In 2025, the Commercial Growers of Wisconsin decided to evaluate 116 varieties of salvia (across 6 species) and 36 varieties rudbeckia, 5 echibeckias (hybrids of echinacea and rudbeckia) and several sunflower varieties in the display gardens.

2025 started out dry from a lack of precipitation last Fall going into Winter. The winter was dry, windy, arid and mostly snowless; many herbaceous perennials did not survive those conditions. Sedum and ajuga overwintering data is posted here SedumAjuga-overwintering-data2025 .  Early Spring was about average for precipitation and heat units. From mid-June through August, it rained more than half the days in each month; and with low wind speeds, it was a continuous wet warm environment. Despite the constant wet and warm conditions, plants fared well without much disease issues for most the summer.

Here is the list of plants in the trials: 2025CGW_entriesMay28

Plants were evaluated three times, once a month and scored from 1 to 5 (1 being poor, 5 excellent).  Evaluation data is posted here…. CGW_2025JuneJulyAugEvaluations Final

Salvia were stunning all season. By October, some were five feet tall.  Spectacular!