"Testing the best in the Midwest" at Plantpeddler's Variety Day 2025

Plantpeddler hosted Variety Day 2025 on Friday, August 1; a day focused on the goal of "Testing the best in the Midwest". Attendees were welcomed with a spectacular N.E. Iowa weather day. The event highlighted over 1,500 varieties of vegetative annuals in large containers, hanging baskets, and beds from a global array of breeders, in a vivid display of garden color. The day saw a record number of over 500 attendees including breeders, sponsors, brokers, growers, garden center managers, and industry professionals.

Prior to Variety Day, on Thursday, July 31, Plantpeddler hosted its second Educate the Educators Workshop, which was attended by over 50 schools from seven states. That evening, early arriving attendees enjoyed the Feast at the Farm and Plantpeddler's 45th Anniversary Celebration, complete with a full meal including BBQ, Iowa sweet corn, and performance by the band Incognito.

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© PlantpeddlerThe Plantpeddler Variety Day Top 25

Along with the activities in the Trial Gardens, supporting sponsors hosted a trade show during the Variety Day event, with a full slate of presentations on the main stage. Sessions began with Carlos Bogran from BioWorks informing growers on biorational management of disease and pests. The subject matter then switched to this year's focus, greenhouse structures and equipment, with talks from Griffin/Westland, BFG, Stuppy Greenhouse, Westbrook Systems, Green-Tek, Dramm, and BioTherm. Two achievement plaques were presented to Brad Meyer of Bachman's and Al Zylstra of Dramm.

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Plantpeddler Variety Day #1: Begonia Sweetspice Appleblossom

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Plantpeddler Variety Day #2: Bracteantha SunBrero Orange

© PlantpeddlerPlantpeddler Variety Day #3: Calibrachoa MiniFamous Uno Ember Eclipse

At Variety Day, participants had the opportunity to vote for their favorite three varieties. The winner this year is Begonia Sweetspice Appleblossom; available in the 2026 Plantpeddler program. The Top 25 was once again dominated by Begonias, with 11 winning varieties. Which makes sense for a trial at the industry leader in Begonias! The remaining 14 represent a mix of ten Spring Annuals genus.

© PlantpeddlerVariety Day Presentations: Biotherm & Plantpeddler 45th anniversaries with 2 generations

Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day 2025 is on December 4. Plantpeddler Variety Day 2026, which falls on the first Friday in August rolls back to the 7th.