This year was my first year at MANTS and it was
incredible! It was the biggest trade
show I’ve ever attended and had so much to see…not to mention the countless wonderful people sharing the
same passion for the industry. As always, the Garden Writers Association group turned out in great numbers and it was a pleasure to meet the new management team. In
my time wandering the show floor and talking with others throughout the show, I took note of
emerging trends and new product introductions. Here's a few things that I noticed.
Edibles
Edibles continue to be the chatter as they grow in prominence amongst new and
seasoned gardeners. There was a variety
of new introductions and innovative products for those looking to start edible gardens. Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs has a variety
of new edible introductions including goji berries
and haskaps (edible honesuckle). For more information on haskaps, visit the Plant Hunter blog by Tim Wood.
Terrariums
I saw a lot of exhibitors displaying terrariums throughout the show. They are a great, fun, and low maintenance way to bring your gardening skills indoors, particularly during these brutal winter months (Michigan just got hit with a foot of snow…brr!). Looking for more information? Read this great article by Doug Oster.
I saw a lot of exhibitors displaying terrariums throughout the show. They are a great, fun, and low maintenance way to bring your gardening skills indoors, particularly during these brutal winter months (Michigan just got hit with a foot of snow…brr!). Looking for more information? Read this great article by Doug Oster.
Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering ShrubsIf you had a chance to stop at the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrub booth, I hope you were able to talk to new plants with the team. We had several of our new introductions on display. One of the most talked about was 'Golden Treasure' Dwarf Birch, because of it's bright coloration and dwarf habit. Another new introduction, Tuff Stuff™ Red Hydrangea, joins the Tuff Stuff series, this time with red blooms! Low Scape™ Mound Aronia caught the eye of a lot of gardeners and landscapers because of it's tidy mounded habit and glossy green foliage. I can't forget to mention my personal favorite, Double Play® Candy Corn™ Spirea. This spirea is so colorful with new growth emerging bright red maturing to a pineapple yellow.
We're off to fast start to 2016 and I have a feeling it's going to stay that for the whole year. I've set my blog and article schedule to keep on track and I'm sure you're all ready for the year too!
Best, Mark
