As a gardener, I have cherished plants that I have grown for many years, such as the fragrant and delicious Big Boy tomatoes, the broad Romano-type Italian flat beans, the climbing zucchini, and the Queen Lime Mix zinnias. However, I also enjoy trying out new plants. Therefore, it is valuable to learn that each year, the independent, non-profit organization All-America Selections appoints over 80 horticulture professionals from various regions in the United States and Canada to serve as plant-trial judges. Their role is to cultivate the new plants alongside existing varieties and evaluate their performance, time to maturity, size of flowers or fruits, disease resistance, and other characteristics important to home gardeners. Outstanding plants identified through this process are designated as AAS winners for the upcoming year, coinciding with their introduction to the market.
For 2025, a total of 20 plants – seven edible and 13 ornamental – have been recognized as national or regional winners.
Edible Selections:
– Basil Piedmont (Regional Winner: Great Lakes and Heartland): Noted for exceptional disease resistance, strong aroma, classic flavor, and extended shelf life after harvesting, this basil variety by Garden Genetics and Seeds by Design also boasts a dense, bushy growth habit and vigorous health in challenging conditions.
– Cauliflower Murasaki Fioretto 70 F1 (National Winner): Featuring bright purple florets and long, tender stems, this cauliflower variety by Tokita Seed America matures early and offers mild flavor suitable for various culinary uses.
– Kohlrabi Konstance F1 (National): This purple kohlrabi produces crack-resistant, vibrant bulbs with smooth skin, an extended harvest window, and tasty leaves, making it a versatile choice for spring and fall plantings.
– Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1 (National): Notable for outstanding resistance to bacterial leaf spot disease, these mid-size plants produce sweet, snack-size yellow peppers continuously throughout the growing season, bred by Seminis Home Garden.
– Squash Green Lightning F1 (National): Appreciated for its high proportion of edible flesh, early maturity, and attractive appearance, this squash variety marketed by PanAmerican Seed impressed judges with its taste and visual appeal as both a culinary ingredient and decoration.
– Squash Thriller F1 (National): Judges found this color-shifting squash by Sakata America unique, easy to grow, and well-adapted, producing visually striking fruits with bright orange, green, and cream vertical stripes that change color as they ripen.
– Tomato Tonatico F1 (Mountain/Southwest, Northeast): This upgraded cherry tomato variety received praise for its taste, texture, yield, disease resistance, reduced fruit cracking, and easily detachable uniform fruit clusters, making it a standout choice for gardeners in the specified regions.
Harvest time is a crucial period for growers to reap the rewards of their hard work. One exceptional variety to consider is Celosia Flamma Pink, part of the Flamma Celosia series bred by Bejo USA. This semi-dwarf pink celosia stands out for its easy cultivation, remarkable blooming capacity, and striking upright flowers that last a long time. It has impressed judges with its resilience in hot and humid conditions and its extended vase life as a cut flower. Distributed in North America by Sakata Seed Corp., this variety is a standout choice for vibrant and long-lasting blooms in your garden.
Another standout ornamental is Vinca Sphere Polkadot, bred by Miyoshi & Co. Ltd. This vinca variety has been praised by judges for its robust blooming nature and beauty. With a naturally compact and rounded growth habit, it thrives throughout the summer, even in hot and dry conditions. Its superior disease resistance and durability against harsh weather conditions make it a reliable choice for any garden.
For a mix of stunning zinnias, consider Zinnia Crestar Mix by Takii Europe. This blend of crested zinnias in shades of pink, orange, red, white, peach, and yellow is perfect for mass plantings and succession sowing, providing a continuous supply of cut flowers during the summer months. These sun-loving plants have shown excellent tolerance to heat and humidity in trials, making them a top choice for colorful and long-lasting blooms.
Dahlia Black Forest Ruby is another noteworthy selection, bred by Takii Europe B.V. This dahlia features semi-double to double ruby-red flowers against a backdrop of black foliage, creating a visually striking display. Judges across continents have been impressed by its overall durability and disease resistance, earning it the Fleuroselect award for superior performance in European trials.
In the realm of dianthus, Dianthus Interspecific Capitán Magnifica, bred by Selecta One, stands out for its resilience in summer heat. Its two-toned pink flowers on long stems are perfect for bouquets, with a quick shearing after the first bloom encouraging a vigorous return of blooms.
Marigold Mango Tango, bred by Ernst Benary of America, Inc., offers bi-color yellow-and-red blooms on compact, vigorous plants that bloom continuously. This variety, which also won the Fleuroselect award, is suitable for both borders and containers, providing vibrant color throughout the season.
The Nasturtium Baby series, including Baby Gold, Baby Red, and Baby Yellow, has also received acclaim for its compact habit and intense flower color. These petite, mounded nasturtiums are bred by Takii Europe BV and are perfect for adding a pop of color to any garden.
For a low-maintenance option, consider Petunia Dekko Maxx Pink by Syngenta Flowers. This petunia features a fast-growing, spreading habit and abundant pink blooms that hold up well against various
Greetings! Introducing the Zinnia Zydeco Fire, a spectacular variety bred by Hems Genetics. This zinnia is characterized by vigorous growth, long-lasting flowers, and exceptional heat tolerance. The vivid, disease-resistant blooms of fiery orange are fully double and sit atop sturdy stems. Judges have noted that the flowers of this variety are larger and more resilient compared to other plants. On another note, Jessica Damiano, a renowned writer, shares weekly gardening columns for the AP and produces the acclaimed Weekly Dirt Newsletter. For a dose of weekly gardening tips and advice, don’t miss out on signing up. For more captivating gardening stories from the AP, be sure to visit https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.
