Readers' Choice Best of the Rest
Vote for your favorite among this year's new Best of the Rest introductions.
Voting is now open for Greenhouse Grower’s 2026 Readers' Choice Award!
It's time for you, our readers, to decide which variety is chosen as the best new introduction in 2026. Breeders have entered their best new varieties for you to decide which one is worthy of the Readers’ Choice award. The Readers' Choice winner will be announced July 13 at Greenhouse Grower's prestigious Evening of Excellence reception during Cultivate'26 in Columbus, OH.
The voting schedule is as follows:
May 19 to May 25: Annuals
May 26 to June 1: Perennials
June 2 to June 8: Best of the Rest
June 9 to June 15: Finalist Voting
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this page to view photos and descriptions of all the contenders in the Best of the Rest category. There are four entries this year. One vote per person, please.
Please note: You will find the voting form at the end of the entries, near the bottom of the page.
Endless Summer® DreamCloud® Reblooming Hydrangea (Endless Summer® Hydrangeas)
Colors: White, Dark Green
Uses: Focal point, hedge, decorative pot
Plant Habit: Upright, rounded
Description: Endless Summer® DreamCloud® Reblooming Hydrangea is the newest addition to the Endless Summer® Hydrangea collection. With lush foliage and dreamy white blooms that cover the plant, DreamCloud® brings unique charm, beauty, and adaptability to the lineup. With brighter, longer-lasting white mophead blooms that stay clean and rebloom well into fall, DreamCloud® delivers sophistication, resilience, and reliable performance. Not to mention its resistance to foliar diseases including Cercospora making it a fantastic low maintenance choice. DreamCloud® stays compact and is perfect as a focal point, mid-size hedge, or for use in decorative containers.
Roseberry Beret™ (Certified Nurseries)
Colors: Deep magenta
Uses: Cut flower, landscape garden, and patio containers
Plant Habit: Tall, round & upright
Crop Time: Spring to first frost
Description: This rose stands out from the moment it blooms! A unique flower form, rich color and velvety petal texture give it 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. Unlike many highly fragrant roses, it also offers impressive vase life, extending its value beyond the garden. Bred in France, this variety brings together beauty, performance and lasting impact in one unforgettable rose.
Fragaria Pretty, Tasty™ Ruby (ThinkPlants/Terra Nova Nurseries)
Colors: Red
Uses: Hanging baskets, strawberry pots, in-ground production
Plant Habit: Clumping
Crop Time: (Liner to Finish): 4–6 weeks (4") / 8–10 weeks (Gallon)
Description: New "Edimental" is a delicious and beautiful berry all in the same plant. 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. A clumping variety, few runners are produced. Ideal for hanging baskets, strawberry pots and in-ground production. This was a standout at CAST 2026!
Hydrangea Blast from the Pastel™ (Plant Development Services, Inc.)
Colors: creamy white, soft yellow, and subtle pastel shades
Uses: foundation plantings, focal points in mixed borders, garden backdrops, cottage-style gardens, entryways and pathways, and cut flower gardens
Description: Hydrangea Blast from the Pastel™ presents a refined display of color and texture, with oversized panicles composed of star-shaped blooms in creamy white, soft yellow, and subtle pastel shades. This nuanced coloration enhances landscape depth, combining classic appeal with a sophisticated contemporary presence. Reaching a mature size of 4’ tall by 5’ wide and demonstrating adaptability across Zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade, Blast from the Pastel™ offers reliable performance and serves as a prominent focal point in both formal and relaxed landscapes. Available to trade through Southern Living® and Sunset® Plant Collections in 2026.
More About the Medal of Excellence Awards
In Greenhouse Grower’s Medal of Excellence Awards tradition, three awards are presented for breeding:
The Readers’ Choice Award is voted on online by our readers. Breeders submit their top plants for consideration for this award.
The Industry’s Choice Award is selected by a panel of industry members who attend Spring Trials and see introductions in person.
The Editor’s Choice Award is chosen by Greenhouse Grower Content Specialist, Marisa Reyes. See Greenhouse Grower's 2025 Medal of Excellence Winners
Winners of all of these awards, along with awards for Medal of Excellence in Industry Achievement, Technology of the Year, Head Grower of the Year, and Operation of the Year, will be announced July 13 at the Evening of Excellence reception at Cultivate’26 in Columbus, OH. Please plan to join us!