Presenting the 2026 Readers’ Choice Award Finalists for Best New Variety
July 8, 2026 After many new introductions earlier this year, some varieties stand out from the rest. Greenhouse Grower will give out three awards in breeding at the Evening of Excellence during Cultivate’ 26 on July 13. One of these awards, the Readers’ Choice Award, is determined based on voting by Greenhouse Grower’s online audience.
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Check out the slideshow above for a closer look at this year’s Readers’ Choice Award finalists, and keep reading to learn more about each variety. The Evening of Excellence is held on Monday, July 13 in the Short North Ballroom at Cultivate’26, powered by AmericanHort. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event begins at 5:30 p.m.
Agapanthus ‘Poppin’ Pink’ (Plant Development Services, Inc.)
This semi-dwarf cultivar develops a well-branched form and produces an early flush of blooms, followed by successive reblooming periods that extend into late summer or fall.
Agastache ‘Honeysticks Gold’ (Dümmen Orange)
Honeysticks Gold features bright-yellow tubular flowers with hints of orange on upright flower spikes that stand above the body of foliage.
Fragaria Pretty, Tasty™ Ruby (ThinkPlants/Terra Nova Nurseries)
Large semi-double red flowers look like miniature roses on sturdy strawberry foliage throughout the spring and summer. Huge clusters of delicious, large berries are produced for months on end.
Pentas StreetArt Series (Benary)
This extra‑large, mounding variety produces oversized, hydrangea‑like flower clusters with strong summer performance and excellent heat tolerance.
Petchoa CitraNova Series (Ball FloraPlant)
CitraNova™ are the first petchoa class from Ball FloraPlant. They have cold tolerance and good branching, holding up in the wind and rain. They also have the bright colors of calibrachoa with the large blooms and strong root system of petunia.
Roseberry Beret (Certified Nurseries)
A unique flower form, rich color, and velvety petal texture give Roseberry Beret undeniable appeal, while the high petal count and strong perfume fragrance make every bloom memorable. Quick repeat flowering keeps the plant covered in color throughout the season, supported by excellent reliability in the landscape.
Felicia Sea Spray (Proven Winners)
Modern breeding in Felicia brings a more heat-tolerant cultivar that doesn’t require cool nights to bloom well, making it easier to produce and sell in warmer climates where it will flower more steadily in the summer. Rare true blue flowers dance atop slender stems that sway in the breeze, attracting pollinating bees and butterflies.
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