Plant trials benefit breeders, growers alike

Added on 02 May 2024

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Plant trials benefit breeders, growers alike

Angela Treadwell-Palmer, left, and Linda Guy of Plants Nouveau walk through their trial gardens in the Netherlands. Photo: Plants Nouveau

Two varieties of Salvia at California Spring Trials (CAST) may have taken quite different paths to get there, and getting there means they were the best of the best. Thousands of plants don’t make the cut for reasons from marketing to just being fussy to grow.

We caught up with some folks to discuss the process and how breeders work with growers to test new varieties. The methods vary, and the organizations range from boutiques to nonprofits to market movers, but the ending of the story is the same: it has to be a good plant.