The judges at the Farwest Trade Show in Wilsonville, Oregon (Aug. 21–23) selected the "Spring Fleecing' fringe tree as "Best in Show." The tree has dark, waxy-green foliage and produces large billowy white flowers. The tree grows 10–15 feet tall and wide (zones 4–9).

The "People's Choice" winner was "Lemon Lace' elderberry (Sambucus racemosa). It produces bright yellow foliage in a compact irregular mounds with extremely fine texture. Red new growth adds contrast in the spring. The white summer flowers produce red fruit in the fall.

The 2014 New Varieties Showcase at the Farwest Trade Show in Wilsonville, Oregon, presented by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, featured dozens of new plants to the trade. This year's showcase presented 52 trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.

The winner of the "New Varieties Showcase Best in Show," judged by horticultural experts with longtime experience in the green industry, was "Spring Fleecing' fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), zones 4–9. The tree was offered by Heritage Seedlings, Inc., and selected by Sam Allen, Tarheel Native Trees, North Carolina.

Winning the "People's Choice" award, chosen by show attendees, was "Lemon Lace' elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), zones 3–7. "Lemon Lace' was discovered by Tim Wood, Spring Meadow Nursery Inc., Michigan and introduced by Proven Winners ColorChoice.

The judges also chose three "Plants of Merit":

"Lemon Lace' elderberry.

First Editions "Toscana' barberry (Berberis thunbergii), zones 4–7, bred by Don Selinger, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

"Mighty Velvet' stachys (Lamb's Ears), zones 7–9, introduced by Agricola Management Group, and developed by Goos Bartels, The Netherlands.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries represents more than 800 wholesale grow
ers, retailers, landscapers and suppliers. Oregon's ornamental horticulture industry is among the state's largest agricultural commodities, with annual sales of $745 million.

For more details on the plants at the show, visit www.FarwestShow.com/nvs