Variegated Frydek Elephant Ear Wins Best in Show Award at Farwest Show
August 24, 2023 Judges at the 2023 Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase chose Variegated Frydek Elephant Ear (Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek Variegata’) as the Best in Show winner.
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The plant, discovered in the Philippines, was introduced by Andrej Suske and Cascade Tropicals LLC based in Snohomish, WA, is one of 59 outstanding new selections on display at the 2023 Farwest Show and available from at least one show exhibitor.
The show opened Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues through Friday, Aug. 25 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR. The show also presents People’s Choice awards, which are chosen by attendees voting on the show floor. Those awards will be announced on Friday, the final day of the show.
“The future is always in motion,” says Mary Claire Lamm, Manager of Events and Education for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces the show. “Our industry relies on a steady stream of new and better plants to fascinate plant lovers and perform in the landscape. The Farwest Show is a great place to see those new plant introductions that will move the industry forward.”
‘Frydek Variegata’ variegated elephant ear is a sought-after form of ‘Frydek’, for its unique variegation on velvety, soft foliage. Its mature leaves can get up to 18 inches long. It grows to 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall, and is hardy to Zones 10a to 12. It is available as 2-inch and 4-inch containers from Cascade Tropicals LLC.
In addition of the Best of Show award, judges gave Awards of Merit as follows:
- ‘Double Scoop Watermelon Deluxe’ Coneflower (Echinacea × hybrida, ‘Balscmelux’ PPAF, hybridized by Ping Ren in Elburn, IL, and introduced by Darwin Perennials. These new deluxe varieties bring the branching, flower count, and timing of the Sombrero Series to Double Scoop. They are more compact with better branching and a higher flower count than the typical double-flowered Echinacea, and have more reliable first-year flowering. It grows to 22 to 24 inches tall and 18 to 20 inches wide and is hardy to Zones 4a to 9b. The plant is available as liners from Ball Seed Company.
- ‘Banana Split Winter’ Daphne (Daphne odora ‘Monzulzay’ PP35217), discovered by Cesar Velazquez and introduced by Monrovia Nursery. Banana Split is an exceptional new selection with variegated foliage. Each leaf has a wide yellow edge. Rose-pink buds open to white, sweetly fragrant flowers. It is a great foundation plant in dappled shade that resists reversion compared to other variegated daphne varieties. It grows to 3 to 4 feet wide by 3 to 4 feet tall and is hardy to Zone 7a. The plant is available as #2 containers from Monrovia Nursery.
- ‘Peppermint Patty’ Heartleaf Bergenia or Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia ‘Peppermint Patty’ PPAF CPBRAF), hybridized by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, MI, and introduced by Walters Gardens/Proven Winners. It offers a unique look for Bergenia, with white flowers that have a pink throat with color radiating down each petal. The petals are then edged with a matching thin pink picotee margin. Individual flowers are above average in size at 1¼ inches wide. Its flower stems are bright rose pink before transitioning to green near the base. Wavy, serrated leaves have extra heavy substance with prickly, toothed edges. It grows up to 22 inches tall and 16 to 18 inches wide, and is hardy to Zones 4a to 9b and is available as 72 ct. and 20 ct. plugs from Proven Winners/Walters Gardens.
All of the New Varieties Showcase selections are viewable online here.
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