A Look Back at Greenhouse Grower’s Medal of Excellence Winners

By Johnny Eppich|July 1, 2021

Over the years, Greenhouse Grower has recognized many varieties, innovators, and operations that push our industry to its limits.

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2016 Industry Choice Winner: Coreopsis Uptick Series (Darwin Perennials)
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2017 Industry and Readers’ Choice Winner: Helianthus ‘Sunfinity’ (Syngenta Flowers)
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2018 Industry Choice Winner: Vinca Tattoo Series (Syngenta Flowers)
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2019 Industry and Readers’ Choice Winner: Beacon Impatiens (PanAmerican Seed)
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2020 Industry’s Choice Winner: Echinacea Artisan Collection (Kieft Seed)
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2021 Industry’s Choice Winner: Begonia ‘I’Conia Scentiment Peachy Keen’ (Dümmen Orange)
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2016 Editor’s Choice Winner: Lupine Staircase Series (Green Fuse Botanicals)
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2017 Editor’s Choice Winner: Begonia Dibs Series (Green Fuse Botanicals)
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2018 Editor’s and Readers’ Choice Winner: Summer Spice Hardy Hibiscus Series (J. Berry Nursery)
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2019 Editor’s Choice Winner: Dahlia ‘Sincerity’ (Syngenta Flowers)
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2020 Editor’s Choice Winner: Hydrangea Game Changer Series (Green Fuse Botanicals)
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2021 Editor’s Choice Winner: Tropaeolum nasturtium 'Baby Rose' (Sahin/American Takii)
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2016 Readers’ Choice Winner: Petunia ‘Headliner Night Sky’ (Selecta)
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2020 Readers’ Choice Winner: Petunia ‘Bee’s Knees’ (Ball FloraPlant)
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2021 Readers’ Choice Winner: 'Sun Parasol Sunbeam' (Suntory Flowers)
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2014 Head Grower of the Year Winner: Ivan Tchakarov, Metrolina Greenhouses
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2015 Head Grower of the Year Winner: Tom Wheeler, Bell Nursery
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2016 Head Grower of the Year Winner: Albert Grimm, Jeffery’s Greenhouses
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2017 Head Grower of the Year Winner: Aron Hoff, Meyers Fruit Farms and Greenhouses
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2018 Head Grower of the Year Winner: Nick Gerace, Welby Gardens
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2019 Head Grower of the Year Winner: Marc Verdel, Battlefield Farms
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2020 Head Grower of the Year Winner: Aleksi Yosifov, Pleasant View Gardens
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2021 Head Grower of the Year Steve Garvey
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2018 Technology of the Year Winner: ISO Cutting Planter 2500
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2019 Technology of the Year Winner: Dümmen Orange Basewell Technology

Basewell is a novel young plant propagation system that combines the benefits of an unrooted cutting and a rooted cutting or liner. Produced offshore on cuttings farms, Basewell cuttings are more mature than a calloused cutting, with root development already started. Growers can stick Basewell cuttings directly into a finish container and grow them into a finished plant in a comparable time period as a liner.
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2021 Technology of the Year Winner: Candidus
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2016 Industry Achievement Winner: Ball Premier Lab
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2017 Industry Achievement Winner: Ushio Sakazaki
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2018 Industry Achievement Winner: Dr. Royal Heins
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2019 Industry Achievement Winner: James Ault
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2014 Operation of the Year Winner: Henry Mast Greenhouses/Masterpiece Flower Company
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2015 Operation of the Year Winner: Sheridan Nurseries
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2016 Operation of the Year Winner: North Creek Nurseries
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2017 Operation of the Year Winner: Micandy Gardens
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2018 Operation of the Year Winner: Barlow’s Flower Farm
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2019 Operation of the Year Winner: Kube-Pak
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2020 Operation of the Year Winner: Gotham Greens
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2021 Operation of the Year WInner: Dickman Farms