MANNHEIM, Pa. — Flowers planted at Penn State's Flower Trials this year were hit with extreme heat and a little rain.
The plants were potted up in May and although we haven't had ideal weather conditions since then, many of the plants have still been well received.
Crystal Snyder, a horticultural extension educator who runs the flower trials, explained the rating system to a large audience gathered at a field day held July 25 at the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Horticultural Extension Educator Crystal Snyder will host a guided tour of the 2024 Penn State Flower Trials on July 25, 2024 in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Speicher | Staff
Pots are rated based on uniformity, flowers, overall growth and foliage. If a pot scores highly in each category it is given a 5-star rating.
Snyder will evaluate the flowers in early July, then again in early August, with a final evaluation in early September.
Although the heat is not necessarily good for plants, the number of days it took for the flowers to bloom has come 10 days earlier than last year.
“It's very hot,” Snyder said.
Among the plants that struggle with the hot summer days are lobelia, dianthus and verbena.
But all hope is not lost for these plants, as Snyder believes they should regrow come fall.
Tecoma is a plant that tolerates the heat very well, growing extremely well and flowering all summer long.
Tecoma performed well in the heat at the Penn State Flower Trials in Manheim, Pennsylvania on July 25, 2024.
Stephanie Speicher | Staff
“I think they like the hot, dry atmosphere, almost like living in an air fryer,” Snyder says.
Snyder said she won't know what types of plants she'll get at the flower trials until they arrive.
Only one Pentas is in trials, but it's showing good results, Snyder said.
One plant that was clearly seen in many pots during testing was the geranium.
“I don't know why I have so many geraniums,” Snyder said. “Two years ago I had five. This year I have 39.”
Many geraniums are in bloom at the Penn State Flower Trials, photographed on July 25, 2024 in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Speicher | Staff
Geraniums were plentiful in the trial, but the flower is falling out of favor with consumers, especially millennials who want low-maintenance plants.
“Homeowners don't like their plants being deflowered,” Snyder said.
Another fruitful plant being tested is Angelonia, and both are growing well.
“2024 is the year of Angelonia,” Snyder said.
Angelonias are this year's popular plants at the 2024 Penn State Flower Trials in Manheim, Pennsylvania, on July 25.
Stephanie Speicher | Staff
Begonias are also one of the popular flowers at the trial, with around 70 varieties planted in pots.
If vibrant color is high on your list of priorities, Snyder said many of the salvias, especially the blue varieties, are very vibrant.
In terms of bright colours, celosia is another good choice.
“If you're looking for a big burst of color, consider these,” Snyder said.
Celosia is a good choice for adding bright color, photographed here at the Penn State Flower Trials on July 25, 2024 in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Speicher | Staff
Snyder has also experimented with many pot and basket combinations and has been pleased with the results regardless of the container.
“With combos, one thing tends to dominate, but these are all very uniform and work well together,” Snyder said.
Combination pots at the Penn State Flower Trials on July 25, 2024 in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Speicher | Staff
Annuals make up the majority of the flower trials, but there are also some perennials.
Snyder said hellebore is a popular perennial plant right now.
One of Snyder's favorite perennials is echinacea, which has great color and has performed well throughout the three-year perennial trial period.
Echinacea is a perennial plant that has performed well at the Penn State Flower Trials, shown here at the field day held on July 25, 2024 in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Speicher | Staff
“If you can get through three winters here, it's a really good option,” Snyder said.
Flower trial results will be updated on Penn State's Flower Trials website.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm your addition to the list.
Error! An error occurred while processing your request.
