2026 Variety Day Recap: Top 25 and Video

Posted: August 20, 2026

Plantpeddler hosted Variety Day 2026 on Friday, August 7; a day focused on the goal of “Testing the Best in the Midwest”. Again, a nearly perfect Northeast Iowa weather day greeted the attendees. The event highlighted over 1,500 varieties of vegetative annuals in large containers, hanging baskets, and beds from a global array of breeders, in a vivid display of garden color. Near record attendance included breeders, sponsors, brokers, growers, garden center managers, and industry professionals. Here is a link to a video recap of Variety Day 2026: Variety Day Video Recap

Thursday night’s “Feast at the Farm” kicked off the event, providing early arriving attendees an evening to enjoy comradery, networking, BBQ spread which, of course, featured Iowa sweet corn, along with a performance by the band Incognito.

Along with the activities in the Trial Gardens, supporting sponsors hosted a trade show during the Variety Day event. A full slate of presentations on the main stage began with Lisa Heredia representing Danziger, followed by the infamous Dr. Raymond Cloyd of Kansas State University speaking on Broad Mites. The third presentation of the day was Caleb Wilson of Syngenta Professional Solutions, with the wrap up provided by Morgan Terry and Rick Vulgamott of Smurfit Westrock.

At Variety Day, participants had the opportunity to vote for their favorite three varieties. In a competition dominated by the top three vote getters, Begonia Waterfall Encanto Pink came out on top which part of the 2027 Plantpeddler Begonia program. This year’s Top 25 was a diverse genetic blend with overall domination by hanging baskets selections (19). Calibrachoa had the highest number of winners at seven, or maybe seven and a half counting a Petchoa! MultiLiners also had a good year, with several in the top 25.

We greatly appreciate all the breeders for submitting genetics, supporting vendor partner sponsors, the team at Plantpeddler for all their efforts and hosting, and especially everyone who attended.

Mark your calendar: Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day 2026 is on December 3rd. Plantpeddler Variety Day 2027 is Friday, August 6th. Please make plans to attend. For more information, images, variety submittal, and sponsorship opportunities for this or other Plantpeddler events, please contact us at stacyb@plantpeddler.com.

Thank You from the Team at Plantpeddler.

Attendees Enjoy Perfect Weather At Plantpeddler Variety Day 2026

 

Plantpeddler Variety Day Aerial Image

 

The Plantpeddler Team On Variety Day Morning.

 

Click here for the PDF of the Top 25

    Plantpeddler Inc. Variety Day Trial Results

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    Variety Day Top 25 Voted by You