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Alpenglow® Hybrid Maple wins top People’s Choice Award at Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase

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Alpenglow® Hybrid Maple (Acer × sideboldianum ‘INAG-E61’ PP35081) was voted as the People’s Choice Best in Show winner in the 2025 Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase. The show was August 20-22 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

The plant was hybridized by Paul H. Halladin in Boring, Oregon and introduced by Iseli Nursery. It is one of 33 outstanding new selections that are on display at the 2025 Farwest Show and available from at least one show exhibitor.

“New plant introductions are the lifeblood of the nursery industry, bringing forth new ideas, inspiration and even functionality,” said Jamie Moore, event coordinator for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces the show. “Our judges were impressed with the quality and variety of new plants on display at Farwest. We are excited to see these new plants enter the marketplace and proud to play a role in making that happen.”

According to Iseli, “Alpenglow® is a red-leafed, upright hybrid maple that is hardy down to –30 F. In spring, merlot leaves dance on arching branches; translucent veins help them catch the light and glow. The deep red mellows to a burnished bronze in summer and finally turns to blazing orange and red in fall. A refined oval habit and sturdy branching make this a majestic centerpiece that you can rely on for a colorful show year after year. Our hybrid maples have proven to be resilient trees that can handle whatever challenges nature throws at them. ‘INAG-E61’ is a cross between Acer palmatum and Acer pseudosieboldianum. It originated from a tree breeding program started in 1997 with the goal of expanding the cold tolerance range of Japanese maple trees to include Zone 4. Grows to 15′ wide by 20′ tall. Zones 4a–8b.” The tree is available as #6, #20, #15, and #24 containers from Iseli Nursery.

In addition to the People’s Choice Best of Show award, voters gave three Awards of Merit as follows:

  • People’s Choice Award of Merit — Sweet Caroline MEDUSA™ Black Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batataas ‘NCORNSP-033SCMP’ PPAF, CPBRAF) — The plant was hybridized by Craig Yencho and introduced by Proven Winners. Their writeup states: “Featuring a leaf shape you’ll only find from Proven Winners, this unique sweet potato vine forms a full, billowing mass of dramatic black, palm-shaped leaves. Compared to trailing cultivars, Sweet Caroline Medusa™ varieties have a more mounded shape with overlapping leaves, so they look more like a Boston fern than a long vine. However, they are just as heat tolerant and vigorous, thriving across North America in containers and landscapes where they won’t need to be trimmed constantly to stay in bounds. Grows to 30″ wide by 12″ tall. Zones 11a-11b.” The plant is available as container liner, plug, 105-cell, and 72-cell seedling from Proven Winners.
  • People’s Choice Award of Merit — Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Shadowstorm™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-034SCVPG’ PPAF, CPBRAF) — The plant was hybridized by Craig Yencho and introduced by Proven Winners. Their writeup states: “Can’t decide between a green or purple sweet potato vine for the spiller in your containers? Try this variegated selection that’s a little of both! Its heart-shaped, near-black leaves are speckled with green — each one is nature’s masterpiece. Compared to older variegated forms, the shape of Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Shadowstorm™ is fuller, so you won’t need to continually trim to prevent it from getting scraggly as it grows. Expect the new leaves to emerge green, then develop their unique patterning with maturity and exposure to sunlight. Any leaves that remain solid-colored can either be removed or enjoyed — either way, the plant will thrive all season. Grows to 36″ wide by 16″ tall. Zones 11a-11b.” The plant is available as container liner, plug, 105-cell, and 72-cell seedling from Proven Winners.
  • People’s Choice Award of Merit — Seaside Serenade® Pebble Beach Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SC-04-20’ PPAF) — The plant was hybridized by Dr. Michael Dirr and introduced by Monrovia Nursery Company. According to them, “This hydrangea has large raspberry blooms in alkaline soil or electric purple in acidic soils. Additional interest is provided by dark red stems. Amazing flower power, rebloom, sturdy stems, and disease resistance all make this a winner in a container as well as in the garden. Grows to 3-4′ wide by 3-4′ tall. Zones 4a–9b.” The plant is available as #2 and #5 containers from Monrovia Nursery Company.

All of the New Varieties Showcase selections are viewable at FarwestShow.com/NVS.