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Plant Trials

osu_trials Ornamental grasses and petunias Wall of blooming petunias

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

dallas_arboretum_trials

Different varieties are grown side by side for comparison.

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Showing 1 - 20 of 30.
Biltmore Estate
1 Lodge St.
Asheville, NC
Open Daily to the Public, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Visit website for more information on admission and directions.

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.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
3400 Vine St.
Cincinnati, OH
1-800-94-HIPPO
Open Daily to the Public, Times Vary

Visit website for hours and admissions information.

Colorado State University
1401 Remington Street
Fort Collins, CO
970-491-7019
Open Daily to the Public, Dawn to Dusk

Their Public Annual Evaluation day is August 1st, 2026, which is free and open to the public to come and vote for their favorite plants. 

An Industry only Annual Evaluation day is scheduled for Saturday August 4th, 2026, from 9:00am- 1:00pm. Visit website for more event details. 

Dallas Arboretum
8525 Garland Road
Dallas, TX
214-515-6500
Open Daily to the Public, Dawn to Dusk

Their annual Plant Trials Field day being held on June 24th, 2026. For more information and to register visit their Trial Garden Website, linked here.

Ellington Agricultural Center
440 Hogan Rd
Nashville, TN 37220
615-837-5103
Open Daily to the Public, Dawn to Dusk

Trials are located east of the Agricultrual Museum behind the pavilion. 

Iowa State - Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd
Ames, IA
Open Daily to the Public, 9:00am - 5:00pm

Open daily to the public, 9:00 am – 5:00pm* (Butterfly Wing closes at 4:30pm daily).
See website for extended seasonal hours, admission, closures, and directions

Louisiana State University - AgCenter
21549 Old Covington Hwy
Hammond, LA
985-543-4125
Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm

Visit website for virtual tours and virtual field days.

Lucas Greenhouse
325 Rowan Blvd
Glassboro, NJ
856-881-0234
Call Ahead

Please call ahead to make an appointment to view trials July through August or attend their annual Trial Event, held on July 21st and 22nd, 2026. Visit website for more information and to register. 

Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank
900 Washington St (Route 16)
Wellesley, MA
617-933-4900
Open Daily to the Public, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Open Daily April through November. Admission charged. Trial located to the left after entering the garden.

Mississippi State University - Crystal Springs
2024 Experiment Station Road
Crystal Springs, MS
662-325-2110
Open Daily to the Public, Dawn to Dusk
North Carolina State, JC Raulston Arboretum
4415 Beryl Rd
Raleigh, NC
919-515-3132
Open Daily to the Public, 9:00am-4:30pm

Admission is free. Visit their website for more information on upcoming events: https://jcra.ncsu.edu/

Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum - Springfield
2001 Fyffe Court
Springfield, OH
937-408-7900
Open Daily to the Public

Trials are located in Snyder Park Gardens and Arboretum. Admission is free. Visit website for more information on scheduling a guided tour, directions, and parking options.

Oklahoma State University Botanical Gardens
3300 W. 6th Street
Stillwater, OK
405-744-5404
Open Daily to the Public, Dawn to Dusk

Engage the senses, unleash your imagination and wander a trail of discovery at The Botanic Garden, home of the Oklahoma Gardening television show. Enjoy the walking trails and the beautiful display gardens featured on Oklahoma Gardening and explore ways to build a more sustainable living environment.

Penn State University
1446 Auction Road
Manheim, PA
814-865-5419
Open Daily to the Public, Dawn to Dusk

Visitors are welcome free of charge from dawn to dusk June 1st to August 31st.

Trials field day to be held Thursday July 23th, 2026. Visit website for more information and to register.

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

The trial gardens are open July 15th- August 28th, 2026. 

Sawaya Garden Trial
1880 Blueline Rd.
Waterford, ON
519-427-8440

Summer Garden Trial event is July 16, 2026 from 9:00am - 3:00pm. Visit website for more information and to register.

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.

Texas Tech
3340 Main Street
Lubbock, TX
(806) 834-8489
Open Daily to the Public, 7:30am - 4:00pm

The Texas Tech University Gardens and Greenhouse Complex is located on the corner of Hartford and Main St., just north of the United Spirit Arena. Call in advance to schedule a group tour. 

The Oregon Garden
879 W. Main St
Silverton, OR
503-874-4294
Open Daily to the Public, Times vary

Summer hours vary. Monday - Friday open hours are 9:00am - 6:00pm. Saturday and Sunday, hours are 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Admission is charged, visit website for more information.

Showing 1 - 20 of 30.
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