20 notable plants and products spotted at TPIE 2019

As many growers and garden center retailers can attest, houseplants and tropicals are having a moment, and that excitement was apparent at the 2019 Tropical Plant International Expo.

"There is electricity in the air, and it’s an optimistic show," says Jared Hughes, owner of Groovy Plants Ranch based in Ohio. "People are excited.”

TPIE, which featured 400 exhibitors and 6,488 attendees, took place Jan. 16 - Jan. 18 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Theresa Riley, owner of Rockledge Gardens in Rockledge, Fla., served on the TPIE committee for several years, and said the 2019 show was a standout. 

"I really think this year is one of the best I remember in a very long time! Lots of positive vibes and buzz," she says. 

The Garden Center Group echoed this sentiment, noting that 2019 TPIE was one of the best-attended by independent garden centers that comprise the group. 

"We had the largest number ever of Group Centers in attendance at TPIE this year. And, as a result, we had a record number helping to find great products to present the Cool Product Awards," Danny Summers, managing director of the Garden Center Group, noted in a press release. "We have over 30 judges (a new record), and they nominated over 70 products in their search results. And, we awarded 15 companies awards for their 'cool products.'"

Here are 20 plants and products honored at TPIE 2019 by the Cool Product Award judges, with notes from the Garden Center Group, and other noteworthy items the GIE Media Horticulture Group spotted while walking the show floor: 

1. Begonia maculata, Costa Farms

Michelle Simakis

2.  'String of Dolphin' Succulent, Branette Farms, Cool Product Award winner 
Senecio peregrinus is actually a hybrid between Senecio rowleyanus (string of pearls succulents) and Senecio articulatus (the hot dog cactus). Its nickname was inspired by the fact that its little leaves look like dolphins leaping out from the water. 

Michelle Simakis

3. Brunfelsia americana 'Lady of the Night,' Butler's Foliage Cool Product Award winner
Clusters of 2-inch white flowers that are held on long slender tubes release their heady perfume at night, but a curious nose may find fragrance almost any time of day. George Butler III says the difficult-to-describe fragrance is like a "spicy gardenia." 

Michelle Simakis 

4. Cordyline 'Singapore Twist,' exhibited by Butler's Foliage and Cordyline 'Singapore' shown by Excelsa Gardens 
Two companies pointed to this plant as one of their favorites that also received attention from attendees at the show. The plant pictured below is from Butler's Foliage. 

Michelle Simakis

5. Medusa Flower, Greendale Nursery, Cool Product Award winner
Strophanthus preussii, produces a wild and unusual floral display that arrives from late spring to fall on this shrubby climbing vine. Clusters of cream-colored flowers bedecked with long, curly streamers and a rust-tinted throat. 

Danny Summers

6. Hollywood Hibiscus 'Rico Suave,' Ramco Farm, Cool Product Award winner
Introducing another "character" in J. Berry Nursery's Hollywood Hibiscus Series, this ultra bright gold-orange ruffled petals leads to a deep burgundy center. A constant bloomer with full body of deep green foliage. 

Michelle Simakis