Proven Winners ColorChoice varieties win awards at 2024 Farwest Show

The Oregon Association of Nurseries Farwest Show, which concluded on Aug. 23, gave nurseries the opportunity to present their most cutting-edge plant varieties for display and award consideration in their New Varieties Showcase.

Judges’ Best in Show – New Variety

Of the 25 plants entered in the showcase, Proven Winners ColorChoice varieties earned two of the four top contender spots. The Judges’ Choice Best in Show – New Variety was awarded to Starway to Heaven Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus). Paisley Pup Doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana) was recognized in the same category with an Award of Merit.

Farwest Retailers’ Choice Award

Starway to Heaven Styrax snagged one of fifteen Retailers’ Choice Awards. Chosen by garden retailer judges coordinated by The Garden Center Group, the awards recognize products or services the judges feel deserve special recognition for their ability to find a new approach to an old formula.

Farwest People’s Choice Award

The show also presents People's Choice Awards. Chosen by attendees voting on the show floor, the award is announced on the final day of the show. Starway to Heaven Styrax also received this award.

Introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery and bred by Chris and Josh Robinson of Robinson Nursery in Amity, Oregon, Starway to Heaven Styrax is an ornamental tree with fragrant, five-petalled, shimmering flowers that resemble a galaxy of stars upon spring blooming, and then again when it reblooms in fall. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

“We are thrilled that so many segments of the green industry all recognized the attributes of Starway to Heaven Styrax at the Farwest Show," said Maria Zampini, manager of the Proven Winners ColorChoice Trees program, “When it comes to flowering trees in the landscape, Japanese snowbell provides a diverse option for home owners. The Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Tree program includes not one but three Japanese snowbell options: Starway to Heaven, with red new foliage and white flowers on an upright habit, and two weeping choices, Marleys Pink with green foliage and pink flowers, and Swan Song with incredibly dark purple foliage and light pink flowers.”

Farwest Award of Merit

Bred by Megan Mathey at Spring Meadow Nursery, the Award of Merit recipient Paisley Pup Leucothoe is a broadleaf evergreen with variegated pink, green, cream, white, bronze and yellow foliage. Racemes of fragrant white flowers appear in spring. This shrub has a versatile (3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide) habit, shade tolerance and deer resistance.

For more information, visit SpringMeadowNursery.com.