As part of the opening ceremony, the best new plant introductions were honoured in the IPM Novelty Showcase. The competition attracted 42 entries from 27 exhibitors. Eight new varieties were awarded in six categories. Four plants were awarded prizes in the woody plants category.

Yucca ‘French Flag’ (Company Plantipp B.V. , IJsselstein, the Netherlands) – Drought-resistant and therefore ideal for Mediterranean gardens; also suitable as an architectural plant. Well prepared for climatic changes, its flowering from May to June is also pollinator-friendly.

Cercis griffithii Blue Lagoon (‘RAFMAR1’ PBR) (Company Kordes Jungpflanzen , Bilsen, Germany) – Heart-shaped leaves in a rare blue-grey tone make this variety an eye-catcher; its early flowering also offers added value for pollinators. 

Rhododendron hybrid ‘Grazeasy® Purple’ (Company Diderk Heinje Baumschulen , Jeddeloh, Germany) – Lush, intensely purple flowers (May to June) stand out clearly against the dark, narrow, elongated leaves; equally suitable for containers, hedges or as a specimen plant.

Ficus carica Fignomenal ('PT-DF-14' PBR) (Company FitzGerald Nurseries Ltd , Kilkenny, Ireland) – Extremely dwarf and low-growing – ideal for urban gardening indoors and outdoors. As a fig, it combines ornamental appeal with enjoyment.