The Ball Summer Trials at West Adderbury was the first Professional Trial Grounds in the UK to open its doors to customers this season.  

This year’s event not only presented numerous leading varieties in baskets, containers and flower beds, but also included extensive Perennial and Annual presentations in ‘retail ready’ pot displays, something customers really appreciated being able to see.

The extended trialling area of over 2,000 experimental Annual and Perennial varieties provides visitors full transparency on ‘Whats cooking in the kitchen’, a great insight to the continuous stream of future new plant varieties.  

“Trialling is at the heart of everything we do as we believe it is incredibly important for anyone involved in production and retail to see how the up-and-coming new plant developments perform in real growing and garden conditions,” comments Stuart Lowen.

“So, we were delighted to have been able to open our doors and receive so many trade visitors this summer. Due to popularity we even had to extend the open days by an extra week!” 

As always, Ball offer visitors the opportunity to vote for their favourite varieties from any of the trials or plant displays. Over 1,000 votes were cast which were equally split between Annual and Perennial varieties.

Customers' Favourite Varieties for 2022 – Annuals

Calibrachoa Cabaret Good Night Kiss is a wonderfully exciting novel colour adding to the Calibrachoa Cabaret series. The punchy two-tone purple flowers feature a striking and stable yellow star centre.

Customers' Favourite Varieties for 2022 – Perennials

Delphinium hybrida Red Lark – this stunning new Delphinium stopped visitors in their tracks with its unique coloured flowers.