This new Hydrangea paniculata from First Editions was a show-stopper for judges and may very well be the next big hit for the landscape. It is loaded with blooms on strong stems on a well-branched compact plant. Little Hottie was bred for southern heat but performs equally well in Minnesota. Blooms begin as green and turns sparkling white. http://www.baileynurseries.com; [email protected]

This new introduction is a compact coleus featuring striking red/orange foliage with ruffled leaves edged in lime. Specifications are height of 14 to 26 inches, spread of 14 to 16 inches, and sun and shade exposure. www.ballfloraplant.com; [email protected]

This compact, micro coleus is the first of its kind in the Ball FloraPlant offerings and was a show stopper for retailers. Spitfire holds its color very well in full sun or shade and is very late to flower. Its versatility will be just right for use in combos, containers, and landscape borders, and great for urban gardeners' balconies or small patios. No other micro coleus has such vibrant pink and lime green coloring with this unique leaf shape.

Judges were on the lookout for smaller options for containers and patios, and here was the perfect cucumber for containers and even hanging baskets. This tiny cuke has sweet cucumber flavor combined with a tangy sourness. Prolific heirloom unleashes a plethora of mini sweet treats. The fruit’s sweet flavor is counterpointed by a pleasing tangy note, as if pickled already. Yields a bonanza of tiny cukes about the size of a table grape for salads, snacks, and pickling. A fine spectacle cascading from a hanging basket or climbing on a trellis. www.ballhort.com

Ficus ‘Fignomenal’ has an extremely dwarf and low-mounding habit which is perfect for urban gardening, indoors as well as outdoors. Fignomenal gives lots of fruit. The sweet, medium-sized figs are deep brown on the outside and pink-red on the inside. This phenomenal fig gives fruit throughout the year and requires little maintenance. In addition to that, it has low insect pressure. Fignomenal grows up to 28 inches high and wide. The plant was introduced by Lloyd Traven (developer of the Phenomenal Lavender) and is now in tissue culture production. www.conceptplants.com; [email protected]

This amazing breakthrough in breeding brings the long-flowering benefits of both Echinacea and Rudbeckia to offer continually blooming through to the first frosts. This breakthrough in breeding crosses the two to stunning effect with the best qualities of each. The series features 10 color options that show off bursts of rich browns, oranges, and yellows. These hearty hybrids boast great flower size, fast growing speed, longevity during the flowering period, smaller, stronger leaves and, most importantly, disease resistance. Echibeckia Summerina ‘Blazing Fire’ which was showing blooms 4 to 5 inches across, with numerous buds. www.ppandl.com; [email protected]

This new series features a warm old-world look in various shapes and sizes to complement all types of plants. Judges commented on how well this will sell in their garden centers, and they are anxious to get supplies into their stores. www.pacifichomeandgarden.com; [email protected]

Judges were drawn to this new series of both mini tomatoes and peppers. The series features 12 pepper selections of various shapes and colors, and four different tomatoes. The new Kitchen Minis collection includes ready-grown fruiting compact potted vegetable plants consumers can place inside on a sunny windowsill or counter without a garden. They can also be placed outside as tabletop patio varieties. Kitchen Minis make it possible for consumers to harvest their own homegrown vegetables regularly. Each plant’s harvest lasts about a month. www.panamseed.com; [email protected]

The newest addition to Proven Winners’ Unplugged Series is Pink, and it is an amazing new annual salvia. At Cultivate’21, it was featured on a pedestal (just where it should be). Its height and width is 12 to 20 inches, and it is loaded with blooms so it is perfect for containers or the mid-landscape setting. It thrives on both full sun and partial shade. Availability for Retail is 2022 so be sure to add it to your spring orders. www.provenwinners.com; [email protected]

This new series features four colors and two bicolors such as Purple+White. These amazing compact mounding/spreading verbenas give a constant color show in trials without cycling and are tough choices in times of drought and heat. www.selectanorthamerica.com

This is a “wow” combination with deep purple and white dapples. It is the first sky pattern to join the Starlet series. Dark night skies feature many stars showing off. Dark and moody, deep purple blooms is just the right setting for the bright white stars.

A new cultivar of Peperomia plant named ‘Brasilia’ that is characterized by leaves that are grey-purple on the upper surface and red on the lower surface, a large number of leaves, yellow-white flower spikes and a compact habit. This was the first time this new Peperomia has been in the U.S. Availability is expected in late 2022. www.succulentsunlimited.com; [email protected]

Mangave is a relatively new phenomenon, an intergeneric cross of Manfreda x Agave. ‘Praying Hands’ is a brand new and totally different look than what you've seen in Mangave so far. Dark-green leaves stay curled upward like a teardrop or an artichoke, where the cinnamon brown terminal spines nearly touch each other. 'Praying Hands' gets its unique habit from one of its parents, Agave ocahui. Reported height and spread is 8 to 10 inches. www.waltersgardens.com; [email protected]

The famous ‘Green Giant’ now has an offspring. Instead of a 30- to 40-foot-tall specimen, Junior Giant will mature at 15 to 20 feet, making it a much better fit for sites where space is limited. Just as long-lived as its predecessor, plant Junior Giant on 5-foot spacings and expect to enjoy your own privacy for up to 40 years. Junior Giant is part of the Syn-RG Hand-Picked For You program. Availability for retail is expected for spring 2022. www.willowaynurseries.com; [email protected]