2020 Penn State Flower Trials
Horticulture trial gardens have a long history at Penn State. The first flower trial was opened in 1933 at University Park to test seed-grown bedding plants.
In 1994 the flower trial at the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SEAREC) in Landisville, Pennsylvania, was started to evaluate vegetative and container-grown annuals for their outdoor performance and tolerance to pest problems in the hot, humid summer climate of southeastern Pennsylvania. Data is applicable to the millions of consumers and thousands of commercial growers in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2008 more than 1,330 varieties were entered from breeders in Europe, Central America, the United States, Israel, Africa, and China, as well as from Pennsylvania growers.
This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Flower Trials were held virtually on July 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
2020 Virtual Flower Trials Highlights
- Keynote by Allan Armitage, Emeritus Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia
- Remarks from Ball Seed, including Anna Ball, Proven Winners, Dummen Orange, and Syngenta Flowers.
- Breeders Showcase
- Flower Trial Virtual Tour
What is SEAREC?
The gardens at SEAREC are living laboratories and garden classrooms for horticulture, plant pathology, and entomology. Commercial visitors use the gardens to develop plant lists knowing that varieties have been fully tested in this climate and under standard cultural conditions. Others have used the trials for photography, relaxation, inspiration, or simply selecting the best plants for their own gardens.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, SEAREC is closed to the public. While we are waiting to reopen, we hope you will check back often to our 2020 Flower Trials Video Series and enjoy a virtual visit to the farm. Videos will be added throughout the season.
Be sure to visit the Penn State Flower Trials website!
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