Media Advisory: Judging at Colorado State University’s Trial Gardens

FORT COLLINS – WHAT: Experts will evaluate the performance of annual flowers at Colorado State University’s Annual Flower Trial Gardens.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.

WHERE: Flower Trial Gardens, 1401 Remington St., Fort Collins.

DETAILS: It’s judging day at the Trial Gardens. There will be about 80 evaluators from seed companies, master gardeners, and the gardening industry that will assess the performance of flowers based on vigor, uniformity and tolerance to environmental factors. The outdoor trial garden consists of more than 1,200 varieties of annual bedding plants. About 20 plant and seed companies are participating in this year’s trials at Colorado State University.

Judges tracked the progress, paying close attention to vividness of colors, number of blossoms and heights of the plants. The judges, who included horticulture industry representatives, Colorado State experts and Extension master gardeners, then selected the healthiest and most vibrant of each type of flower.

CONTACT:  For more information or to schedule an interview with Jim Klett, director of Colorado State’s Annual Trial Garden and a professor of horticulture, contact Jim Beers at (970) 491-6401 or Jim.Beers@ColoState.edu

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