08-01-22 — Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ was the visitors’ favorite at the Aris Trial Garden for 2023. Aris Horticulture, Inc., is a major supplier of plugs to the ornamental plant industry. Many of the visitors who toured the garden during the voting were part of the PPA symposium. Others came through before or after the Penn State Trials Open House or other local events. They were asked to indicate which of the 350+ plants were their favorites by placing a flag by the plant’s sign.

‘American Gold Rush’ was the clear winner. Exciting but not surprising—the plant has a naturally compact, beautifully rounded habit and heavy bloom of large golden flowers with arched petals. Plus the thin hairs on its leaves keep septoria spores from settling and causing trouble the way the disease has done for ‘Goldsturm’.

Intrinsic Introductions had another variety among the favorites: Veronica ‘Seaside’, a cultivar exclusively licensed through Garden Choice. This substantial two-foot veronica ended in a three-way tie for second place. Visitors evidently favored its wider bright green foliage and wider, longer sky blue flowers on nearly woody stems. It also has an extended bloom period, from early to late summer.