Breeder Showcase at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Matthew Chappell

Eason Horticultural Resources (EHR) and the Cincinnati Zoo have announced an interesting partnership that is sure to be welcome news for plant geeks out there.

As the zoo completes a large expansion to their plant trials, EHR has the pleasure of working alongside breeders and industry growers to fill the space with a diverse range of the latest plant genetics. There will be over 500 of the newest varieties on display from many breeders and well over 50,000 plants being grown for the trials. In total, this is being supported by over 25 companies that have helped to get the plants to the zoo for trialing.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden horticultural staff and volunteers have conducted plant trials throughout the gardens in the zoo for years, and more recently at the nearby Urban Learning Garden at Rockdale Academy. In conjunction with the debut of the first Breeder Showcase Day, a new trial garden will debut on the perimeter of the grounds. Trials include annuals, grasses and perennials in accordance with regimented protocols. Such trials enable the zoo to develop useful data for gardeners, other public gardens, plant producers and others in the green
community.

The Breeder Showcase Day will take place August 30, 2023, and presents the opportunity to walk the trials and see how a variety of plants from various breeders performed over the summer. The gardens are open all season long.

If you’d like more information about the Breeder Showcase Day, reach out to marketing@ehrnet.com. GT