Oct 19, 2026 9:00 AM
Showcasing Trends and Tech Support at Ball for Fall 2026
A highlight of the event was the behind-the-scenes look at how the mum trials were produced. During the garden tours, Jessie McMillin, Product Manager – Mums, shared production details and cultural practices used throughout the season, with information provided by Gardens Horticulturist Landon Gibbs and the grounds team. Visitors also got the chance to sit in the tent for two featured presentations from Ball Seed’s own industry experts, Marcus Jansen and Dr. Nathan Jahnke.
A True Plant Trial with No Pinching and No PGRs
To ensure a true representation of each variety's natural performance, the trial followed a straightforward production program:
One plant was grown per pot.
Cuttings were stuck in Week 21 and transplanted in Week 24.
No pinching or plant growth regulators (PGRs) were used.
“As a result, it's a true trial,” McMillin explained, allowing visitors to evaluate each variety's natural growth habit and flowering characteristics.
The nutrition program was equally straightforward. Early in production, the grounds team applied a 20-10-20 fertilizer at 250 to 300 ppm. Approximately three-quarters of the way through the growing cycle, in July the program transitioned to a 14-0-14 formulation at the same rate. This feeding schedule continued until plants began showing color, helping to support strong growth and high-quality finishes across the trial.
Educational Sessions on Trends and Technical Support for Mums
In addition to the incredible mum trial at the 2026 Ball for Fall event, visitors had the opportunity to participate in two educational sessions in the tent. Through the morning, discussion centered around landscape plants that are particularly well suited for professional landscapers. These include complementary plants to Ball Seed’s existing mum offerings. This highlight list of plants featured Summer annuals to leave in the Fall landscape, Fall annuals to plant for the Fall landscape, and perennials that thrive in the Fall landscape.
Marcus Jansen, Landscape Business Manager, presented his ideas in a session called, “Plants for the Fall Landscape,” offering attendees recommendations and insights for extending seasonal color and impact in the garden.
Transition plants that do well from end of Summer into Fall include:
Blazen™ Scaevola available in Blue and White that are great in both baskets and garden beds.
Annual Salvias such as Mystic Spires, Blue Chill, Mysty, and Mysticals show amazingly in containers and in the landscape. That same can also be said for Big Blue Salvia. These offer vertical height and a great backdrop for mum plantings.
Jansen recommended leaving seed heads of varieties such as Stachys, Phlomis and Sedum, which offer foraging options for hummingbirds and other wildlife during the changing seasons.
Plants to love for Fall:
Grassy foliage is a wonderful option to go with your mums, pansies and other fall flowers. It provides an upright habit and height in containers and in the landscape. Grass varieties Jansen suggested include: Colorgrass® Amazon Mist, Red Rooster, and Phoenix Green. The latter giving a bright punch of color at the end of the season.
Kale and cabbages that are curly are really good options for the landscape. Other round-headed kale can tip and might not size up as well as the curly varieties. A preference in The Gardens this year was the Yokahama Ornamental Kale.
Pansies are also traditional options in the Fall. Spreading Pansies, may be premium versus a standard-type pansy, but they do give growers plenty of flowers and a lot more color in the landscape more quickly. Growers can find these in varieties such as Top Wave® Elevation Mix and Cool Wave® Golden Yellow. These offer a lot of value when growers get that quick fill and color while using less in the landscape with spreading pansies.
Perennials to last for Fall:
Emerald Crest Bluebeard Caryopteris is a perennial that offers a nice contrast in the landscape, providing color and movement.
Dream Catcher® Lightning Bolt® Panicum with a very statuesque, very tall habit. have attractive rosy, smokey seed heads, which are nicely appropriate for the season.
Fireworks Goldenrod Solidago rugosa with its golden foliage and Carnival Lime Zest Coral Bells Heuchera both have standout performance and color for the Fall.
The second session was presented by Dr. Nathan Jahnke, Culture Research Manager. He delivered a technical presentation titled, “Sick of Sick Mums?,” sharing research and best practices for managing chrysanthemum health and production challenges.
Mums are all about managing stress because as we know, growers only have one window when growing these types of flowers. It’s all about handling the elements since mums are grown during the Summer and usually outside. He discussed the certain types of pathogens and pests that can occur when growing mums and the strategies to help prepare growers for the next season. And starting with a healthy mum, and maintaining a healthy mum through the season will be the most resilient to pests and diseases. Stay tuned for the video, but in the meantime, check out our Tech Doc Library, which includes Garden Mums and Summer Heat (download as a pdf).