BREAKING NEWS: The highly anticipated award-winning flowers and vegetables for 2026 have just been announced by All-America Selections (AAS), a prestigious organization that has recognized superior plant varieties since 1932. Gardeners everywhere will want to take note of these exciting new additions that promise to enhance their gardens and landscapes.
Each year, AAS selects varieties that demonstrate exceptional performance and uniqueness, ensuring that gardeners have access to the best plants. This year’s winners feature vibrant colors, unique characteristics, and remarkable resilience, making them ideal for various gardening conditions.
Coreopsis SunGlobe stands out with its bright, golden yellow flowers that bloom from early summer through fall. Judges praised its compact form and sturdy stems, making it perfect for borders or container planting at a height of just 12 inches. This perennial is winter-hardy in Zones 3 and 4, ensuring gardeners can enjoy its beauty year after year.
Another striking winner is Dianthus Supra Cherry Picotee, known for its profuse, eye-catching blooms. This compact annual features a unique picotee pattern with dark cherry centers and soft pink edges. Its excellent heat and drought tolerance means it thrives without the need for deadheading, allowing for three seasons of stunning color while remaining just 12 inches high and wide.
The Heliopsis Sole Giatto is a prolific perennial that will capture attention with its long-lasting, bright yellow blooms. Judges noted its impressive garden performance, attracting beneficial pollinators while remaining resistant to deer and rabbits. This AAS winner reaches 20 inches tall and is perfect for landscapes and perennial gardens.
For those seeking compact beauty, Rudbeckia Claire Orange offers a uniform habit and an abundance of clear orange blooms. With a height of just 12 inches, its exceptional vigor and heat tolerance make it a great choice for both containers and flower beds.
Among the vegetable winners, Kale Rubybor has made history by winning awards in both ornamental and vegetable trials, a first for AAS! Its deep purple foliage and non-bitter taste make it a standout in gardens or containers. This kale maintains a tidy shape and provides a continuous harvest of high-quality greens.
The Winter Squash Butter Lamp and Tomato BadaBing also promise to excite gardeners. The mini, pumpkin-shaped squash produces sweet, nutty fruits with rich yellow flesh, while the BadaBing tomato offers bright red fruits with outstanding flavor and disease resistance.
As gardeners gear up for the 2026 planting season, these newly announced AAS winners are sure to create buzz. With their unique features and proven performance, these plants will help bring joy and beauty to gardens everywhere.
What’s next? Gardeners are encouraged to seek out these award-winning varieties in seed catalogs and local nurseries as the planting season approaches. Stay tuned for more updates and gardening tips as the new year unfolds!
