Best of the Best: Top Plant Performers

Get geared up for spring and check out these top plant performers at the 2014 MSU Annual Trials!

Each year since 1977, the Michigan State University Horticulture Demonstration Gardens evaluates hundreds of new annuals grown from seed or cuttings. Trial selections are supplied by 22 private breeding companies and the plants are grown in MSU greenhouses and transplanted into either ground beds or containers after the last frost has passed, which is late May or early June.

Approximately 46 plants had an average rating of 5.0 for the entire 2014 season.  Here are the top:

Calibrachoa Conga Blush – Ball FloraPlant

Angelonia Archangel Dark Rose – Ball FloraPlant

Basil Try Basil – PanAmerican

Begonia Mistral Red – Selecta

Bracteantha Cottage Bronze – Westhoff

Caladium Artful™ Fire and Ice – Proven Winners

Calibrachoa Aloha Kona Hula Orange – RED FOX

Calibrachoa Celebration® Banana – Westhoff

Calibrachoa Celebration® White Imp. 355 – Westhoff

Cleome Senorita Rosalita – Proven Winners

Coleus Kong Lime Sprite – PanAmerican

Coleus Marquee Blonde Bombshell – Burpee Home Gardens

Coleus Marquee Box Office Bronze – Burpee Home Gardens

Diascia Sundiascia ™ Upright Blush White – Suntory

Impatiens Big Bounce Cherry – Selecta

Impatiens Bounce Pink Flame – Selecta

Lantana Little Lucky Orange – Ball FloraPlant

Lantana Lucky Lavender – Ball FloraPlant

Lobelia Waterfall Purple – Ball FloraPlant

Lobularia Dark Knight – Proven Winners

Marigold Durango Tangerine – PanAmerican

Marigold Durango Yellow – PanAmerican

Pennisetum Graceful Grasses® Sky Rocket’ – Proven Winners

Petunia Bingo®/Perfectunia® Magma Red – Westhoff

Petunia Bingo®/Perfectunia® White – Westhoff

Petunia Crazytunia® Knight Rider impr. – Westhoff

Petunia Damask Violet – Syngenta

Petunia Easy Wave Berry Velour – PanAmerican

Petunia Easy Wave Burgundy Velour – PanAmerican

Petunia Flash Mob Pinkceptional – Ball FloraPlant

Petunia Happytoonia Blue – PAC-Elsner

Petunia Peppy Lavender – RED FOX

Petunia Picobella Cascade Lavender – Syngenta

Petunia Picobella Cascade Red – Syngenta

Petunia Success! Red – Benary

Petunia Success! Rose – Benary

Petunia Success! Violet – Benary

Petunia Success! White – Benary

Petunia Supertunia® Morning Glory – Proven Winners

Portulaca RioGrande Magenta – Ball FloraPlant

Portulaca RioGrande Orange – Ball FloraPlant

Portulaca RioGrande Yellow – Ball FloraPlant

SimplyHerbs Curled Parsley – PanAmerican

SimplyHerbs Oregano – PanAmerican

Verbena Estrella UP Pink Ballet – Westhoff

Verbena Voodoo TR Pink Star – Westhoff

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