Aug 19, 2021

Lavender ‘Sensational’ Named Best in Show at Farwest

Lavender ‘Sensational’ was chosen by judges as the Best in Show winner in the 2021 Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase.

The plant, discovered by Lloyd Traven and Richard Grazzini and introduced by Peace Tree Farms based in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania, was one of 74 new selections on display at the 2021 Farwest Show and available from at least one show exhibitor.

Sensational is available from Farwest Show exhibitors Walla Walla Nursery Co. It is described as “the next generation of lavender ‘Phenomenal’.” The plant boasts “incredibly large and think flowers and sturdy stems,” along with “broad silver foliage that is “thick and tough” and a “thick floral aroma.” Other attributes include a dense habit, heat tolerance, humidity tolerance and cold tolerance.

In addition of the Best of Show award, judges gave Awards of Merit as follows:

Heart to Heart ‘Burning Heart’ Sun Caladium introduced by Proven Winners North America LLC. It is a bronze, fancy leaf variety with pink to orange spots, representing “a completely new color for caladiums,” according to the company. It is intermediate to tall in height, and works well in combinations, patio planters and landscapes, either in full sun or shade. The color is best expressed in the sun. The plant is available in quart, 6½-inch and 8 ½-inch containers from Farwest exhibitors Proven Winners (Booth #6005).

NewGen Independence Boxwood discovered by a boxwood enthusiast in the Williamsburg, Virginia area and introduced by NewGen Boxwood, Saunders Genetics LLC. Independence was chosen for the NewGen brand based on very high tolerance to boxwood blight and strong performance in boxwood leafminer trials. It has a habit similar to Buxus microphylla ‘Green Beauty’, but with more elongated leaves. It has rounded habit, deep green color and medium sized plant, and can be used in formal plantings where a medium sized round plant is desired. The branching structure is very strong, so it withstands snow loads. It is also deer resistant. The plant is available from Farwest exhibitors Bountiful Farms (Booth #16037), Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas Inc. (Booth #14043) and Sidhu & Sons Nursery (Booth #19045).

SunFern Olympia Russian Wormwood hybridized by Christa Klevit in the Netherlands and introduced by Darwin Perennials. This novelty evergreen shrub with fern-like textures can be used as an accent plant in containers or as a groundcover in the landscape. It is low maintenance, tolerates drought, and does well in full sun. The plant is available as 50, 72, 102, 128, URC and URC AutoStix from Farwest exhibitors Ball Seed (Booth #5043).

All of the New Varieties Showcase selections are viewable at the Farwest Show and at https://farwestshow.com/new-varieties-showcase/