Welcome!

Raker-Roberta's Young Plant Trial Gardens are closed for the year, please stop out and see us in July!   

Stop out to see the newest varieties, top performers, and most unique plants the horticulture industry offers.

OPEN: July 15, 2026 - August 28th, 2026, Monday - Friday, 9am - 4:00pm 
CONTACT:  Emily Wildt, Director of Trials, (517) 542-4501

Raker Trial Gardens Raker Trial Gardens Raker Trial Gardens Raker Trial Gardens Raker Trial Gardens Raker Trial Gardens Raker Trial Gardens
2026 RRTG HIGHLIGHTS:

We will be hosting our big annual summer event, The Connection!

Join us on July 30th for a day filled with Music, Food, Friends and of course, Flowers! Industry experts will be on hand to talk about the latest and greatest offerings. Be sure to make time to visit.

2026 Trial Garden Features


Sun Comparison Rows

Our 2026 sun trials highlight a diverse lineup of annuals, perennials, and specialty crops. Visitors will see side-by-side performance comparisons of:

  • Osteospermum

  • Dianthus

  • Hot Pepper (National Garden Bureau’s 2026 “Year of”)

  • Sedum (National Garden Bureau’s 2026 “Year of”)

  • Gomphrena

  • Mixed Perennial Assortments

  • Begonia (Fibrous)

  • Begonia (Interspecific)

These rows are designed to showcase vigor, flowering performance, color retention, and landscape durability under full-sun conditions.

Shade Comparison Rows

Our shade-focused trials for 2026 feature:

  • Impatiens wallerana (National Garden Bureau’s 2026 “Year of”)

This comparison highlights advancements in disease resistance, flower coverage, and shade garden performance.

Hanging Basket Trials

The 2026 hanging basket program brings expanded comparative displays of:

  • Lantana

  • Red, White & Blue Mixes

  • Triple-Stuck Combos

These trials emphasize habit, color balance, season-long performance, and retail appeal.

Cut Flower Trials

In 2026, our cut-flower research focuses on Lisianthus performance in varying light conditions.
We will be comparing shade vs. non-shade production to evaluate differences in:

  • Stem length

  • Uniformity

  • Overall cut quality

This study aims to provide growers with clear guidance on light management for premium stems.

Overwintering Perennial Comparisons

Our overwintering perennial trials continue to evaluate cold hardiness, spring emergence, and long-term landscape performance. The 2026 lineup includes:

  • Lupine

  • Monarda

  • Kniphofia

  • Gaillardia

  • Liatris

These multi-season evaluations help identify reliable, high-performing perennial genetics for northern climates. 

2025 RRTG HIGHLIGHTS:

 We trialed over 3,100 varieties at Raker-Roberta’s. This year in our sun comparisons, we featured, Lantana, Pentas, Vinca, Coleus, New Guinea Impatiens, Marigold erecta, Pot and Patio Vegetables and Tried and True. In our shaded area we had Coleus. 


Top Rated Varieties by visitors

    Rudbeckia Suntacular from Darwin Perennials
    Dahlia Labella Grande Chocolate Apricot from Beekenkamp
    Coleus Premium Sun Sweet Paprika from PanAmerican
    Petunia Surfinia Heavenly Cashmere Pink from Suntory



The biggest hurtle we had to overcome this year, was the above average heat temps for June and July. Plants that handle heat did extremely well. We picked the perfect year to compare Lantana, Pentas, and Vinca. 

You can find photos and performance data on all of these and everything in our trials on our Trial Data Page.

DOWNLOADS: