Greenhouse Grower Mentions Ball FloraPlant in Ohio State Trials Results

Three varieties from Ball FloraPlant were standout contenders at the Ohio State Trials this year. Congratulations to Monarch Magic Ageratum, PassionFruit Lantana and Guardian Angel™ Angelonia. Photos courtesy of Pamela Bennett from Ohio State University.

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According to Greenhouse Grower Magazine in conjunction with Pamela Bennett, Professor and Extension Educator, Horticulture at The Ohio State University, parts of Ohio experienced a severe drought during the 2024 growing season. This included the areas of their two trial sites, Springfield and the campus. Because of the dry weather, they were able to ascertain which plants performed better under these specific conditions.

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During the last evaluation in September, they found these numbers to likely indicate the plants that do well during droughts. Currently, it is verbena, lantana, alternanthera, gomphrena, scaveola, and angelonia that held up well during the heat. Ageratum also did very well in the heat and impressed the judges.

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“Without a doubt, there is a huge winner in the ageratum market with Ageratum ‘Monarch Magic’ (Ball FloraPlant). This plant was incredible in many ways. It’s a vigorous grower with more of a vining/spreading habit than most ageratums. One plant can get to around 2.5 by 2.5 feet,” said Bennet. “It is loaded with flowers that continually bloom and does not need to be deadheaded to look good. It’s aptly named, as I had four monarchs on one plant at my house and we would have anywhere from 10 to 12 monarchs on the six plants in the trials. It was incredible, and it attracts a diversity of other pollinators.”