This was one of the more surprising plants I saw on day one. Strawberries usually bring the expected white or soft-pink blooms, so seeing a variety with rich ruby-red flowers immediately stood out. The bold flower color gives it real visual impact and makes it feel like the kind of plant that could stop shoppers in their tracks at retail. It also seems especially well suited for containers, baskets, and mixed edible displays, where both the flowers and fruit can shine. I will definitely be interested to see how this one performs and how growers and retailers respond to something that looks so different from the standard flowering strawberry. All photos: Robin Siktberg

This was one of those plants that immediately pulled me in. The soft lavender-blush, fully double flowers paired with the dark foliage create a beautiful contrast, and the whole plant has a polished, upscale feel. It looks like the kind of dahlia that would catch attention at retail but also perform well for gardeners once it gets home. I also liked that it seems versatile enough for containers, patios, cutting gardens, or landscape beds rather than being limited to just one setting. The strong garden performance and powdery mildew resistance only make it more compelling. Overall, this felt like a strong introduction with a lot of potential.

This was one that caught my attention because it seems to check a lot of boxes. It has an early, mounded habit with controlled growth that works well in quart production, but it also has the ability to size up for larger containers and landscape use. I liked that it offers the tidy, finished look growers and retailers want while still having the versatility to perform beyond the pot. It also seems like a smart option from a production standpoint, with strong propagation performance and minimal need for growth regulation. Overall, it came across as a grower-friendly petunia with solid retail potential.

This was one of my favorite plants from Danziger’s display. I loved the soft, dusty purple-blue coloring, which feels right in line with the pastel trend we keep seeing in the market right now. It also felt especially useful for smaller garden spaces because it has a compact, mounded habit but still has enough presence to make an impact in packs, pots, and small landscape spots. Another thing that makes it appealing is the fragrance, which adds a little something extra beyond the flower color alone. It also brings early flower power and better heat tolerance than many other nemesia on the market. Overall, it struck me as a smart introduction with a soft color palette that feels very current.

This was one of the zinnias that really caught my eye at Syngenta. The rich orange-gold blooms reminded me of clementines, and since I already love orange flowers, this one was an easy favorite. Beyond the color, Zydeco™ stands out for its fully double flowers, which are larger than many competing varieties and give the plant even more presence at retail and in the garden. The series is also bred for strong heat, drought, and disease tolerance, so it brings more than just good looks to the table. Overall, it felt like a bright, cheerful variety with bold color and solid garden performance.

The Seaside Serenade series caught my attention at ThinkPlants, and ‘Kitty Hawk’ was the one I kept coming back to. It fits right in with the pastel trend that showed up across several displays on day one, but it also feels especially useful for containers and smaller garden spaces. The full mophead blooms, sturdy stems, and compact habit give it a refined look without making it feel fussy. I also liked that the flower color can shift from soft pink to more purple-blue tones depending on soil conditions, which adds another layer of appeal. For me, this was a standout hydrangea because it paired a softer color palette with the kind of form and garden performance that makes sense for today’s consumers.