US: Cherry Choco Latte Rose Mallow wins Peoples’ Choice honors

Attendees at the 2018 Farwest Show selected SUMMERIFIC ‘Cherry Choco Latte’ Rose Mallow (Hibiscus SUMMERIFIC ‘Cherry Choco Latte’ PPAF CBRAF) as the Peoples’ Choice Best in Show winner in the show’s New Varieties Showcase. The plant was earlier awarded Best in Show by a panel of expert judges for a clean sweep of best new introduction for 2018.

‘Cherry Choco Latte’ was one of 62 outstanding new selections on display at the 2018 Farwest Show and available from at least one show exhibitor. The show took place August 22–24 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

‘Cherry Choco Latte’ is introduced by Walters Gardens Inc. and is available from Farwest Show exhibitor Walla Walla Nursery Co. Inc. It is a brand-new, long blooming Hibiscus with a smaller size that is more suitable for tighter spaces. Very large, 8–9-inch, three-dimensional flowers are white with intense deep pink veining and a notably large red eye. Attractive dark olive green foliage has bronze highlights and forms a compact clump, with flowers covering the entire habit later in the season. Best in full sun but tolerates part shade. Needs average to consistent moisture, is deer resistant, attracts hummingbirds, and is a native hybrid. Best in landscapes.

In addition of the Best of Show award, voters gave Awards of Merit as follows:

Hibiscus SUMMERIFIC ‘Holy Grail’ PPAF CPBRAF — Introduced by Walters Gardens Inc. and available from Walla Walla Nursery Co. The creators called this hardy hibiscus “the holy grail” from its inception because they knew they had something special. There’s a whole lot to love about this plant, beginning with its incredible dark, near-black foliage of beautiful, oval shaped leaves. Rich, deep red flowers are enormous at 8-9 inches across. The red and black colors perfectly complement each other. Height: 4-4.5′ Spread: 4.5-5′ Traits: Best in full sun but tolerates part shade, average to consistent moisture, deer resistant, attracts hummingbirds, native hybrid, best in landscapes. Judges’ Award of Merit as well.

Dolce Wildberry Coral Bells (Heuchera × ‘Wildberry’ PPAF, CPBRAF) — Introduced by Walters Gardens Inc. and available from Farwest exhibitor Proven Winners. The intense purple color of the foliage is second to none! Large, scalloped, incredibly glossy leaves are a vibrant shade of purple. Charcoal veining accent the leaf color and make the leaves really pop. Dark stems hold white flowers with rosy pink calyxes. A strong grower with excellent vigor. Foliage Height: 10–14 inches. Scape Height: 26–28 inches. Spread: 16–20 inches. Zones 4–9.

Maui Wormwood (Artemisia mauiensis MAKANA ‘Silver’) — Introduced by and available from Farwest exhibitor Terra Nova Nurseries. Artemisia mauiensis MAKANA ‘Silver’ makes a mounding, small shrub with better habit than the species. Its soft, silvery foliage works great in a mixed container or in the ground. Can be used for containers, accent, or planted en masse. It can be trained as a small specimen tree. It is fast growing and needs good drainage. Perennial in Zones 9–11.

All of the New Varieties Showcase selections are viewable at https://farwestshow.com/new-varieties-showcase/

For more information

Farwest Show