'Callie Eclipse Raspberry,' 'Elegant Feathers' among standouts at Plantpeddler Variety Day

At this year's event, the Cresco, Iowa-based grower featured almost 1,200 varieties from various breeders.

'Callie Eclipse Raspberry,' a calibrachoa from Syngenta Flowers, was the top-ranked plant at Plantpeddler's 2019 Variety Day.
'Callie Eclipse Raspberry,' a calibrachoa from Syngenta Flowers, was the top-ranked plant at Plantpeddler's 2019 Variety Day.
Photo courtesy of Plantpledder

Cresco, Iowa based grower Plantpeddler held its annual Variety Day, Friday August 2, officially opening the newly expanded trial site. This space represents an investment in grower success by “Testing the Best in the Midwest”.

The event showcased nearly 1,200 varieties of vegetative annuals in large containers, hanging baskets and beds from a global array of breeders. Growers, breeders, brokers, and retailers spent the day evaluating the trial gardens, attending seminars by industry professionals, and touring the greenhouses. Presenters included Jennie Smith of BASF, Dr. Carlos Bogran of OHP, Lisa Heredia representing Danziger, Bart Hayes of Westhoff and Mike Gooder of Plantpeddler. Participants had the opportunity to vote on their top three varieties

RankGenus Variety Breeder
1 Calibrachoa Callie Eclipse Raspberry Syngenta Flowers
2 Eupatorium Elegant Feathers Kientzler
3 Begonia Fragrance Falls Peach Beekenkamp
4 Catharanthus Soiree Double Pink Suntory
5 Lantana Hot Blooded Red Syngenta Flowers
6 Petunia Sanguna Patio Radiant Dark Blue Syngenta Flowers
7 Xerochrysum Bracteantha Granvia Gold Suntory
8 Lantana Bandolero Cherry Sunrise Syngenta Flowers
9 Calibrachoa MiniFamous Uno Double PinkTastic Selecta
10 Pentas Starcluster Violet Syngenta Flowers
11 Osteospermum Zion Purple Sun Selecta
12 Petunia Cascadias Purple Ice Danziger
13 Petunia Crazytunia Raspberry Lemonade Westoff
14 Portulaca Pazazz Tangerine Danziger
15 Phlox Gisele Hot Pink Selecta
16 Salvia Skyscraper Pink Selecta
17 Artemisia FanciFillers Sea Salt Westoff
18 Calibrachoa Lia Dark Red Danziger
19 Petunia Shortcake Blueberry Syngenta Flowers
20 Geranium, ISP Moxie! Hot Pink Syngenta Flowers
21 Geranium, ISP Calliope Large Coral Syngenta Flowers
22 Geranium, ISP Calliope Large Dark Red Syngenta Flowers
23 Verbena Lascar Vampire Selecta
24 Begonia Solenia Yellow Benary+
25 Calibrachoa Candy Shop Fancy Berry Westoff

Plantpeddler's next event is its annual Poinsettia Variety Day on Dec. 5, 2019. Next year's Variety Day, which also will be a 40th anniversary celebration for grower, is scheduled for Aug. 6-8, 2020.