b'Behind the Blooms: HOW SEED TRIALS AND COLLABORATION ARE TRANSFORMING FLORICULTUREFrom Zinnias to Echinacea, seed trials are opening new doors for cut flower growers.By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorCUT FLOWERS HAVEalways held a special place in our lives. But behind every bloom, theres a story of trial, error and discoveryespecially when it comes to varieties grown from seed. For more than three decades, John Dole, professor and researcher at North Carolina State University, has been at the heart of these stories. He co-coordinates the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) National Seed Trials, where new varieties get their shot at floral fame.Each year, the association coordinates trials on as few as 20 to more than 70 new floral varieties. Weve become the trial site for seed breeders that want to introduce something new. Most of the local flowers in the United States now are field-grown, Dole saysThe trials have helped turn obscure varieties into staples for flower farmers and designers alike. Breeders send in newly released or experimental seedssometimes so fresh they dont even have names yet. Dole and over 40 fellow trialers from around the United States and Canada put them through their paces in fields, high tunnels and greenhouses. They compile the results into detailed reports that give growers and breeders criti-cal insights on what works and what doesnt.Lisianthus Borealis Apricot demonstrates the refined color palette and petal form that have made Lisianthus one of the most valuable cut flowers in global floriculture. PHOTO: JOHN DOLE28/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2026'