Flame Thrower redbud wins People's Choice award at Farwest

Seaside Serenade Cape Hatteras hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘HORTHART’ PPAF) — This hydrangea was hybridized by Kolster BV in The Netherlands and introduced by Farwest Show exhibitor Monrovia, which had it available for ordering at the show in #2 and #5 containers. According to Monrovia, the deep burgundy red of this bloom is hard to believe, and photos don’t seem to do it justice. The blooms are offset with fantastic deep-green foliage and the stems are very strong to hold up the 10-inch blooms. As a tetraploid, this plant is stronger and tougher with thick stems and strong, deeply colored, leathery foliage and long-lasting blooms. The shrub flowers in spring and summer, with an ultimate size of 3½ feet tall and 3 feet wide. It makes a statement in the garden or as an entryway accent in a container. The blooms hold their color for an extended period of time and make excellent dried flowers. The compact habit without the use of plant growth regulators fits usefully into a variety of smaller spaces in the landscape.

Rock n’ Grow ‘Pride and Joy’ Stonecrop (Sedum ‘Pride and Joy’ PPAF CPBRAF) — This sedum was discovered by Hans Hansen of Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan, and introduced by Walters Gardens Inc. It was made available for ordering in 72-count plugs and G1 bare root plants from exhibitor Proven Winners at the Farwest Show. According to them, the dark pink ‘Pride and Joy’ joins the light pink ‘Pure Joy’ and the white-flowering sport `Bundle of Joy’. This sport of ‘Pure Joy’ shares the same impeccable habit, excellent flower coverage, serrated leaves, and early bloom time as its parent, but with darker leaves and darker pink flowers. It makes a durable, low maintenance, low water requirement garden plant.