FNGA Announces '04 Plants of the Year

The eight selected ornamentals were chosen based on set criteria, including resistance to pests and maintenance requirements.

ORLANDO, Fla. – In an ongoing effort to promote the production, sale and use of superior Florida-grown plants, the Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association (FNGA) announces its selections for 2004 Florida Plants of the Year.

These selections include:

  • Rhapidophyllum hystrix/Needle Palm
  • Tabebuia impetignosa ‘Ipe’/Purple Trumpet Tree
  • Camellia sasanqua ‘Shishigashira’/‘Shishigashira’ Camellia
  • Aristolochia grandiflora/Pelican Flower
  • Russelia sarmentosa/Red Russelia
  • Leonotis leonurus/Lion’s Ear
  • Aglaonema ‘Silverado’/‘Silverado’ Aglaonema ppaf
  • Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Hurricane Louise’/‘Hurricane Louise’ Coleus
  • These ornamentals were selected by a group of growers, horticulturists, retailers, landscape professionals and University of Florida faculty. Plants also must meet set criteria: they must resist pests, require reasonable care and be fairly easy to propagate and grow. The award-winning plants also exhibit some superior quality, improved performance or distinctive characteristic that sets them apart from others in their class.

    The Florida Plants of the Year program was launched to promote under-used but proven Florida plant material. The annual effort has led to increased wholesale and retail demand since the program was launched in 1998, according to FNGA.

    Florida Plants of the Year displays are scheduled at industry and consumer trade shows throughout the year.

    For more information, contact FNGA at 800/375-3642, visit www.fnga.org or e-mail info@fnga.org.

    The author is Editor of Interior Business magazine and can be reached at acybulski@interiorbusinessonline.com.