Department of Horticulture Michigan Garden Plant Tour

Presenting the 2023 Raker-Roberta’s Trial Gardens (RRTG23) - over 7 acres and 100,000 unique plants dedicated to the horticulture industry. RRTG23 is open to all plant lovers.

Every visitor will receive iced cold refreshments, a complimentary RRTG23 Trial Book, and access to the most comprehensive plant trial database.

2023 Information

Garden Hours

Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Weekend visits by appointment. Trials are open from July 19 to September 1, 2023.

Highlights

Our sponsored areas are full of the latest and greatest offerings from our breeder sponsors.

• This year in our comparison row trials in the sun, we will have Bracteanthea, Ornamental Pepper, Zinnia, Celosia, Grasses, Helianthus dwarf-annual, and Dahlia's. We are also showcasing Pantone's color of the year, Viva Magenta! 
• In our hanging baskets, we are showing Pot Petunias and the newest "ready-Made" mixes.
• In 2022 we introduced our Specialty Cut Flower Trial bed; we are excited to announce for 2023 that we have expanded! New additions include a sponsorship showcase of varieties from top breeders all over the world, the largest Lisianthus comparison trial in the Midwest, and R2's R&D screen for the 2025 Specialty Cut Program. 

Events

Join us on July 27th for a day filled with Music, Food, Friends and of course, Flowers! Industry experts will be on hand to talk about the latest and greatest offerings. Be sure to make time to visit.

Trials

RRTG23 will trial over 1,000 varieties in side-by-side row, hanging basket, and large container comparisons.

• ROW - 600 raised rows containing annuals and perennials
• HANGING BASKET - 250 hanging baskets (14") of trailing plants
• LARGE CONTAINERS – 150 20” containers in sun and shade

Sponsored Displays

RRTG23 offers an array of displays sponsored by the best horticultural breeders:

• SPONSOR BED - 12 raised beds of new and unique varieties
• SPONSOR ROWS - 300 sun rows of new introductions and top breeder picks
• HANGING BASKET - 150 hanging baskets (14") of new introductions and top breeder picks
• LARGE CONTAINER - 265 large containers (20") in sun and shade
• ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS (AAS) TRIAL & DISPLAY - New seed and vegetative annual testing
• LANDSCAPE DISPLAYS - Throughout the Gardens, real-world applications of favorite RRTG plants

Nearby Hotels

The Munro House Bed & Breakfast
202 Maumee Street
Jonesville, MI 49250 
Phone: 800-320-3792

Holiday Inn Jackson NW - Airport Road
2696 Bob McClain Drive
Jackson, MI 49202
Phone: 517-789-9600

Hampton Inn Coldwater
391 N. Willowbrook Road
Coldwater, MI 49036
Phone: 517-279-9800

Courtyard by Marriot –Albion
200 S. Superior St.
Albion, MI 49224
517-629-8520