May 22, 2019 
Basil ‘Everleaf Emerald Tower’ (PanAmerican Seed)
‘Everleaf Emerald Tower’ flowers up to 10 to 12 weeks later than standard basil. Well branched plants have short internodes and stay tidy for many uses, including in-ground, container gardens and hydroponics. The dark green, glossy foliage and tidy columnar habit of ‘Everleaf Emerald Tower’ basil stand outs at retail. Its traditional Genovese flavor works wonderfully for eating fresh in caprese salads or chopped fresh in recipes.
Greenhouse Grower‘s Medal Of Excellence has become one of the premier recognition programs of plant breeding excellence. The Industry’s Choice for Best New Variety award is selected by a panel of industry members who attend California Spring Trials and see the new plant introductions in person.
Special thanks goes to this year’s panelists:
The Metrolina Team: Abe Van Wingerden, Sim McMurry, Mark Yelanich
The Welby Gardens Team: Al Gerace, John Gerace, Dan Gerace, Mandy Gerace
The Mast Young Plants Team: Jim Raterink, Brian Weesies
The Raker-Roberta’s Team: Steve Reed, Jenny Kuhn, Kelly Staats, Susie Raker-Zimmerman
Dr. Allan Armitage, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture, University of Georgia, Greenhouse Grower
Janeen Wright, Greenhouse Grower
See the slideshow above for the new varieties nominated as the Industry’s Choice finalists for 2019, and join us for Greenhouse Grower’s Medal of Excellence Evening on Monday, July 15 at Cultivate’19 to find out which variety is the overall winner.
Special thanks to our title sponsor Multi-Packaging Solutions – WestRock.