The 2011 Michigan garden plant tour

Erik Runkle<runkleer@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Horticulture -

Greenhouse growers, landscapers, nurserymen and women, and garden center operators are invited to visit leading young plant growers and the MSU Gardens from August 1-12.

For the eighth consecutive year, commercial growers, retailers and landscapers of ornamental plants are invited to participate in the Michigan Garden Plant Tour August 1-12. During this coordinated open house, you can visit six leading producers of herbaceous and woody young plants in Michigan, plus the MSU Gardens, to learn about recent and brand-new plant introductions. Expect to see impressive displays of flowering material, including most of the commercial brands of annuals, perennials and shrubs. This is a terrific way to observe plant performance in the ground and in containers throughout Michigan.

In addition to the MSU Gardens, the participating companies are C. Raker and Sons, Four Star Greenhouse, Mast Young Plants, Pell Greenhouses, Spring Meadow Nursery, and Walters Gardens. The Michigan Garden Plant Tour is free, but the companies would appreciate a call ahead to know you'll be coming. For more information on the tour, visit http://planttour.hrt.msu.edu.

Display gardens
Display gardens.

You are also welcome to join us for the MSU Plant Trial Field Day to be held on August 9. This is probably the best opportunity to visit the MSU Trial Gardens to learn about and evaluate a wide range of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and native plants. In addition to walking through the trial gardens, hear presentations from Art Cameron, MSU Gardens Director, and Katie McCarver, MSU Trials Manager, about top-performing plants this summer.

Representatives from many of the major breeding companies, including Ball Horticulture, Benary, Danziger, Dummen, Floranova, Paul Ecke Ranch, Plug Connection, Proven Winners, Sakata, and Takii, will also highlight some of their favorite new introductions and proven performers. Registration is required for this event. For more information on the tour, visit http://planttour.hrt.msu.edu/fieldday.

MSU Plant Trial Field Day
2010 MSU Plant Trial Field Day

Dr. Runkle’s work is funded in part by MSU’s AgBioResearch.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • floriculture,
  • home gardening,
  • landscaping,
  • msu extension,
  • nursery & christmas trees,
  • turf
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).