Today you don’t need to be a horticultural expert to grow tasty tomatoes, mouthwatering watermelon, or fragrant lilacs.
Advances in breeding over the past decade have resulted in plants that are easier for home gardeners to grow. They are more disease-resistant, weather tolerant, and prolific than ever before.
“These researchers are dedicated to developing varieties that grow well in our various climates and perform better than the varieties from the past. They’re focusing on new plants that can bring more to the garden: more flowers, more fruits, more disease resistance, all in convenient sizes for today’s garden,” says Diane Blazek, executive director at National Garden Bureau (NGB). “Many of NGB’s Year Of plant selections have seen major breeding improvements in the last few years and that’s why we chose them. It’s an exciting time for all gardeners.”
Not Your Grandmother’s Flowers
One such breeding example is verbena.
Years ago, this colorful annual fell out of favor because it was an inconsistent bloomer or was susceptible to diseases like powdery mildew. Annual flower breeders went to work to fix these problems. The results are new, improved varieties that are disease resistant, more heat tolerant, and provide consistent color.
The same breeding updates are true for celosia.
Now you can find celosia to grow from seed but also breeders are working in vegetatively propagated varieties. Both are being bred for larger, more vivid flowers that withstand extreme weather conditions and will vigorously bloom all season long.
“We chose verbena as our 2022 Year Of Annual and celosia as our 2023 Year of Annual, because of all of these improvements with both varieties,” says Blazek. “Breeding advancements have made both much easier to grow, and they’re a great way to add seasonlong color to the garden.”
Perennial Phlox and Rudbeckia have a similar story.
These native perennials were chosen as the Year of crops (perennials) because older varieties were susceptible to disease, lodging, and other maladies. New breeding work is focused on creating stronger stems to keep the beautiful blooms upright. Plus, the newer varieties are more disease resistant, offer more color variations, and are easier to grow.
Small Space Fruits and Veggies
Have you stayed away from planting edibles because you have a small space, or even just a patio or balcony?
Well, you can’t use that excuse any longer! Breeders have developed many edible varieties to use in small gardens or containers, including tomatoes, peppers, raspberries, squash, and watermelons. There are container-friendly tomato plants that are high yielding and produce fruits multiple times during the season. The same goes for berries. Compact blueberries, raspberries, and even blackberries can have you snacking right from your patio.
Breeders are making breakthrough improvements in Salad Greens too. You’ll find tastier varieties that stay compact in the garden and are more heat tolerant and less likely to bolt
Super Shrubs
In flowering shrubs, there are many examples of improvements by breeders.
Lilac breeding, for example, has developed problem solving varieties. These new varieties stay more compact in the landscape, are more resistant to disease, and can even rebloom later in the season. Now, these nostalgic and classic shrubs are perfectly suited for today’s gardens.
The beloved American favorite, hydrangea, continues to improve for use in your landscape. Breeders are working on larger flowers with stronger stems, more vibrant colors, more compact varieties for smaller spaces, or even containers, and of course, disease resistance and weather tolerance.
Buddleia (butterfly bush) are also making a comeback as breeders introduce sterile varieties. These new varieties are well-suited for those areas that have banned them for being invasive.
Even grandma’s beloved and hardy spirea is getting updated to be more compact with a wider range of bloom colors.
Breeders have listened to the trials and tribulations of gardeners and have responded with improved plants. This will make for more successful gardening.
You might be surprised at how much easier gardening has become.
About National Garden Bureau
Founded more than 100 years ago, the National Garden Bureau educates, inspires, and motivates people to grow home gardens. National Garden Bureau members are horticultural experts, and the information shared with you comes directly from these experts to ensure your gardening success.
“This post is provided as an educational/inspirational service of the National Garden Bureau and our members. Please credit and link to National Garden Bureau and author member when using all or parts of this article.”
