This new addition to the Bailey First Editions family is a hydrangea that features dark-purple, almost black foliage and cranberry red blooms. Eclipse holds its dark color all season, even after being cut back or when grown in warm climates where other hydrangeas start to go green.

Judges were amazed with Peppers From Heaven, a pepper that finally offers consumers a new way to grow sweet peppers. An attractive mounding/trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets. Lots of fleshy fruit turns from green to glossy in color. Compact plants bear fruit all season long with pollinators.

Biostok caught the judges’ attention with three new assortments of small tropicals in 2-inch with focus on the Gen Z consumer. Here’s their description: “With more and more young people turning to indoor plants for companionship and a sense of mindfulness, we wanted to create a program that catered to their unique needs and interests. To make it easier for you to choose from, we have categorized the program into three different packages (Beleaf, Becool, Bebold) which cater to different requirements, including our best selection of 2-inch plants. Why settle for a full-grown plant when you can watch it grow from a baby? The 2-inch plants are the perfect size for Gen Z plant parents who are dedicated to watching their plants grow and thrive.”

The first time you see this new reblooming Hydrangea macrophilla, your reaction has to be something like… “Wait, is that a Hydrangea?” Most likely this will be the deepest cherry-red color in a hydrangea you have ever seen. Bloomin’ Easy is reporting this new addition is small in frame but huge in deep color. Mature stats are Zones 5-9, part sun; afternoon shade preferred, and only 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. This is a Plants Nouveau introduction.

These new Deluxe varieties from Darwin Perennials have the branching, flower count, and timing of the Sombrero Series with even more compact with better branching and a higher flower count than the typical double-flowered Echinacea. Three new flavors are added for 2024: Watermelon, Orangeberry, and Raspberry Deluxe.

The first thing that caught judges’ attention was the fact that this silvery-colored plant was in the Darwin Perennials display. Typically, anything similar, such as Dusty Miller, would be considered an annual north of Zone 8, but ‘Silver Swirl’ offers toughness in Zones 6 to 9. Judges were amazed at the thick, tough feel of the foliage, and of course the silver color was spectacular.

Retailers were really impressed with Dewar’s collection of Edible Fruit Plants in highly decorative pots with both fruit image and information tags. They saw Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape, Guava, Kiwi, Mulberry, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Raspberry, and even Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis). The combination of pot and tags feel like they will sell themselves.

This new selection of Schefflera looks nothing like your typical one. Judges were so intrigued with its extremely deep serrated leaves they began referring to it as the “Edward Scissorhands” plant. As a result, ForemostCo offered a competition to rename it. They are accepting suggestions for a name through the end of the month. For the lucky person who comes up with the name they choose, they will ship a Schefflera Cayman (fill in the blank). Send your suggested plant name and contact info to [email protected].

Rippled, shiny leaves emerge green and quickly turn black with the help of the sun. As the leaves mature, a neon-pink blotch forms, growing larger and radiating outward like a bright pink starburst in the center of each leaf. Tight clumps mature at 3 to 4 feet, offering limitless application in a garden setting, in containers, and near the water’s edge. This is a Plants Nouveau introduction from Green Trade Horticulture.

This is not your typical plastic or resin decorative container manufacturer. IC3D specializes in 3D printing for manufacturing based out of Columbus, OH, since 2012. While they do custom production for huge companies (including Ford, the U.S. Air Force and Navy, NASA, and many more), they are creating some unique plant containers. COO and co-founder Matt Organiscak says they have a large number of drain holes in the bottom and have an optional tray.

Retail judges remarked their grandmothers had a cast-iron plant, and for good reason. It has earned its reputation for decades as a hard-to-kill houseplant, along with being a beautiful outdoor foliage plant within its growing zones 8-10. But Tokyo Skies from PDSI brings a totally new look with its attractive variegated foliage to brighten shady locations. This is a Plants Nouveau introduction.

MySoil Test Kit has a direct connection to not only help the consumer with identifying their soil nutrient condition, it also redirects for needed solutions back to the selling retail garden center and the products that store carries. The retailer steps can be: (1) Add your company logo, (2) Select a report template/style, (3) Add your fertilizer and soil amendment product line, and customers will be referred back for in-store or e-commerce product purchases, creating add-on sales.

Judges said this new Garden Gems Amethyst Cercis from Star Roses and Plants has some of the deepest purple color in its heart-shaped leaves. It is reported to hold this color even in the hottest days of summer, providing dramatic color no matter the season. It is suggested as an alternative to similar color Japanese Maples. Amethyst is a compact size (mature at 8 to 10 feet) and hardy in Zones 5-9. Be sure to also see its cousin, Emerald Cercis, also being released in 2024.

Everyone knows how much space standard trays take up, and grower-retailers also know how time-consuming filling pots in those trays are and the amount of media that falls outside the pots and into the trays themselves can be. HC has a totally new idea with its new low-profile trays.

This is the second year in a row judges recognized We The Wild with an award. Last year was the introduction to its unique plant care products. This year, their three new assortments were on tap for the awards. The new combinations are Revive + Thrive Duo for houseplant vitality; Leaf Care Duo for lush leaves; and Houseplant Essentials for total plant care.