Aug 27, 2014
Spring Fleecing Fringe Tree and Lemon Lace Elderberry Win Top Honors at the 2014 Farwest Trade ShowSource: Tom Kegley Communications

Every year, the New Varieties Showcase at the Farwest Trade Show features dozens of outstanding plants that are new to the trade. This year was no exception. The 2014 showcase featured 52 different trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. But only two of these plants could win top honors from judges and attendees.

Every year, the New Varieties Showcase at the Farwest Trade Show features dozens of outstanding plants that are new to the trade. This year was no exception. The 2014 showcase featured 52 different trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals with interesting shapes, colors, growth habits and other characteristics.

“This was one of the most outstanding collections of plants we’ve ever featured,” said Ann Murphy, director of marketing for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces Farwest. “It’s the quantity as well as the quality. Our judges and attendees were truly impressed with the plants that were submitted.”

But only two of these plants could win top honors from judges and attendees.

The winner of the New Varieties Showcase Best in Show award, chosen by judges, was Spring Fleecing Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus ‘Spring Fleecing’). It was selected by Sam Allen of Tarheel Native Trees in North Carolina and is offered by Heritage Seedlings Inc.

Winning the People’s Choice award, chosen by those attending, was Lemon Lace Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa ‘SMNSRD4’ PPAF, CBRAF). It was discovered by Tim Wood, Spring Meadow Nursery Inc., Michigan, and introduced by Proven Winners ColorChoice.

The judges also chose three Plants of Merit: Lemon Lace Elderberry, First Editions Toscana Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘BailJulia’ PPAF, and Mighty Velvet Stachys (Lamb’s Ears) (Stachys ‘Bello Grigio’ PPAF).

The People’s Choice award had four runners-up in the voting. They were Sombrero Adobe Orange Coneflower (Echinacea x purpurea PPAF), introduced by Darwin Perennials and offered by T & L Nursery, second place; Avantgarde Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Avantgarde’ PP23466), hybridized by Agriom and introduced by Ball Ornamentals, third place; Skyline Heather Collection (Calluna vulgaris ‘Stockholm’ PPAF and ‘Sydney PPAF), hybridized by Henk Hoekert and Henrick Rietberg, Edens Creations, and introduced by Ball Ornamentals, fourth place; and Marley’s Pink Parasol® Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus ‘JLWeeping’ PP23755), introduced by JLPN Inc. and represented by Upshoot LLC, fifth place.

The 2014 Farwest Trade Show was held August 2123, 2014, at the Oregon Convention Center. The show serves professionals engaged in the nursery industry and related trades, including retail nurseries, wholesale growers, landscapers, landscape designers, and others involved in the green industry.

To learn more about the winning varieties in this year’s New Varieties Showcase at Farwest Show, visit: www.FarwestShow.com/nvs.