Highlights from MANTS 2025
The show must go on, and with wildfires burning on the West Coast, a winter storm in the Midwest and South, and sub-freezing temperatures in the East, the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) welcomed more than 10,000 attendees and exhibitors to a sold-out trade show from Jan.8-10 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
In addition to networking and reconnecting with customers and friends, trade shows provide a window into new products on the market or coming soon. MANTS provided a sneak peek of several products being exhibited on the show floor to journalists and garden writers. Here are a few of them:
Briggs Nursery: Holden’s Series Rhododendron
The Holden Arboretum’s Phytophthora-resistant line of hardy rhododendrons available through Briggs Nursery were tested and selected for their resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomic. Cold hardy to Zone 5, the line has a compact habit that matures at 3 to 4 feet high and wide in 6 to 8 years. Available in Peach, Mauve, Pink, Red, Fuchsia and Pink Flare.
Darwin Perennials: Digitalis ‘Artic Fox Lemon Cream’
A true perennial offering better winter hardiness with summer-long blooming, this deer-resistant digitalis is ideal for pollinator programs. First-year flowering, suitable as a cut flower. Deer resistant. Matures 18 to 24 inches high and 16 to 18 inches wide. Zones 5a to 9a.
Environmental Plant Management (EPM): Eco Green 3 Plant Wash
A natural, three-in-one plant wash that cleans, shines and protects leaves without chemicals, oils, odor or residue. ECO Green 3 restores leaves to their natural luster; washes away dust, grime, and biofilm; and delivers broad-spectrum pest control. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor plants.
George Bridges Boxwoods: Geogo Soil Solution Xtreme Bokashi Compost and Geogo Soil Solution Xtreme Garden Mix
Xtreme Bokashi Compost is biologically complete fungal compost that helps plants to intake and digest nutrients from the organic matter within the soil. This allows consumers to use less chemical fertilizers and creates a more sustainable environment for healthy soil, with the benefits of enhanced microbiology.
Show Floor Favorites
Plant Development Services Inc. (PDSI): Encore Azalea Autumn Kiss
Available as a new trade release this year and a new consumer release in 2026, this variety has semi-double blooms with vibrant pink edges that gently transition to a soft pastel pink and finish in a nearly white center. Reblooms in spring, summer and fall. Hardy to Zones 6 to 10, growing to a mature size of 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
De Vroomen Garden Products: Sesame Street Collection
In addition to its flower bulbs, plants and seeds, De Vroomen Garden Products (which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year) displayed its new Sesame Street Collection, a collaboration with Sesame Street designed to inspire the next generation of gardeners. The collection features gardening kits, seeds, tools and activities centered around beloved characters like Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster.
Oasis Forage: Mother’s Day Kits
Oasis Forage showcased its new Mother’s Day themed kits and accessories for flower arranging. The “Mom and me”-style kits include two pots and enough foam to create two arrangements with foraged flowers and foliage (say that two times fast).
Star Roses and Plants
Star Roses and Plants brought the party on the show floor and in a separate meeting room to celebrate 25 years of Knock Out roses. First introduced in 2000, the Knock Out Rose gained popularity to its continuous bloom cycle, disease resistance and dazzling colors. Now one of the bestselling roses in North America, the collection includes 12 stunning varieties, each known for beauty, adaptability and reliability.
Special-edition 25th anniversary point-of-purchase materials are available to garden retailers to help make your retail displays stand out this spring.
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