STANDARD ROSE WINS BEST OF SHOW AT SAF OUTSTANDING VARIETIES COMPETITION

Eufloria Flowers of Nipomo, Calif., won Best in Show for its standard rose “Milva” at the Society of American Florists’ (SAF) Outstanding Varieties Competition. Results were announced September 25, during 119th Annual Convention held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, Boca Raton, Fla.

According to judge Walter Rojahn, of Rojahn & Malaney in Milwaukee, the Best in Show winner was the “perfect example” of the exciting new products being created by the industry. “Strong varieties make us all look good, and there were plenty of them (at the competition),” he said.

SAF’s Outstanding Varieties Competition showcases the industry’s most exciting flowers, foliage and plants. This year’s competition involved more than 300 entries.

In addition to “Milva” in the Rose class, Best in Class awards went to the following: Chrysanthemum class – “Yellow Anastasia” by Esmeralda Farms, Inc.; Cut Bulb class – Oriental Lily “Sumatra” by Sun Valley Group; Dianthus class – “Dream” by Dole Fresh Flowers; Potted Flowering Plant class – Hibiscus “Pink Chiffon” by Exotic Hibiscus; Other Cut Flower class – Limonium “Chorus Magenta” by Gardens America, Inc.; Decorative Foliage class – Rhamnus “Mellano Selection Rhamnus” by Mellano & Company; and Potted Foliage Plant class – Aechmea “Lauren” by Kent’s Bromelaid.

A complete list of Best in Class and Blue and Red Ribbon winners is available at www.safnow.org/meetings/conv2003/OV%20Results.doc.