Master plant breeder Rick Grazzini has won not one but two awards at Greenhouse Grower’s annual Evening of Excellence Awards in Columbus, Ohio. Held at the 2024 Cultivate show, the awards celebrate outstanding people and plants throughout horticulture.

Industry Achievement Award: Rick Grazzini, GardenGenetics

Rick has worked with Plants for Europe for many years, who represent many of his varieties, including the GardenZest® culinary herb collection, and most recently, Coleus Skeletal.

Rick founded GardenGenetics in 2006, and his tireless pursuit of better breeding for growers and customers is inspirational. This is a very well-deserved award.

Rick Grazzini says: "It is an honour to receive the Greenhouse Grower Industry Achievement award, and to be recognised by our industry. I deeply appreciate the nomination by Dr. Allan Armitage, and the decision of the selection committee to include me among such an esteemed group of industry leaders. I have been able to succeed as a plant breeder only because of the examples set by those who have gone before me: Charlie Weddle, Glenn Goldsmith, Claude Hope, Shun Suda, David Tristam, David Lemon, and many, many more."

Plants for Europe’s Graham Spencer says: “Horticulture is 50% plants and 50% people, and Rick brings us the best of both. He is extremely knowledgeable and very generous with his time and experience. It’s a pleasure to work with him and his excellent plants”.

Editor’s Choice Award: Coleus ‘Skeletal’ (Kientzler)

Later in the evening came another surprise, this time a shared one for Rick and Andreas Kientzler, as Coleus (Plectranthus) Skeletal won the Editor’s Choice Award!

Coleus Skeletal features quirky fishbone-shaped leaves, with a purple mid-rib that bleeds into magenta, finished with a vibrant lime green margin. This variety makes a hearty pot-full, with excellent basal branching and a lush habit.

Skeletal, propagated by Kientzler for the EU market has already made a big splash. Launched this year, this is Skeletal’s third award of the season, having already scooped The Platinum Peter Seabrook award, and 2nd in the overall People’s Vote out of over 100 new to 2024 plants at BBC Gardener’s World Live.

Rick Grazzini says: "Coleus Skeletal was developed in response to broad request in 2018 from Bruce Harnett, Andreas Kientzler, and Thomas Psenner for coleus with a unique "look" and smaller plant habits.  From the time it emerged on our seedling bench, Skeletal was obviously quite different.  Yes, the appearance is quite unique, but the soft, loose plant habit allows it to ship more easily from the grower to the retail shop, and to easily be incorporated into combination planters and containers."

This variety has made the headlines this summer, so we expect consumer demand for it to be big next year. For EU supply, reach out to the Kientzler team, and for UK stock, speak with Kernock Park Plants.

We're delighted for both Rick and Andreas Kientzler. Awards such as this serve to highlight the excellent work of breeders and growers around the world.