Announcing the 2026 Green Thumb Winners from National Garden Bureau
National Garden Bureau (NGB) has announced the winners of the 2026 Green Thumb Awards. This year’s recipients represent the pinnacle of horticultural innovation, recognized for their unique features, great growth habits, exceptional resilience, and groundbreaking aesthetics.
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2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Annual
Dipladenia Sun Parasol FiredUp Coral from Suntory Flowers
All images courtesy of National Garden Bureau (NGB)
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2 of 12
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Edible
Basil Treviso from GardenGenetics and Seeds by Design
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3 of 12
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Garden Product
WaterPlants from Unique Gardener
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4 of 12
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Houseplant
Streptocarpus Lady Slippers Blue Vein from GreenFuse Botanicals
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5 of 12
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Perennial
Crocosmia Dark Fire from Monrovia Nursery
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6 of 12
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Shrub
Hydrangea Centennial Ruby™ from Monrovia Nursery
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7 of 12
2026 “People’s Choice” — Annual
Sunflower Sunfinity™ Yellow-Red Bicolor from Syngenta Flowers
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8 of 12
2026 “People’s Choice” — Edible
Tomato BadaBing! from A.P. Whaley Seeds
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9 of 12
2026 “People’s Choice” — Garden Product
Sunshine Black Bear Potting Mix from SunGro Horticulture
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10 of 12
2026 “People’s Choice” — Houseplant
Pothos Yellow Sunrise from Costa Nursery
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11 of 12
2026 “People’s Choice” — Perennial
Festuca Glow Sticks from Concept Plants
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12 of 12
2026 “People’s Choice” — Shrub
Azalea Encore Autumn Kiss from Plant Development Services Inc.
View all
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Annual
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Edible
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Garden Product
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Houseplant
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Perennial
2026 “Professional’s Choice” — Shrub
2026 “People’s Choice” — Annual
2026 “People’s Choice” — Edible
2026 “People’s Choice” — Garden Product
2026 “People’s Choice” — Houseplant
2026 “People’s Choice” — Perennial
2026 “People’s Choice” — Shrub
The Green Thumb Professional’s Choice Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts based on five criteria:
- Appeal
- Durability
- Garden performance
- Innovation
- Reliability
Additionally, the Green Thumb People’s Choice Award winners are voted on by thousands of home gardeners to determine the People’s Choice winners.
“This year’s winners showcase a shift toward ‘purposeful gardening,’” says NGB President Alicain Carlson. “From a disease-resistant basil to plants for celebrations, these plants aren’t just beautiful—they also solve problems for the modern gardener.”
2026 ‘Professional’s Choice’ Green Thumb Award Winners
The 2026 “Professional’s Choice” Green Thumb Award Winners Include:
- Annual: Dipladenia Sun Parasol FiredUp Coral from Suntory Flowers
- Edible: Basil Treviso from GardenGenetics and Seeds by Design
- Garden Product: WaterPlants from Unique Gardener
- Houseplant: Streptocarpus Lady Slippers Blue Vein from Green Fuse Botanicals
- Perennial: Crocosmia Dark Fire from Monrovia Nursery
- Shrub: Hydrangea Centennial Ruby™ from Monrovia Nursery
2026 ‘People’s Choice’ Green Thumb Award Winners
The 2026 “People’s Choice” Green Thumb Award Winners Include:
- Annual: Sunflower Sunfinity™ Yellow-Red Bicolor from Syngenta Flowers
- Edible: Tomato BadaBing! from A.P. Whaley Seeds
- Garden Product: Sunshine Black Bear Potting Mix from Sun Gro Horticulture
- Houseplant: Pothos Yellow Sunrise from Costa Farms
- Perennial: Festuca Glow Sticks from Concept Plants
- Shrub: Azalea Encore Autumn Kiss from Plant Development Services Inc.
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