The Garden Center Group's garden retailer judges hit Farwest 2022 this year, voting for their picks for the Retailers’ Choice Awards. The organization awarded 10 companies awards for 12 "amazing plants and products."
Here's a quick review and links for more details on products awarded listed in alphabetic order by company:
Little Hottie Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bailpanone’ PP32549) by Bailey Nurseries
Judges said this will be one of the best-selling hydrangeas in coming seasons. A compact hydrangea with great branching, deep green leaves and late summer flowers that are initially green and open to a creamy white, which are held up on sturdy stems.
More info: https://firsteditionsplants.com/product/little-hottiepanicle-hydrangea/
Shadow Magic Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia ‘Bailagtwo’ PPAF) by Bailey Nurseries
A crapemyrtle with dark rosy blooms and dark purple leaves, offering disease resistance and compact size (7–9 feet tall and 5–7 feet wide).
More info: https://shop.baileynurseries.com/Product/Detail/13811
Goldblitz Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldblitz’) by Ball Seed
A strong, low-maintenance variety for borders and landscapes, featuring tight foliage with shiny, dark green leaves that hold back weeds and flower abundantly from summer well into fall. Golden yellow horizontal petals contrast nicely with the black center disc.
More info: https://www.ballseed.com/PlantInfo/?phid=053800604046271
Nightfall Snowbell (Styrax japonicus ‘JFS 6SJ’ PPAF) by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Nightfall Snowbell was chosen by the Retailers’ Choice Awards Judges but also as the Best in Show winner during the 2022 Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase. The plant, bred by Keith Warren and introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., combines the deep purple foliage of Evening Light Snowbell with the gratefully weeping form of green-leafed cultivars such as Fragrant Fountain. It features purple emerging leaves with green undertones, which contrast with pearly white flower buds in spring. They open to reveal creamy white, bell-shaped blooms. The leaves darken as the season continues.
Wood Tag and Bamboo Plant Stakes by Hip Labels
Judges were thinking, "Move over, plastic! This eco-friendly tag breakthrough offers a smaller carbon footprint than plastic tags and it is fully recyclable! It has a water-based, solvent-free coating for water resistance. To complement this new Wood Tag, Hip Labels offers a bamboo tag holder in three sizes.
More info: http://hiplabels.com/wood-tag/
Bendable Plant Poles, Trellis and Mistr by Mossify
Mossify was quite busy for their first appearance at Farwest 2022 as they introduced their new bendable coir and moss plant poles that are completely bendable. Available in two thickness with one with smaller coir covering and the other larger with moss, each available in three sizes. During the presentation, Lucas Picciolo founder of Mossify said, “with Mossify poles, it puts creativity in the hands of the plant owner.” During the presentation Picciolo also shared details on their new wooden trellis as well as their cordless plant mister Mossify Mistr.
Weigela Midnight Sun (Weigela florida 'Verweig9' PPAF, Can PBRAF) by Proven Winners
A neat and tidy bun-shaped weigela with glossy, blazing orange and red summer-autumn foliage, Midnight Sun works well at the front of borders. It bears pink flowers in spring, however, this plant’s form and colorful summer through autumn foliage are its standout element.
More info: https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/weigela/midnight-sun-reblooming-weigela-weigela-florida
Bushel and Berry Scarlet Belle Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa ‘Ruby Ann’) by Sester Farms
This addition by Bushel & Berry is an ornamental and edible strawberry plant is beautiful and delicious. Remember typical strawberry blooms are white with yellow center? Scarlet Belle has unique scarlet red blooms with yellow centers produce berries all season long, and is ideal for patio pots, hanging baskets or garden beds.
More info: https://www.bushelandberry.com/scarlet-belle
Glowing Hearts Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Piesid2’) by Sidhu & Sons Nursery
Color is what caught the eyes of The Garden Center Group's judges here. This glossy Pieris shrub has glossy evergreen foliage that emerges in strikingly brilliant, glowing scarlet hues.
More info: https://www.sidhunursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/GLOWING-HEARTS-FLYER.pdf
Velveteeny Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Cotsidh5’ PPAF) by Sidhu & Sons Co.
This smokebush has silky smooth, deep burgundy foliage with large, feathery plumes of dove gray to pink blooms, and a compact form, maturing at 4 feet.
More info: https://www.briggsnursery.com/plant/cotinus-coggygria-usppaf-cpbraf-velveteeny/
Fanfare Showtime Gaillardia (Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Fanfare Showtime’ PP33438) by Walla Walla Nursery Co.
If you have trusted Fanfare then you will love this new offspring with more color! This gaillardia has the same pinwheel flowers you know and love but now in bold fire tones, with a compact mounding habit of 21 inches tall by 16 inches wide. It goes well in containers, beds and borders.
More info: https://planthaven.com/plant/gaillardia-fanfare-showtime/
Leprechaun Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata ‘Leprechaun’ PP33840) by Woodburn Nursery and Azaleas Inc.
A compact selection of T. ‘Green Giant’, hardy to Zone 4, holds excellent green color through the winter. It was discovered by Frank Kogut, Kogut Nursery, in Connecticut, and matures at 10–12 feet.
More info: https://www.oan.org/resource/resmgr/gr22/ThujaLeprechaunTecSheet.pdf
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