For the flower trials, 21 plant breeders from around the world enter many of their newly bred and existing plant varieties to the trials to be evaluated by Penn State Extension research staff throughout the growing season. Each plant is treated exactly the same during the season and is evaluated regularly, with the collected data published in the fall on a CD and online for use by nursery owners, plant breeders, landscapers and others.
The flower trials team this year included horticulture professor Rob Berghage, Alyssa Collins, Anne Hawk, Carol Lee Shirk, Steve Bogash, John Stepanchak, Jim Bollinger and Thong Le. An army of master gardeners from surrounding counties assists with the work of potting and daily maintenance of the plants.
“It’s been a team effort, and it’s gone very smoothly,” Berghage said of his first year taking over as director since former director Alan Michael retired in December.
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