To find those plants, Home Depot runs 25 trial gardens in nine climate zones across the U.S. and studies them in the field under a variety of conditions. After all, a plant that thrives in New Mexico might not survive in New Jersey. For security purposes, some of those experimental gardens are hidden in cornfields or through backyard donkey corrals, protected on secret farms before the plants are selected and patented. 

Each year, the company vets roughly 800 genetic enhancements before 400 make it to the planting stage. As they monitor the trials, Home Depot and its partners focus on key attributes like disease resistance, drought tolerance and “flower power,” industry shorthand for color vibrancy and bloom size. 

At the end of the summer, they select between 40 and 50 plants for production. They come to spring trials to see the results. 

Inside Home Depot’s $20 Billion Secret Garden - WSJ

Innovation isn't limited to tech. Physical innovation continues and this blew my mind. 🤯