BREAKING NEWS: The highly anticipated 2026 award-winning flowers and vegetables have just been announced by the esteemed All-America Selections (AAS) organization, setting a new standard for gardens worldwide. These selections promise to enhance gardens with vibrant colors and superior performance, making them a must-have for all gardening enthusiasts.
The AAS, which has been honoring exceptional plant varieties since 1932, has released its latest winners, each showcasing unique traits that greatly surpass existing options. This year’s winners were rigorously tested by expert judges, ensuring their superiority and appeal for gardeners everywhere.
Among the highlights is the Coreopsis SunGlobe, a perennial that dazzles with its golden yellow, semi-double flowers. Standing at just 12 inches, it’s ideal for borders and containers, providing color from early summer through fall. This hardy plant thrives in Zones 3 and 4, withstanding winter temperatures when adequately protected.
The Dianthus Supra Cherry Picotee is another standout, featuring a compact, bushy form adorned with striking, fringed blooms. This annual not only boasts vibrant dark cherry centers but also excels in heat and drought tolerance, requiring no deadheading for continuous blooms throughout the growing season.
Also making waves is the Heliopsis Sole Giatto, a perennial reaching 20 inches tall, known for its long-lasting bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators while resisting deer and rabbits. Its exceptional garden performance makes it an excellent choice for landscapes and perennial gardens.
With its compact growth and vivid orange blooms, the Rudbeckia Claire Orange is another AAS winner. Its impressive vigor and heat tolerance allow it to flourish in various conditions, making it a perfect addition to any flower bed or container.
For gardeners seeking a reliable perennial, the Sedum Spectacular stands out with its tight, compact mounding habit and resistance to flopping. Growing to about 14 inches, it produces generous clusters of light pink flowers and thrives in hot, dry conditions, making it perfect for diverse landscapes.
The Zinnia Profusion Double White Improved is designed to maintain its pure white blooms throughout even the hottest summers, resisting the muddy shades common to similar varieties. This compact plant is ideal for both containers and flower beds.
Notably, the Kale Rubybor stands out by winning awards in both ornamental and vegetable categories, a first in AAS history. Its deep purple leaves not only enhance visual appeal but are also tender and non-bitter, ensuring a continuous harvest of high-quality greens.
Additional winners include the Basil Treviso, known for its heat tolerance and slow-to-flower habit, and the Winter Squash Butter Lamp, a mini butternut squash with a rich, buttery flavor. Lastly, the Tomato BadaBing, with its larger-than-usual cherry size, offers outstanding flavor and disease resistance, making it a gardener’s delight.
These new selections from the AAS promise to revolutionize home gardens in 2026. Gardeners are eagerly anticipating the arrival of these award-winning varieties in local nurseries and seed catalogs.
Keep your eyes peeled for these exciting new plants that could transform your gardening experience this season!
