It’s Show Time

HPX sheds light on what South Florida has to offer.

By Jane Spurling

Attendees of HPX 2008 in Miami got to see a vast array of tropical plants and trees produced in South Florida.

The Homestead Plant Exhibition and Conference (HPX) was held at the Miami-Dade Fair Sunshine Pavilion in late June. This intimate plant expo, now in its third year, is gaining the interest of growers, designers, landscape architects, and allied companies alike. The show is targeting South Florida, the Caribbean, and Central American countries and highlights the different kinds of plants and trees that South Florida is able to grow because of its unique geographical position.

Lots To Learn

The educational seminars were varied and well worth attendees time spent in each. Experts in each field provided an intensive learning experience. Showgoers could take part in a leadership class given by Dr. Hannah Carter of the University of Florida’s Wedgworth Institue, learn about grades and standards for the industry from a panel of experts, gather knowledge on how to manage diseases and pests from Aaron Palmateer, and learn other important facts like how to minimize storm damage by pruning correctly from Dr. Ed Gilman. Some classes were taught in Spanish for the Hispanic attendees.

Good Variety
The main focus for many was the fact that they were able to speak one on one with experts. There also was time for customers to learn about popular, new varieties of crotons such as ‘Eleanor Roosevelt,’ ‘Mammy,’ and the ‘King of Siam.’

With the emphasis on saving time for most people, the use of low-maintenance landscape trees was a hot topic. Especially interesting for their natural tree-shape were the Japanese blueberry and the cathedral oak.

As this show becomes better known, it will grow in the next decade.
“HPX was an awesome grassroots show,” says Allyson Humphries of Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone. “It gave us a chance to solidify our existing relationships and create new ones.”
HPX 2009 is scheduled for June 18-19.

Jane Spurling is secretary of the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association.