What sort of person goes to Epcot, only takes pictures of plants, then leaves with a smile on his face? Any attendee at the Florida Flower Trials last month in Orlando, Florida.
This annual gardening exhibit is sponsored by the Florida Nursery Grower Landscape Association (FNGLA) Floriculture Division. The purpose is to encourage plant breeders and growers to bring to the table some of their new introductions for us in the horticulture business to admire and evaluate.
There were three locations in Orlando where these various plants were grown: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Walt Disney World’s nursery, and Harry P. Leu Gardens. Here are some of the outstanding sights and plants, by location.

Leave it to Disney to make flowers out of flowers.

Inside the butterfly exhibit.

Donald and boys enjoying gardening.

Pollinator plants were predominant:

Succulents made Pigletts form.

Gotta have fruits: Pineapple ground cover.

You don’t need hanging plants in hanging baskets: Caladiums and ferns for a shady spot.

Got a dry spot? Hang succulents out to dry.

Can they build a snowman in 94 degree weather? Sure. Sturdy frames hold sphagnum moss that are plugged with various plants.

Topiary worker putting the finishing touches on Mickey.

Note the slots at the bottom where they can pick up this 1800 pound topiary with a fork lift.

All American Selection trial site. Melissa Shepherd does an excellent job growing and maintaining these plantings.

The Food and Wine festival is next week. Time to bring out the hops.

Soiree Vinca ‘Kawaii’ means cute in Japanese. These little flowers are abundant. And last year they did not get any fungal disease in summer!

Portulaca ‘Campino Vanilla Cherry’.

In the AAS garden Celosia ‘Asian Garden’.

Also in the AAS garden.

A mass of marigolds.

Deep purple foliage on ‘Midnight Fire’ pepper.

Drought tolerant Ptilotus ‘Joey’.

Light lavender Ptilotus ‘Joey.

Bicolor zinnia ‘Queen Red Lime’.

Armed and dangerous trunk of Silk Floss tree.

Fragrant roses at Leu Gardens.

Tradescantia zanonia ‘Variegata’ happy in the shade.

These beds are dedicated to growing the trial plants.

Vibrant pink bed of petunias ‘Color Rush Pink’ at the Orange County Extension gardens.

Common Queen Anne’s Lace.

A new color of Ammi magus ‘Dara’ or chocolate False Queen Anne’s Lace.

Dwarf Bottle Brush shrubs in bloom.

Perfect watermelon.

Flies pollinate this desert-blooming succulent “Carrion Flower” or Stapelia.

For more on this festival: http://www.FloridaFlowerTrials.org