Best in Show winner for 2026 Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase announced

Saturnalia American hybrid oak (Quercus ‘HSLMK’ PPAF) was chosen by professional judges as the Best in Show winner in the 2026 Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase.

A hybrid of Silverleaf (Q. hypoleucoides) and Red Oak (Q. rubra), it was found among seedlings grown at Heritage Seedlings & Liners.

The show opened Wednesday, August 26 and continues through Friday, August 28 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. In addition to these judges’ awards, the show also presents People’s Choice awards. Those are chosen by attendees voting on the show floor now through the end of Thursday. Those awards will be announced on Friday morning, the final day of the show.

© Farwest Show

“Plant breeding and new plant introductions help fuel the nursery industry and drive innovation,” said Connie Lindsay, trade show manager for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces the show. “Our judges were impressed with the quality and variety of new plants on display this year at Farwest. We’re thrilled these new plants are entering the market and excited that we have a role in helping make that happen.”

Saturnalia American hybrid oak (pictured right) was introduced by Heritage Seedlings & Liners Inc. Red-© Farwest Showblushed new leaves mature to glossy dark green with acute lobes and thick texture, silvery green beneath. Long lasting fall color is bronze-green to rusty red. Vigorous upright growth, a strong leader, open branch angles and wide adaptability merit its use as an urban tree across the continent. Early trials show it to thrive in the heat and humidity of North Carolina, as well as its first winter at the Chicago Bontanic Garden. Grows to 25 feet wide by 40 feet tall. Hardy to zones 5b–9b. Available as #1, #2 and #5 containers from Heritage Seedlings & Liners Inc. (Booth #15037).

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

Lantana Luscious® Vanilla Breeze (Lantana camara Luscious Vanilla Breeze PPAF) — Introduced by Proven Winners. According to them, “As beautiful as they are, sometimes bold red or gold lantanas just won’t work in some container recipes or landscape designs like those where pastel pinks and blues dominate. That’s where the elegant Luscious Vanilla Breeze lantana shines. This lantana’s fragrant blossoms open soft, buttery yellow and mature to white – an essential color that brings balance and refinement. They are produced abundantly all over the large, well-branched, spreading canopy of this large, landscape-sized lantana. Luscious Vanilla Breeze is a heat tolerant lantana that works beautifully in mass landscape plantings and large container recipes, adding a cool splash of white on hot summer days. Like all Proven Winners lantanas, it produces few to no seeds and requires no deadheading to bloom non-stop all season.” Height and spread 20–26 inches. Zones 9a–11a. Available in liners from Proven Winners (Booth #8055).

© Farwest ShowLantana Luscious Vanilla Breeze

Sofia® Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Zsofi’ PP33411) — Introduced by Concept Plants and Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas. According to them, “Prunus Sofia is a game-changer. It’s a beautiful, easy-care ornamental cherry that delivers year-round appeal. It features fine-textured, elegant foliage that creates a light, refined look throughout the growing season. Its compact habit makes it perfect for small gardens, patios, entryways, streetscapes, and urban landscapes, where it can be used as a low hedge or a graceful accent in mixed plantings. It responds well to pruning and is easy to shape. Combining outstanding ornamental value with improved disease resistance over ‘Otto Luyken’, Prunus Sofia is an ideal choice for homeowners and landscape professionals alike.” Height 60 inches and spread 40 inches. Zones 5a–8b. Available in #6 and #10 containers from KG Farms (Booth #9029).

© Farwest ShowSofia Cherry Laurel

Crimson Feathers False Spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Hyfaria’ PP36847) —Introduced by Concept Plants. According to them, “A truly spectacular addition to the Sorbaria family, Crimson Feather is a beautiful, compact and extremely hardy shrub that boasts large, feathery golden leaves with new, intense crimson-red growth, creating a beautiful contrast to the mature lime-green leaves. The stunning red color holds into summer and is truly a sight to behold. Sorbaria Crimson Feather’s new red growth is the brightest in the assortment so far, and as if that’s not enough, Crimson Feather is not susceptible to diseases either. A stunning, trouble-free cultivar and deserved winner of Gold at the HTA New Plant Awards 2022. Sorbaria Crimson Feather looks beautiful in pots, borders, and Japanese gardens, but it will also make an impressive low hedge that will attract pollinators from far and wide.” Height and spread 40 inches. Zones 2a–11a. Available in #3 containers from Monrovia (Booth #17037), and Meridian Young Plants (Booth #12055).

© Farwest ShowCrimson Feathers False Spirea

All of the New Varieties Showcase selections are viewable at the Farwest Show. As a reminder, the show will be open until 2 p.m. Friday, August 28 to see them personally.