Members of the Garden Center Group presented Retailers’ Choice Awards to 12 companies for 15 products during Cultivate’24 in Columbus, OH. The Garden Center Group’s Danny Summers led the search as garden retailers selected the best new products to bring excitement and noteworthy interest to their stores in the coming season.
1
of
15
Helleborus ‘Mount Nebo’ (Aris Horticulture/Must Have Perennials)
2
of
15
Angelonia ‘AngelMist’, ‘AngelFlare Cranberry’, and ‘AngelFlare Black’ (Ball FloraPlant)
3
of
15
Agastache mexicana ‘Summerlong Lilac’, ‘Lemon’, and ‘Coral’ (Darwin Perennials)
4
of
15
Musa ‘Nono Pink Variegated’ (Purple Pink) (ForemostCo)
5
of
15
Microgreens Kitchen Garden Set (Organic) (Knowing Nature)
6
of
15
30 Second Planter (Proven Winners)
7
of
15
Salvia ‘Unplugged Red’ (Proven Winners)
8
of
15
3-Shelf Shopping Cart (RW Rogers)
9
of
15
Hydrangea ‘Li’l Annie Oakleaf’ (Star Roses and Plants)
10
of
15
Garden Metal Art Dragonflies (Steel Heart)
11
of
15
Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol FiredUp Orange’ (Suntory Flowers)
12
of
15
Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol XP Bluephoria’ (Suntory Flowers)
13
of
15
Geranium ‘Calliope Large Dark Salmon’ (Syngenta Flowers)
14
of
15
Cherry Blast Tomato ‘It’s Pretty’ (Syngenta Flowers)
15
of
15
Rudbeckia ‘Lion Cub’ (Terra Nova Nurseries)
Keep reading, and check out the slideshow above, for a list of companies and products receiving recognition.
Helleborus ‘Mount Nebo’ (Aris Horticulture/Must Have Perennials)
New foliage emerges bright red in the fall and early spring maturing to pink, white, and green speckled leaves in the Rockies Helleborus Series. Bouquets of flowers emerge in early spring along with a new flush of foliage. Rosy pink-blushed buds and flowers persist for weeks, slowly fading to chartreuse. Bright yellow reflexive anthers add to the unique flowers. Uniquely colored and patterned foliage adds extended interest to shade gardens into the summer. MustHavePerennials.com
Angelonia ‘AngelMist’, ‘AngelFlare Cranberry’, and ‘AngelFlare Black’ (Ball FloraPlant)
This new angelonia features big blooms that have big impact in baskets or in the ground. Extreme heat and humidity are no match for these super-spreading varieties. Low-growing variety makes a unique groundcover. BallFloraPlant.com
Agastache mexicana ‘Summerlong Lilac’, ‘Lemon’, and ‘Coral’ (Darwin Perennials)
Dense, mounded agastache that flowers throughout the summer with beautiful, bright flowers that attract pollinators. Heat and drought tolerant. Performs best in full sun with good drainage. Earlier to bloom and longer lasting in full bloom for an extended sales window and better garden performance. Features pink-lilac, yellow, and salmon-pink flowers. DarwinPerennials.com
Musa ‘Nono Pink Variegated’ (Purple Pink) (ForemostCo)
This unique combination of pink and variegation makes this banana eye-catching and explains why it has been a popular addition for rare plant collections. ForemostCo now has it in tissue culture production, so you can expect to be seeing many more available in the coming months, helping Nono Pink to become part of everyday sales. Foremostco.com
Microgreens Kitchen Garden Set (Organic) (Knowing Nature)
Includes everything you need to grow three delicious varieties of organic microgreens at home and a reusable planter so that you can keep growing for years. Kit includes: Reusable Knowing Nature Planter, Organic Seeds x 3, Organic Coco Coir Discs x 3, and detailed instructions. KnowingNature.com
30 Second Planter (Proven Winners)
Newly reimagined and re-launched as a pilot program for spring 2024, the 30-Second Planter is designed to be the easiest entry point into container gardening for budding gardeners and those pressed for time. In literally 30 seconds or less, containers and landscapes can be overflowing with gorgeous blooms that have proven to be compatible in recipes. Simple planting instructions are printed on the branded container for clarity and ease of use. UPC codes are not printed on the container, but growers and retailers may add their own stickers. 30-Second Planters are being offered by Four Star Greenhouse and Pleasant View Gardens as a pilot program this spring with their retail-ready and finished programs. A full rollout will be available for 2025. ProvenWinners.com
Salvia ‘Unplugged Red’ (Proven Winners)
Red flowers on mid-sized plants that love heat, don’t mind humidity, and will bloom non-stop for months. A good-sized plant, but not too large. It is right-sized for containers and good for use in landscapes as well. Fragrant foliage, drought and heat tolerant. Deadheading not necessary.
3-Shelf Shopping Cart (RW Rogers)
This new 3-Tier Cart is the result of collaboration between Garden Center Group members and Bob Rogers, President of R.W. Rogers. A number of Garden Center Group centers participated in the Better Shopping Cart discussion last fall. While the cart’s top shelved do not fold up, it does nest nicely. rwrogerscompany.com
Hydrangea ‘Li’l Annie Oakleaf’ (Star Roses and Plants)
A new take on the classic Oakleaf Hydrangea, this compact variety is great for gardens of all sizes. Mature sizes are 3 to 4-foot height x 4 to 5-foot wide. Native to North America, its stunning flowers are a host for beneficial pollinators. Burgundy fall foliage extends the garden season. An addition to the Bloomables Collection. Starrosesandplants.com
Garden Metal Art Dragonflies (Steel Heart)
Retailers were instantly drawn to the creative garden art by Steel Heart. The level of details in both floral/plant images as well as insect, makes the collection unique and appealing. Steel Heart made the important point to say this is custom-made for them in India (not China). Steelheartltd.com
Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol FiredUp Orange’ (Suntory Flowers)
FiredUp is the first in a brand-new series with a new flower form that is a flatter pinwheel shape. These Sun Parasols have an upright habit and narrow leaves. The perfect dipladenia to get a patio or garden fired up with beauty and also as part of a combo container. SuntoryFlowers.com
Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol XP Bluephoria’ (Suntory Flowers)
Sun Parasol Original XP has superior branching and flower power. Earlier to flower with outstanding, exciting colors like the first yellow flower Sunbeam, the new Bluephoria with blue flowers starting with pink buds, the new Mauvelous with brush stroke color of mauve pink blooms, and Double Pink Blush, a FleuroStar winner of a true double bloom in pink. All are excellent plants for gardens, containers, and hanging baskets. Bluephoria is a true blue when in warmer temperatures (more lavender when in cooler temperatures).
Geranium ‘Calliope Large Dark Salmon’ (Syngenta Flowers)
An industry-first innovation and still a top geranium for color and performance. Vigorous habits and maximum flower power make Calliope Large an ideal choice for high-impact baskets and large pots. SyngentaFlowers-us.com
Cherry Blast Tomato ‘It’s Pretty’ (Syngenta Flowers)
A new upgraded trailing variety with proven resistance to tobacco mosaic virus strain 1 & 2 and tolerance to late blight, which allows the plants to stay healthy and well performing into late summer. Excellent performance in hanging baskets or large containers, a heavy cropper blasted with cherry-sized fruits that consumers can enjoy all summer long.
Rudbeckia ‘Lion Cub’ (Terra Nova Nurseries)
Retailers think this unique little Rudbeckia will wow with its cuteness and longevity. Naturally forms a tight mound of emerald-green foliage topped by pom-pom perfect golden yellow flowers centered with a dark chocolate eye. Each flower is covered with a sunburst of strap thin petals, which do not brown or fade, but develop a contrasting red edge with age. Bloomed June through October, both in the ground and in the greenhouse. Great commercial sales potential; ideal for summer through fall containers, annual bedding and displays. TerraNovaNurseries.com
