Note: Information for this trials report was provided by Kristi Challender, Trial Garden Manager and R&D Coordinator at Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants.
We had exceptionally high amounts of rain this year. By the end of July, we were 10 inches above normal. Finally in August, the weather turned more favorable, and the plants got their chance to flourish.
We trialed more than 3,100 varieties at Raker-Roberta’s. This year in our sun comparisons, we featured Angelonia, Salvia, French Marigolds, Cuphea, Calibrachoa, Alyssum, and Begonia hybrids. In our shaded area, we had Begonia tuberous and Impatiens wallerina.
Our top-rated varieties this year were:
- Helianthus ‘Sunfinity Double Yellow’ (Syngenta Flowers)
- Begonia ‘Poppy Peach’ (Westhoff)
- Curcuma ‘Siam Shadow’ (ForemostCo)
- Vinca ‘Nirvana XDR Blackberry’ (Syngenta Flowers)
New this year, Raker-Roberta’s hosted the north/central region of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Regional Conference. This was a two-day event with educational speaker sessions, tours, and networking with other cut flower growers. We had a great turn out and I really enjoyed meeting so many people with the same passion for plants that I have.
The biggest hurdle we had to overcome this year was the above-average rain. This really made it hard for the plants to want to grow. Everything just sat there until it finally dried out enough to where we could get the plants to take up the nutrients they desperately needed. It was hard to be patient and wait. But we kept an eye on everything, and when the weather turned, the feed was in the ground ready for the plants to use.
My favorite plants:
- Helianthus ‘Sunfinity Double Yellow’ (Syngenta Flowers): This was a flowering powerhouse all summer. Bees took advantage of the abundant flowers. This plant was well branched with sturdy stems that did not fall over and exhibited great disease resistance.
- Dahlia ‘Black Forest Ruby’ (Takii): I love the dark, almost black, foliage with the eye-popping scarlet red flowers on top. This looked great in the landscape all summer.
- Petunia ‘Painted Love’ (Syngenta Flowers): This had a very unique bicolor pattern that was a real head turner. I love the watercolor effect of the magenta/purple and white blooms. This was covered in flowers all summer, never faded, and was full and mounded.
Find more 2024 field trials information here.
