New Annual Varieties from Cultivate '25 and Penn State Trials

 July was a busy month, ordering varieties of plants for our farm to grow next year and connecting with our other growers.

Our team at Cultivate: Tim, Carrie, Jen, and John

Cultivate '25 is an international trade show and educational event held in Columbus, Ohio. Valley View Farms sent four key people: John, our grower, Tim, our GM, Jen, buyer for seeds, herbs, and annuals, and me. We met several times during the event, then went our separate ways according to our interests. Important to all four of us was the New Plants Showcase and the companies that breed and produce many of them.

Leave a comment about any plants that you find particularly interesting. 

Many new houseplants are entering the market as interest remains for this group of plants

Perennial flowering and foliage plants 

New introductions from Hilverda

Ball FloraPlant is a primary supplier for our greenhouse

Plants Nouveau brings many plants to market, including Hydrangeas

Terra Nova is a source for our perennial growers

AAS tests varieties in nationwide trials

After 3 days at Cultivate and hundreds of photos later, we head to Penn State's Annual Field Trials in Landisville to compare the many new plants in 'real world' conditions of weather. John went a week ahead of us. We came back with the same conclusions about the plants we were judging. You'll see some of these and more in 2026!

Yelena and Leah joined me in evaluating the flower trial

Looking for combinations to grow in our larger pots

Many Sunbeckias were trialed. We've sold them this summer.

Many, many coleus varieties looked beautiful! 

Ageratum Monarch Magic lives up to its name.

New colors of Vnca were on display.

We love the ruffled petals of this vinca.

A look across the trial field. 

Amazing tropical colors!

Lots of Calibrachoa and Petunias!

Nice summer combo

New colors of popular Sunpatiens

Impatiens and begonias are grown in shade and sun for comparison. Most did equally well.

Our job isn't finished yet. John will work to find the plants we have asked for from growers, marketers, and breeders and schedule them for growing in 2026. 

 We would love your feedback on what you are looking for in next year's garden for containers and color.