slate of presenters covered growing culture and clean production protocols, including Alicain Carlson, Ph.D., Syngenta Flowers; Christopher Currey, Ph.D, Iowa State University; and Robert “Bob” Jungwirth, Plant Marvel. Also presenting were Greg Gabrels of Sakata and Diane Blazek of All-America Selections. The day included demonstrations of technology at Plantpeddler, including the ISO sticking robots.
Participants had the opportunity to vote on their top three varieties. The winner this year was Begonia ‘I’Conia Portofino Sunrise’, which is in the 2023 program at Plantpeddler. But accolades go to Portulaca which captured five spots in the Top 25, tied with begonias for the most genus selections.
Here’s a list of all winners (check out the slideshow for a closer look at the top five favorites):
Rank | Genus | Series | Variety | Breeder |
1 | Begonia | I’Conia Portofino | Sunrise | Dümmen Orange |
2 | Verbena | Lascar | Orange Lava | Selecta One |
3 | Lantana | Bandolista | Red Chili | Syngenta Flowers |
4 | Calibrachoa | Rainbow | Calypso Coral | Dümmen Orange |
5 | Portulaca | Mega Pazzaz | Red | Danziger |
6 | Bracteantha | Granvia | Gold | Suntory |
7 | Coleus | Under the Sea | Barracuda | USask |
8 | Portulaca | Mega Pazzaz | Pink Twist | Danziger |
9 | Begonia | Florencio | Orange | Syngenta Flowers |
10 | Petunia | Itsy | White | Syngenta Flowers |
11 | Lantana | Heartland | Really Red | Dümmen Orange |
Tie 12 | Petunia | Perfectunia | Mandarin | Westhoff |
Tie 12 | Verbena | Temari | Trailing Blue | Suntory |
14 | Osteospermum | Zion | Morning Sun | Selecta One |
15 | Begonia | Waterfall | Angel Soft Pink | Beekenkamp |
16 | Portulaca | Confetti Garden | Cupcake Night | Dümmen Orange |
17 | Portulaca | Mega Pazzaz | Mango Twist | Danziger |
18 | Calibrachoa | Kwik Kombo | Callie Color Wheel | Syngenta Flowers |
Tie 19 | Portulaca | Confetti Garden | Cupcake Party 2022 | Dümmen Orange |
Tie 19 | Petunia | Tea | PTTR 0041 – Flamingo | Beekenkamp |
21 | Calibrachoa | MiniFamous Uno | Yellow+Red Vein 22 | Selecta One |
22 | Begonia | Hiemalis | Vermillion Red | Beekenkamp |
23 | Begonia | Beauvilia | Dark Salmon | Beekenkamp |
24 | Geranium Inters | Calliope Cascade | Violet | Syngenta Flowers |
25 | Bracteantha | Granvia | Pink | Suntory |
Plantpeddler greatly appreciate all of the breeders for submitting genetics, supporting vendor partner sponsors, the team at Plantpeddler for all the efforts and hosting, and especially everyone who attended the Plantpeddler 2022 Variety Day.
Mark your calendars for the Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day on Dec. 1, 2022. Plantpeddler Variety Day 2023 is on August 4. For more information and images from this or other Plantpeddler events, email [email protected].