Annual flower trials are hosted at the North Central Research and Outreach Center. This research is an extension of the flower trials occurring at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN. Companies such as All-America Selections, Proven Winners, Syngenta, and many others trial their flower varieties here at the NCROC in the field, in hanging baskets, and containers. During flower evaluations we grade the plants based on criteria such as color, uniformity, uniqueness, plant health, hardiness in zone 3, and insect/disease resistance.
Top 10 Annual Flowers
Salvia, Rockin'® Deep Purple 2023 This favorite has a large presence that can stand alone or provide a dramatic backdrop in the garden. The thick foliage and abundant purple flowers were also popular with local hummingbirds and other pollinators. |
Dianthus interspecific, Chiba™ Improved Auricula Mix Consider this variety to spice up your garden borders or containers. These plants pack a punch of high-density color and are easily maintained. |
Celosia, Asian Garden For the second year in a row, this pink-flowered Celosia has been a favorite of garden evaluators and pollinators alike. Its full and vigorous growth provided a long-lasting display well into fall. |
Sunflower, Concert Bell Small but mighty, this sunflower variety has bouquet-sized flowers and is a prolific bloomer over a 2–3-week period. The sturdy 4-foot stems held up to windy days easily. |
Petunia x hybrida, SuperCal® Premium Sunset Orange A gradient of oranges and yellows gives these petunias depth. The plants filled in quickly and provided a mass of flowers all summer long. |
Tradescantia, Proven Accents® Purple Queen If you like purple, this is a variety you don’t want to miss! Its uniquely shaped foliage is eye-catching on its own, and given time, the little pink flowers are charming. |
Verbena, Vanity This Verbena stood out in both the garden bed and large container. The tall stems were topped with clusters of vivid purple flowers that butterflies liked to gather around |
Coleus, Premium Sun Ruby Heart An annual chosen for its striking foliage of rich burgundy and chartreuse. The Coleus’s toothed leaf margins give this plant a fun ruffled look. Partial shade produces the best color for these plants. |
Celosia plumosa, Arrabona Red - Bronze Leaf These annuals had a striking red flower paired with dark burgundy and green foliage. They presented an impressive display when planted in groups in the garden. |
. Osteospermum, Bright Lights® Sunset The pretty flowers with multi-hued peach and purple colors were offset by a dense growth of bright green foliage. These daisies provided the garden with great color and were low maintenance. |