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Plant Trials

Every plant in North America is subject to at least one weather- or critter-related problem. What few gardeners realize, however is that these problems can be avoided by selecting plants that are more suitable for the specific region you live in. That's where trials come in!

Trials are the plant industry's way of measuring how well a particular variety will perform in different parts of the country and evaluating new plant varieties.  There are two kinds of trials:  University field trials which generally consist of beds where each plant is grown in a small plot (called a row trial), and public gardens, where plants are often put in display beds or pots.  Proven Winners sends plant material to both kinds of trials, and also conducts their own trials at test sites across North America.

By visiting a trial in your area, you will be able to see how plants perform in an environment similar to your own.  For instance, if there is a new Verbena that is tolerant to mildew, gardeners in the Midwest and Southeast would like to know about it. And while all Proven Winners varieties perform well in a range of environments, there will always be some that are better suited to certain regions than others.

Use our search function to find trial locations in your area where Proven Winner plants can be viewed and start your journey to a garden that is not only beautiful but also the longest-lasting

Different varieties are grown side by side for comparison.

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Boerner Botanical Garden
9400 Boerner Drive
Hales Corner, WI
414-525-5600
Open Daily to the Public, 8:00am - 7:00pm

Summer hours are from May to September. Visit website for more details on hours and admission fees.

Iowa State - Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd
Ames, IA
Open Daily to the Public, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Open daily from May through September. Visit their website for details on admissions, changes in hours, and directions.

Michigan State University
1066 Bogue St.
East Lansing, MI
(517) 355-5191 ext. 1359
Open Daily to the Public

Limited parking is available in the gardens visitor lot, south of the Plant and Soil Sciences building on Bogue Street and Wilson Road. During university business hours (8:00 am to 6:00 pm) parking tokens are required to exit the lot and are available at the Visitor Booth for $3.00. At other times parking is free.

There is limited access to the Trials November - March.

Raker Garden Trial
10185 Rainey Rd
Litchfield, MI
517-542-4501
Monday - Friday, 9am - 4:00pm

The trial gardens are open July 17th- August 30th, 2024. 

South Dakota State - McCrory Gardens
631 22nd Avenue
Brookings, SD
Saturday & Sunday, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Summer hours are May - October. All trials are in the All American Trial Garden. Visit website for directions, admission, and tour information.

University of Illinois-Champaign County Master Gardeners
South Lincoln Ave
Urbana, IL
Open Daily to the Public

No admission Fee. Guided group tours available periodically.

The Idea Garden is located within University of Illinois Arboretum on south Lincoln Avenue in Urbana, just south of the corner of Florida and Lincoln Avenues.

University of Minnesota - Grand Rapids
1861 E Hwy 169
Grand Rapids, MN
218-327-4490
Open Daily to the Public

Annual Visitors Day Event to be held on July 23, 2024 from 2:00-6:00pm. See event page for more details: https://ncroc.cfans.umn.edu/

University of Minnesota - Morris
46352 State Hwy. #329
Morris, MN
320-589-1711
Open Daily to the Public

Annual Horticulture Night held on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 4:00 -8:00 pm. Visit event page for details: https://wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/events/hort-night

University of Wisconsin
8502 Mineral Point Rd
Verona, WI
608-829-1162
Open Daily to the Public, Dawn to Dusk

Free to the public.

Trials are located behind the extension center building.

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