As we near the end of 2017, another trial garden season has come to a close at the Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens. The purpose of the trial gardens is to grow and evaluate new species and cultivars of a wide range of plants under mid-Michigan climatic conditions. Every trialing season is different in terms of the plant breeding companies represented, diversity of plant material entered into the trials and the weather conditions. The temperature and rainfall was much closer to the historical average this year and gave a needed reprieve after the drought conditions of 2016.
The 2017 MSU Trial Gardens. Photo by Daedre McGrath, MSU.
Plants were evaluated throughout the growing season based on vigor, uniformity and ornamental value of the flowers and foliage. The university also takes note of susceptibility to diseases and insects, and tolerance to changes in climatic conditions when appropriate. At the end of the season, they produce trial reports that summarize the six or seven separate evaluations completed throughout the summer. These results are provided to the participating companies and are available to the general public at our MSU Trial Gardens website.
Overall, 2017 was an excellent trialing season. With the help of the cooperative weather, all submitted varieties had a chance to show off their full potential. As a result, the displays were some of the showiest they’ve had in years. Plant varieties that receive full marks at every single evaluation end up in the “Best of the Best” category. These varieties are featured at numerous industry events, in horticultural publications and during presentation with local garden clubs.
Here is a selection of top performers in the following four categories: foliage plants, sun plants, shade plants and edibles.
Announcements
Vacancies
- Technical Sales Representative, Leamington, Ontario
- Technical Sales Representative, Ancaster, Ontario
- HR Generalist
- Head Grower Strawberries (West Virginia USA)
- Global Sourcing Manager
- Buying Operations Manager (BOM Process)
- Sourcing Manager EU
- Manager Operations Ethiopia
- Manager Operations Ethiopia
- Senior Grower
"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 - yesterday
- “With our placement in Türkiye, we have easy access to the rest of the world”
- Dutch growers lose faith
- Australia: Ball Mother-stock House meets growing demands
- "When buying our products, not only the rose production will be supported, also the well-being of rescued wildlife"
- "New substrate fiber fits into the future of cultivation"
Top 5 - last week
Top 5 - last month
- Hasfarm’s network expands in Indonesia, partnering with Bromelia Flowers and Tropika
- "Breeders need to study the Chinese market carefully before introducing a variety"
- Royal Flowers merges with The Elite Group
- North America: “Unbridled optimism for Mother’s Day tempered by reality”
- “A new sales channel for flower companies without any labor or high fixed costs”
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Other news in this sector:
- 2023-06-02 Meet Sira: White Santini with a bright green centre
- 2023-05-24 “New ways of utilising herbs in the garden”
- 2023-05-23 UK: Agapanthus 'Black Jack' Plant of the Year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023
- 2023-05-19 "It adds a unique tropical flair to the garden or landscape"
- 2023-05-04 "Bi-colored Supertunias have been increasingly popular with North American gardeners"
- 2023-04-28 Stage 3 tissue culture, "Easier than you think"
- 2023-03-22 "Perfect for producers looking for something special"
- 2023-03-17 "May the White Force bloom with you"
- 2022-12-16 "This multi-tasking new Bergenia is a star"
- 2022-12-06 "Amongst the category of garland hydrangeas it can truly be regarded as a (r)evolution"
- 2022-11-21 Snapdragon “DoubleShot Orange Bicolor F1” wins ASS Award
- 2022-10-03 Major instruction project Alaska botanical garden
- 2022-06-16 Robotics is no ‘quick fix’ to solving labor shortages
- 2022-06-13 US (KY) EHR’s 2022 new varieties report is now available
- 2022-06-09 $10,000 to build flower farm for at-risk youth
- 2022-05-19 The positive effects of gardening on mental health
- 2022-05-18 Banknote roses at Nanchang Banknote Printing Factory
- 2022-05-06 New concept: Hydrangea on a stem
- 2022-04-20 "A wilder messy look and more productive then others already commercial varieties"
- 2022-04-05 Terra Nova Nurseries Introduces Sneak Peeks of Gaura CONFETTI ‘Pink’ and Echinacea CARA MIA ‘Sands’
