The Perennial Plant Association is an organization open to professionals, Master Gardener volunteers, and gardeners who are interested in learning more about and furthering the use of perennials in the landscape.
There is a great deal of breeding and new perennials coming down the pipeline. One of the programs that I enjoyed most but left me with the greatest frustration was the New Plant Forum. Breeders, growers, propagators, and others around the world each presented two or three of their newest introductions.
It was really exciting to see some of the really cool plants coming out soon.
It was really frustrating to learn about all of these really cool plants coming out soon. Today’s breeding practices and new technology has led to hundreds of new plant introductions; too many, in fact, for gardeners to even try to keep up with and to determine which to grow.
While at the Symposium, I ran into Jo Ann Little, the Perennial Manager and Buyer at Knollwood Garden Center in Beavercreek. We had a great discussion about the value and importance of trials and testing these plants before they are brought to market.
Jo Ann firmly believes that testing and trialing plants before pushing them into the marketplace is critical. She wants her customers to be satisfied and very successful with the plants they purchase from her.
She takes it personally when a beautiful blooming plant shows up at Knollwood, followed by all kinds of media hype and marketing, and then fails in your garden. Most garden center employees who care about your gardening success feel the same way.
Sometimes money is thrown into the marketing of plants before they are truly tested in your garden. I have seen some plants really hyped by companies and the media only to fail after one or two years in the garden.
To me, trialing or testing is the most important step. I love to tell people about really great plants but I will only do so once I have seen their performance in this area.
It was encouraging to hear more and more growers and breeders talking about trialing plants for a few years before sending them off to your gardens.
My research right now primarily focuses on annual plants (trials and testing); however, I am branching out (no pun intended!) and beginning to incorporate perennials in the trials.
I am really excited that I will be able share with you some of the latest and greatest perennial plants for your garden; watch for more information in the future.
A good friend of mine says this about perennials: “Before you spend a lot of money on that expensive, new perennial, let your neighbor buy it and see how it does. If it survives and looks good the next year, buy it!”
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