Lavender Filled the Air at Darwin Perennials Day 2026
Despite rainy skies and intermittent June showers, growers from across North America gathered for Darwin Perennial Days 2026. It was a day to discover new perennial varieties, connect with industry experts and gain valuable production insights for future growing seasons.
The event transformed a damp week into an exciting opportunity for greenhouse perennial growers, nursery professionals and garden center partners to evaluate innovative genetics and explore the latest developments in perennial breeding.
Lavender Varieties Steal the Spotlight
A highlight of this year's event was the stunning Lavender Lifestyle Display, where visitors were welcomed by the unmistakable fragrance and beauty of lavender in full bloom. Growers explored several standout lavender varieties, including:
- Lavender SuperBlue from the Better Versions collection
- Lavender Butterfly Garden™ Poppin' Pink and Plum Perfect (the newest addition to the series)
- Lavender Primavera
- Lavender Anouk
The display demonstrated the growing consumer appeal of lavender as both a landscape and container crop, offering growers inspiration for retail programs and production planning.
Better Versions Highlights Improved Garden Performance
The entrance display featured several top-performing selections from the Better Versions program, showcasing genetics chosen for improved habit, bloom performance and overall garden success. Featured varieties included:
- Nepeta Junior Walker™
- Salvia Blue by You
- Lavender SuperBlue
- Echinacea Sombrero®
These varieties provide growers with dependable perennial options that offer strong greenhouse performance and exceptional landscape appeal.
New Perennial Introductions Capture Grower Interest
The New Variety Showcase generated significant excitement among attendees searching for the next generation of high-impact perennials. Among the featured introductions were the new Grasses:
- Dream Catcher® Grass Designed to deliver exceptional texture and movement in the landscape, these ornamental grasses attracted attention for their versatility and garden performance.
- Free Spirit® Grass Another exciting addition to the ornamental grass category, Free Spirit varieties offer growers fresh options for landscape programs and mixed perennial combinations.
- DayScape™ Daylilies Visitors also explored the latest additions to the DayScape collection, featuring daylilies selected for strong flowering performance, durability and garden appeal.
Meanwhile, the Spring Showcase featured Phlox Candy Cloud™ with an impressive floral display and eye-catching color. Additional new perennial introductions creating buzz among growers included: Heuchera Everglow Midnight, Echinacea Sombrero Poco™ Hot Pink Improved, Sedum Lemon Sparkle, and Veronica Misty Blues.
Each variety demonstrated traits that can help growers enhance perennial programs while meeting consumer demand for unique color, improved performance, and reliable garden success.
Expert Education for Perennial Flower Growers
Darwin Perennial Days isn't just about new plants — it's also about helping growers succeed. Attendees participated in a series of educational Tent Talks led by respected horticulture experts. Richard Hawke, Director of Plant Evaluation and Introduction at the Chicago Botanic Garden, shared insights from extensive perennial plant trials and discussed top-performing varieties that consistently excel in garden settings. Dave Dowling, Ball Seed Cut Flower Specialist, presented valuable information about expanding opportunities in the cut flower market, including crop selection and production considerations.
A well-attended session from Chris Fifo, Nathan Janke, and Hans Stoker focused on Echinacea production best practices, providing practical guidance for spring, summer, and fall growing cycles. The presentation covered key production techniques that help growers maximize quality and improve crop timing throughout the season.
Thank You for Making Darwin Perennial Days 2026 a Success
While the weather may have been challenging, the enthusiasm of attendees never wavered. Growers, breeders, customers and industry partners embraced the opportunity to connect, learn and discover what's next in perennial horticulture. Darwin Perennial Days continues to serve as a premier destination for evaluating new perennial varieties, exploring innovative breeding advancements and gaining practical production knowledge.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make Darwin Perennial Days 2026 a tremendous success. We look forward to welcoming growers back next year for even more perennial inspiration, educational opportunities and exciting new plant introductions no matter what the weather may bring!