Fleuroselect Announces New Gold Medal Winners for 2026

By Fleuroselect|January 22, 2026

Fleuroselect has announced its latest Gold Medal winners. The following selections obtained high marks in innovation, beauty, and garden performance in the Fleuroselect annual trial and convinced judges to award the Gold Medal.

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Bacopa Sutera cordata Galactic Mist White — PanAmerican Seed

All photos courtesy of Fleuroselect
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Coral Bells Heuchera sanguinea Heucherette Pink — PanAmerican Seed
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Sunflower Helianthus Annuus Always Sunny Gold — PanAmerican Seed
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Verbena Verbena bonariensis Flair — Benary
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Zinnia Zinnia hybrid Profusion Double White Imp. — Sakata

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Sunflower Helianthus Annuus Always Sunny Gold — PanAmerican Seed

Come rain or sunshine, the latest Helianthus variety of PanAmerican Seed ensures a summer feeling all season long. The many pollen-free golden flowers of Always Sunny Gold provide a big splash of color, radiating a warm summer glow in the garden. Bees and other beneficial insects indulge in its nectar, contributing to biodiversity.

This Helianthus is suitable for professional production thanks to its compactness in the very early production stage. Landscapers will admire its robustness and extended flowering season, whereas retailers are convinced by the extended shelf life.

In addition to the golden color beams in the garden, consumers can also enjoy Always Sunny Gold as a cut flower in a vase, thanks to its strong, long stems.

Coral Bells Heuchera sanguinea Heucherette Pink — PanAmerican Seed

This Heuchera sanguinea from PanAmerican Seed stands out as the first from seed with strong flowering, producing large pink blooms that mature into rich rose tones, carried on bold yet compact flower spikes. Combined with a unique foliage pattern, it delivers double value in one plant.

Growers will appreciate its compact habit, short stems, and reliable first-year flowering, allowing for fast, annual production. Retailers gain a visually powerful product that looks perfect straight away on the shelf, with abundant flowers that encourage impulse purchases.

For consumers, the combination of decorative foliage and vibrant flower color brings lasting interest and versatility, whether used as a standout plant or combined with other colors.

Bacopa Sutera cordata Galactic Mist White — PanAmerican Seed

A new era of Bacopa begins with Galactic Mist, the first Sutera cordata from seed to deliver flower sizes comparable to vegetative varieties. Developed by PanAmerican Seed, this variety combines pure white blooms with uniformity and performance, creating a refined yet high-impact look in packs and combinations alike.

Growers will appreciate Galactic Mist’s natural branching and compact habit, making it ideal for pack production. As the plant requires no further pinching or PGR use, it stands for sustainable and efficient production.

Retailers benefit from the large, eye-catching flowers and consistent quality, offering a premium product with strong shelf appeal and versatility in mixed containers. Consumers will be drawn to the abundance of large, crisp white flowers that deliver a fresh and elegant look and long-lasting garden performance.

Verbena Verbena bonariensis Flair — Benary

Verbena breeding has made significant steps in recent years, culminating in the innovative Verbena bonariensis Flair from Benary. The bright violet, round-shaped flowers have an eye-catching effect from a distance.

Thanks to its genetic compactness, growers do not need to use PGR or pinching, ensuring an efficient and sustainable cultivation process. As more plants fit on a trolley, shipping becomes easier and more cost-effective. Retailers appreciate the brighter flower color and versatile combination possibilities, creating a strong visual impact.

Consumers will appreciate the striking visual impact, even from a distance, provided by the round-shaped flowers, as well as the decorative appeal in landscape plantings. Beneficial insects visit Flair throughout the summer until frost, contributing to garden wildlife and biodiversity in general. Thriving in the full sun, Flair meets the increasing demand for heat-tolerant plants.

Zinnia Zinnia hybrid Profusion Double White Imp. — Sakata

Meet the latest addition to Sakata’s series of Profusion. As an established market leader in Zinnia, Sakata’s breeding efforts have resulted in significantly larger flowers based on an even more compact plant and enhanced flower longevity.

Growers will be able to run a more efficient and sustainable production thanks to Profusion Double White’s uniformity and nice compact plant habit. The larger flowers and much stronger blooming power will generate a very strong visual impact in gardens and landscapes over an extended period.

With its low maintenance requirements and outstanding garden performance even under challenging weather conditions, Profusion Double White Improved is an ideal crop for home gardeners and landscapers throughout the season.

For additional information on the new Fleuroselect winners, watch the video announcement above and read the official release on the Fleuroselect website.

Fleuroselect is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the ornamental industry. Fleuroselect's members include breeders, producers, and distributors for ornamental plants, and it conducts trials of new ornamental varieties across Europe. See all author stories here.