TRIAL PROGRAM IMPACT
Impact to Central Iowa Gardens:
In this research area, this ornamental trial compiles and evaluates plant performance in the climate of Central Iowa. The data collected on these plants serves several purposes.
The first is to provide the plant breeder or company introducing the plant information about the plant’s performance in this region. That information can then be used to influence and drive future breeding and selection efforts.
Second, this data can be used by local nurseries and retail operations to make informed decisions about plants to offer to the public. A regional trial garden gives the local industry the chance to see how these plants perform in the area before they choose to sell them.
Third, this data can inform the public about plants they should be selecting for perennial landscapes in Iowa. The operation of a trial garden like this directly promotes the responsible introduction, cultivation and distribution of new plants that have ornamental horticultural value. This program is used to recommend plant selections for gardeners to be more successful in their own gardens. Plants that perform successfully in the trial are shared during speaking engagements by staff, during plant walks and short courses, and through press releases to trade publications, our newsletter, and recommendations to Iowa State Extension. The trial garden as a whole is used to teach plant identification to guests, volunteers, and local horticulture students. The trial also serves as a library for guests to observe seasonal interest, from foliage color emerging in spring to bloom time and color, fall color, and even winter interest.
Fourth, gardeners can also observe how trial plants are managed to be better informed on species-specific garden best practices. A trial garden also helps influence plant offerings at nurseries and retail garden centers by taking the guesswork out of what plants will survive in the Central Iowa climate. By inviting our industry to participate in the trial process, they can see the long-term survival and success of the new plants being offered by suppliers and make ordering decisions based on a variety’s performance. Likewise, providing a consumer evaluation day gives insight into what plants consumers in this state want.
Finally, this garden is used in educational programming, teaching the public about topics ranging from garden management, plant identification, weed management, pruning, and designing for multiple seasons of interest. Staff use the data, photographs, and physical garden as a tool to teach these topics as an informal outdoor classroom. As the plants are managed, staff explain and demonstrate best practices while using the garden as a library of plants to use in the Central Iowan landscape.
Return to Trial Program Main Page