Approximately 95 professional and advanced Master Gardeners rated over 1,150 flowering and foliage plants over the week of August 3-8, 2020 as part of the Colorado State University (CSU) Annual Trials. Not able to have an official ‘evaluation day’ due to COVID-19 restrictions for large public gatherings at the university, plants were rated by professionals over the span of several days, which allowed individuals to participate in a safe, socially distanced manner.

The garden is planned and maintained each year by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture with guidance from a committee of growers, flower seed companies, and public garden horticulturists.

For more information on these and other outstanding annuals from 2020 trials visit www.flowertrials.colostate.edu. [Photos courtesy of CSU.]

Bracteantha Granvia Gold from Suntory Flowers | Full sun, useful in containers, requires moisture
This Bracteantha had many bright yellow flowers on upright stems. Foliage was a good green, abundant and over-spilling.

This plant buries its dead well. No deadheading is required. It provides excellent cut flowers—fresh or as dry flower.

Coleus Main Street Beale Street from Dümmen Orange | Full sun, useful in containers, requires moisture
A vigorous grower with dark red foliage, the plant grew tall and performed well, both in-ground and in containers. Plants looked healthy all season.

Its great foliage and taller size make it a good choice for patio containers.

Dahlia Lubega Dark Velvet from Benary Plus | Full sun, useful in containers, requires moisture
Flowers are a darker pink against dark purple foliage, which complements flower color well. The plant was a vigorous grower but very uniform in habit.

This single-bloom flowers attract bees and other pollinators.

Marigold Marvel II™ Gold African from PanAmerican Seed | Full sun, useful in containers, xeric
Plants looked perfect overall. This unique marigold was tall with bright gold, ruffled flowers. There are so many blooms that one hardly sees any foliage.

The plants performed well in both the ground and in containers. Plant it to fill a container to the max.

This article is excerpted from an article that appeared in the November/December issue of Colorado Green magazine

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Final chance to advertise in the Colorado Green EXPO issue ends Nov 17th
Compliance reminder: Equal Pay for Equal Work Act 
Colorado Springs Utilities honored for landscape industry partnerships
Northern Water received 2020 WaterSense Award