Sep 8, 2017

Farwest Names Best In Show Winners

An expert panel of judges selected Mesa de Maya Southwest Oak (Quercus x undulate ‘Mesa de Maya’) as the Best in Show winner at the 2017 Farwest Show New Varieties Showcase. The New Varieties Showcase is one of the premier forecasts for new plant material that will impact the horticulture industry in coming years.

Mesa de Maya was one of 40 new selections on display at Farwest 2017, and available from at least one show exhibitor. The show was held Aug. 23–25, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

Mesa de Maya Southwest Oak was selected from seedlings grown by Allan Taylor, oak explorer and expert, in Boulder, Colorado. It is part of the curated program of Western adapted oaks branded as Southwest Oaks, released by Heritage Seedlings & Liners of Salem, Oregon.

In addition of the Best of Show award, three Awards of Merit were given by the judges. They were as follows:

• First Editions Sweet Tea Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘PIIGA-II’ PP27258)
• Burgundy Lace Hazelnut (Corylus avellana ‘Burgundy Lace’ (OSU 954.076) PPAF)
• Corydalis Hillier ‘Porcelain Blue’ (Corydalis ‘Porcelain Blue’)

During the Farwest Show, attendees voted for their favorites. The votes were tallied, resulting in the selection of three People’s Choice Awards that were announced on the final day of the show. Black Diamond Purely Purple Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘#18 Li’ PPAF) was chosen for the People’s Choice Best in Show award. In addition, two People’s Choice Awards of Merit were also announced as a result of the voting: Strait-Laced Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ‘SNR1292’ USPPAF) and Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Miss Saori’ PP26657.

Walla Walla Nursery Co. Inc. won the Ted Van Even Best in Show booth award at Farwest. The nursery won for its rich, plant-festooned booth that surrounds visitors in plant-covered walls. It also features a train set that winds its way around plant-covered tables, “delivering” sedums to market.

Walla Walla Nursery also captured a Best of Division award for Best Island Booth, Grower. Other Best of Division award winners included the following:

Grower:
– Best 10×10 Booth – Little Prince of Oregon Nursery
– Best 10×20 or Larger Row Booth – Blooming Nursery

Service/Supply:
– 10×10 Booth – Fogco Systems
– Best 10×20 or Larger Row Booth – Plant Revolution Inc.
– Best Island Booth – NurserySource LLC

The show also recognized exhibitors who pushed the creativity on their booths with three Far From Ordinary booth awards. Winning the award this year were Little Prince of Oregon Nursery, Brooks Tree Farm, and Plantafl or USA Inc.

For more information about the Farwest Show, visit www.farwestshow.com.