C. Raker and Sons10371 Rainey Rd. |
Contact : Deb Eichler to RSVP |
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Garden Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Weekend visits by appointment only. Trials are open from July 18 – August 31, 2012.
The Raker Trial Gardens are the Midwest destination for a complete floricultural exhibit and comparison trial experience. The Gardens were created to serve as an industry information resource. With a focus on education, we create and maintain over four acres of colorful floral displays that offer visitors a unique learning opportunity.
Highlights:
• Color Options for Shade. This year we are featuring a comprehensive display of color options for shade. View both flowering and non-flowering varieties in a row comparison setting. This area will feature: Abutilon, Begonias, Coleus, Cyclamen, Hypoestes, Lobelia, Salvia splendens, Torenia, and New Guinea Impatiens.
• Annual Row Comparison Trials. This is an exceptional opportunity to view over 600 rows of annuals and perennials in a true, side-by-side comparison format. This season we offer Agastache, Ageratum, Cuphea, Euphorbia (annual), Nicotiana, Ornamental Peppers, Torenia, Vinca, and Zinnia.
• Breeder Beds. Raker is proud to feature raised brick beds supported and designed by breeders across the globe. Our participants in 2012 include: American Takii, Athena Brazil, Ball Horticulture, Benary, Darwin Perennials, Ecke Ranch, Grimes, HMA, Hort Couture, Jelitto, Kieft , Pan American, Sakata, Selecta, Syngenta Horticultural Services and Syngenta Flowers. Additional Row and New Variety sponsors include: Amerinova, Bartels Stek, Beekenkamp, Danziger, Fides Oro, Floranova, Gerbera Factory, Harris Seed, Hem Genetics, Kieft, Plant Haven, Selecta, Suntory, Syngenta Flowers, and Terra Nova.
• 14" Hanging Basket Trial. The 2012 Basket Trials feature over 250 varieties of vegetative Verbena. This is one of the most comprehensive trials of this genera ever conducted. Bacopa and Scaevola will also be featured.
• New Variety Hanging Baskets. This year, we’ll have over 80 new varieties displayed in 14” hanging baskets. This display is adjacent to the New Variety Steppes.
• New Variety Steppes. Our popular brick and stone display area features 265 20" patio pots dedicated to new 2012 New Variety introductions for both sun and shade.
• All-America Selections (AAS) Trial Ground and Display Gardens. Raker is one of 47 locations across North America where potential new annual introductions are tested. Check out what new plants are under evaluation this year. See the last 5 years of winners in both of our AAS Vegetable and AAS Flower Display Gardens.
• Facility Tours. Spend an hour inside to see how we operate - from sticking and sowing to boxing and shipping. Sign up when you arrive for a morning or afternoon tour.
• Lunch Daily from 11:30am - 1:00 pm. The grill will be fired up during the Michigan Garden Plant Tour for refreshments compliments of The Blackmore Company.