Crystal Ball for Next Spring’s Must-Have Plants

In August, I was asked to judge the 2009 New Varieties Showcase at the Farwest trade show in Portland, Oregon. Thirty-nine annuals, perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees were up for consideration. We three judges, clipboards in hand, represented various gardening perspectives. Dave Etchepare is a manager from Dennis’ Seven Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers in Portland and The Garden Doctor on KEX radio. Roger Mille, Homescaper LLC, looks at design considerations. I’m both a garden journalist and a home gardener. Our task was to choose a best plant in four categories, plus one overall winner for Best in Show. Using the criteria of landscape usefulness, uniqueness and retail appeal, we spread out to inspect the professionally designed display garden and make our separate decisions. Then we met to reach consensus.

The trend for colored foliage is still hot—blues, reds, purple-black and chartreuse were the dominating hues in the display—but among plants that didn’t make the final cut, I liked the tiny green leaves of tropical creeping mint, Mentha longifolia Mini Mojito™. In a winter greenhouse, the matting foliage could soften edges, scent the air and get popped in a drink. For descriptions of all thirty-nine entries, go to www.farwestshow.com/nvs.