Fleuroselect has announced its latest Gold Medal winners following extensive trials conducted across Europe. Each of these cultivars demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of innovation, ornamental value and garden performance, convincing the international jury to award the Gold Medal.
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Helianthus annuus, Always Sunny Gold, PanAmerican Seed
Whether under overcast skies or full sun, Helianthus annuus 'Always Sunny Gold' brings a consistent summer atmosphere to the garden throughout the season. This variety produces numerous pollen-free, golden-yellow flowers that provide a strong colour accent. Bees and other beneficial insects are attracted to the nectar, contributing to garden biodiversity.
The variety is well suited to professional production due to its compact habit during the early production phase. Landscape designers value its robustness and long flowering period, while retailers benefit from its good shelf life. In addition to its garden performance, consumers can also use 'Always Sunny Gold' as a cut flower, thanks to its strong, long stems.
According to the jury, the striking golden colour, improved outdoor performance and strong appeal to pollinators clearly demonstrate breeding excellence, justifying the Gold Medal award.
© Fleuroselect
Heuchera sanguinea, Heucherette Pink, PanAmerican Seed
'Heucherette Pink' sets a new benchmark for seed-propagated Heuchera. This Heuchera sanguinea is the first from seed to offer exceptionally strong flowering. Large pink flowers develop into rich shades of pink and are carried on sturdy yet compact flower stems. Combined with its distinctive foliage pattern, the plant offers dual ornamental value.
Growers benefit from its compact growth, short stems and reliable first-year flowering, enabling fast and predictable annual production. For retailers, it is an eye-catching product that looks finished at the point of sale and encourages impulse purchases through its abundant blooms.
For consumers, the combination of decorative foliage and bright flower colour ensures long-lasting interest. The variety performs well both as a standalone plant and in mixed containers, for example alongside 'Heucherette Red'.
The jury described this variety as a major breakthrough in Heuchera breeding, highlighting its early-season flowering and attractive pink colour, and awarded it a Gold Medal.
© Fleuroselect
Sutera cordata, Bacopa Galactic Mist, PanAmerican Seed
'Galactic Mist' marks a new phase for seed-propagated Bacopa. This Sutera cordata is the first from seed to offer flower size comparable to vegetatively propagated varieties. Developed by PanAmerican Seed, it combines large, pure white flowers with excellent uniformity and strong overall performance, resulting in a refined yet impactful appearance in packs and mixed plantings.
Growers appreciate its natural branching and compact growth habit, making it particularly suitable for pack production. The variety does not require pinching or plant growth regulators, supporting efficient and sustainable production practices.
Retailers benefit from the consistently large flowers and uniform quality, creating a premium product with strong shelf appeal and versatility in combinations. Consumers are drawn to the abundance of bright white flowers, which provide a fresh, elegant look and long-lasting garden performance.
The jury stated: "With significantly larger flowers and leaves in a seed-propagated variety, this Sutera represents a major step forward for breeding and production and truly deserves a Gold Medal."
© Fleuroselect
Verbena bonariensis, Flair, Benary
Verbena breeding has advanced significantly in recent years, culminating in Verbena bonariensis 'Flair' from Benary. This variety is currently the most compact on the market, while its bright purple, rounded flower heads are highly visible, even from a distance.
Thanks to its genetic compactness, growers do not need to apply plant growth regulators or pinch the plants, supporting efficient and sustainable cultivation. The compact habit also allows more plants per trolley, simplifying logistics and reducing transport costs.
Retailers value the intense flower colour and strong suitability for mixed plantings, which create a clear visual impact at the point of sale. Consumers appreciate the ornamental effect of the spherical flower heads in landscape plantings. Beneficial insects visit 'Flair' throughout the summer until frost, supporting garden biodiversity. The variety performs well in full sun and meets growing demand for heat-tolerant plants.
The jury recognised this breeding breakthrough and its new market opportunities for pot and container production, awarding 'Flair' a Gold Medal.
© Fleuroselect
Zinnia, Profusion Double White Imp., Sakata
'Profusion Double White Improved' is the latest addition to Sakata's well-known Profusion series. As a long-established leader in Zinnia breeding, Sakata has achieved significantly larger flowers on an even more compact plant, while also improving flower longevity.
The variety's excellent uniformity and compact growth enable efficient and sustainable production. Larger flowers combined with a strong and extended flowering period deliver a powerful visual effect in gardens and landscape plantings.
With low maintenance requirements and reliable garden performance, even under challenging weather conditions, 'Profusion Double White Improved' is well suited for both home gardeners and professional landscape use throughout the season.
The jury commented: "As one of the best-performing varieties in the trials, this new Profusion will be an excellent addition to the market with high commercial potential."
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