Stars Of The Show

Stars Of The Show

You, the reader, helped us choose the stars of the show at this year’s Medal of Excellence Awards. This year, Greenhouse Grower magazine presented its first Reader’s Choice Award. Voting was held online in May and June and the winner was announced at OFA Short Course, along with winners in Industry and Editor’s Choice for breeding. 

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Perennial Plant Association

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) is honored for its mission of enhancing opportunities for success for its members by providing education in the production, promotion and use of perennials.

Dr. Steven Still organized the first Perennial Plant Symposium in 1983 and since then the organization has grown to more than 1,800 members and draws more than 1,000 perennials professionals to its symposium. The Perennial Plant of the Year, PPA’s most successful marketing program, honors tried and true perennial varieties. 

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Novalis

Our Medal of Excellence Award for Marketing honors a company whose merchandising and marketing programs have proven themselves in the marketplace. The Plants That Work brand developed by Novalis fits the bill. Sub-brands, like Plants That Work–In The Shade and Plants That Work–Bring On The Heat, help guide the consumers to select the right plants for their gardens with colorful and eye-catching point-of-purchase materials.

At Short Course, Novalis announced a new sub-brand, Plants That Work–by Color. The line of annuals will include more than 150 selections of proprietary genetics and cements Novalis as a one-stop-shop for ornamental needs. 

Cora Vinca, Goldsmith Seeds

Cora vinca is the winner of this year’s Industry’s Choice Medal of Excellence for Breeding and the new Reader’s Choice Award. Named after Cora Van Wingerden, matriarch of the Van Wingerden family, Cora vinca features a patented resistance to aerial Phytophthora. It is available in six colors and a mix, with uniform habit and flowering time.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit Double Harvest, a charity founded by Art and Cora Van Wingerden which helps people in Third World countries, like Haiti, learn to grow vegetables. 

Snowtopia and Blutopia Bacopas, PanAmerican Seed

A cost effective alternative for growers in input costs and labor savings, ‘Snowtopia White’ and ‘Blutopia Blue’ bacopas from PanAmerican Seed are the Editor’s Choice Award winners. ‘Snowtopia White’ is slightly prostrate with beautiful white flowers and ‘Blutopia Blue’ is 10 days earlier with a more mounded habit. Growing from seed assures easy crop scheduling, quick turns, no need for stock plant maintenance and no pinching.

Special thanks to Landmark Plastic, the sponsor of the 2007 Medal of Excellence awards.

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