Jan 27, 2025

Cascading hydrangea and slender ginkgo win top honors

Two standout plants have earned top recognition from the Nursery & Garden Industry of Victoria as 2025 Plants of the Year.

Fairytrail Bride hydrangea, part of the Cascade hydrangea series, was named Plant of the Year overall and also took the top honor in the shrub category.

Developed in Japan by Ushio Sakazaki and introduced to the U.S. by Spring Meadow Nursery in 2022, it is celebrated for its trailing branches adorned with lace-like white flowers blooming at every leaf node.

Skinny Fit ginkgo, recognized as Tree of the Year, offers the iconic fan-shaped leaves of the ginkgo in a slender, upright form, making it ideal for small gardens and urban landscapes.

Maria Zampini, program manager for Proven Winners ColorChoice ornamental trees, said, “It’s incredibly exciting to see Skinny Fit ginkgo recognized in the tree category as a Plant of the Year in Australia.”

Both award-winning plants are part of the Proven Winners ColorChoice line. Growers interested in these varieties can contact Spring Meadow Nursery for more details.