2026 Penn State Flower Trials Field Day

We attended the Penn State Flower Trials Field Day on July 23 in Manhiem, PA

Every year the Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences participates in flower trials at the Southeast Agriculutral Research and Extension Center in Manheim, PA. Here, they grow a variety of vendors' new products to evaluate the plants during the growing season. Vendors will do this at several locations to test their products in different growing zones. Eachyear, the Penn State Flower Trials host a Field Day to allow visiotrs a detailed tour of the flowers, visual evaluation survey, and educational seminars for garden industry professionals. 

This year's Field Day was July 23 and we were happy would could attend again. Among the rows and rows of trialed flowers, we could judge which varieties were doing excellent in our 7B growing zone. This can be really important to us because we grow almost exclusively outdoors, so if a variety is thriving at the Flower Trials it is a good indication of success for our customers as well.  

It was a beautiful, sunny day and only low 80s temperature so we spent several hours listening to the tour, talking with vendors, and of course taking a lot of photos. The event provides great inspiration and supplier lists for the next year's growing season. It really is a good way to spend a few hours and then head to a local farmer's market on the way home. 

The Flower Trials are open to visitors FOR FREE until August 31. We highly recommend if you're in the Lancaster area, to pop over for a few sunny hours amost goregous flowers. Visit their website to learn more  https://agsci.psu.edu/flower-trials or check out their instagram @pennstateflowertrial