Branch-Smith presents OFA awards

At this year’s OFA Short Course, Branch-Smith Publishing once again awarded prizes for the best booth, best new product and best new plant variety. The award winners were selected by OFA Short Course attendees.

For more: Branch-Smith Publishing, (800) 433-5612; www.greenbeam.com. OFA, (614) 487-1117; www.ofa.org.

Best Trade Show Booth

Many of the approximately 10,000 Short Course attendees walking past the two-story Novalis booth stopped, stared and just said, “Wow, now that’s a trade show booth.” Built to simulate an outdoor living area complete with ceiling fans and backyard patio with stone walkways, the booth allowed visitors to visualize how Novalis plants could enhance a garden lifestyle.

For more: Novalis Inc., (888) 845-1988; www.novalisinc.com.

Best New Product

Ivy Acres in Baiting Hollow, N.Y., took home this year’s Best New Product award for its Straw Pot. The pots, made of rice straw, coconut husks and a natural latex adhesive, decompose within three to six months after planting in the ground. They are available in standard sizes and shapes.

Ivy Acres was one of 37 companies with items in the New Products Display.

For more: Ivy Acres Inc., (631) 727-1980; www.ivyacres.com.

Best New Variety

This year’s winner is Aglaonema ‘Pride of Sumatra’ from ForemostCo Inc. in Miami. It is a cross between A. rotundum x A. commutatum ‘Tricolor’ and was bred by Gregori Hambali. The plant reaches a final width and height of 24 inches. It is the first in a series of plants named Jazzed Gems. More than 50 companies exhibited plants in the New Varieties Display.

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For more: ForemostCo Inc., (800) 421-8986; www.foremostco.com.