Meet the 15 Retailers' Choice Awards winners from Cultivate'25

Hydrangea Haba Soft Pink, Ball Seed

Photos © Emily Mills

Hydrangea Haba Soft Pink is a Hydrangea macrophylla meant specifically for hanging baskets ("Haba" is short for "hanging basket"). This new, floriferous hydrangea is a well-branched variety with many double flowers that naturally cascade. With normal pH adjustments, Soft Pink can transform to Soft Blue.

Dalaya Dahlia Series and Venti Dahlia Series, Selecta One

Selecta One won two awards in one for its two dahlia series: Dalaya and Venti. Both have multiple color options and different looks. The new Dalaya additions feature big blooms and bicolors with strong retail appeal, including Pink Lace, with bold pink flowers with white petal tips that bloom all season and are a magnet for butterflies and birds. New colors include Cranberry, Pink Lace, Red Lace, White and Yellow Lace. The new Venti additions are uniform, vigorous, double-flowered dahlias with a broad range of core colors and bicolors. New colors include FireBurst and PinkBurst.

Solar Sisters Rudbeckia, Bloomin’ Easy

This pollinator magnet is hardy in Zones 7 to 9 and features large double blooms that open in a bright yellow with touches of orange, then gradually deepen to a rich copper as cooler nights set in. Solar Sisters flowers from June through the first frost.

Brunnera Frost King, Darwin Perennials

Frost King features extra-large leaves with a strong pattern of silver, with dark green veins and bright blue flowers in spring! It's also deer resistant.

Cortaderia Tiny Pampa, Dig Plant Company

This is a true dwarf pampas grass that reaches only 2 feet in flower. It also does not have the sharp texture of its larger family members. Tiny Pampa flowers abundantly, even as a 1- or 2-year-old plant. It's ideal for small spaces, patio gardens and large containers.

I'Conia Bacio Lemon, Dümmen Orange

This new color in the begonia hybrid I'conia Bacio series features soft yellow double flowers against deep green foliage. It is a uniform, upright variety with a slight cascade, ideal for patio containers, hanging baskets, borders and landscapes. It's also heat and stress tolerant.

Lilium - Asiatic Pot Lily Looks 'Tiny Massive', Growing Colors

Tiny Massive features bicolor black and yellow flowers with a large bud presentation and three to six large flowers per stem. The judges said it would make a strong fall sales item.

Centennial Ruby Hydrangea, Monrovia

This special release celebrates Monrovia's 100th anniversary in 2026. The rich ruby red mophead blooms deepen in color as the long-lasting flowers age, sometimes taking on almost black hues. This rebloomer has sturdy strong stems and thick green leaves in a compact character.

Ajuga Princess Leia, North Carolina Farms/Concept Plants

This ajuga has a dramatic contrast on uniquely patterned leaves with green and white variegated foliage that is crowned with deep purple flowers in spring. North Carolina Farms is a liner producer and gave credit to Concept Plants, who introduced Princess Leia.

Azalea Encore Autumn Kiss, Plant Development Services, Inc. (PDSI)

This new addition to the Encore Azalea line features bicolor semi-double blooms with a deep pink center and outside edge. It flowers heavily and reblooms season after season, with a compact, rounded habit and maturing to 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.

Heart to Heart Midnight Oil, Proven Winners

This near-black, strap-style caladium blends deep green and red tones on arrow-shaped leaves with undulating margins. It grows in part shade, but the coloration is darkest when exposed to direct sunlight.

Climb-itt Sustainable Climbing Poles, FlexStakes, EcoWire and EcoClips, Proven Winners/leafjoy

These plant supports are made from elephant grass and potato skins to create a sustainable choice in climbing and vining houseplant poles. These 100% plastic- and chemical-free supports are designed with climbing plants' natural habitats in mind. By offering the natural, bark-like texture plants would find in the wild, Climb-itt poles attract aerial roots. While Climb-itt poles will last for years indoors, they are completely biodegradable and will break down in the landfill.

Soiree Flamenco Electric Salmon Eye and Plum Velvet, Suntory Flowers/Sun-Fire Nurseries

These two new colors in the Soiree Catharanthus (vinca) hybrid series are well-suited for landscape beds, baskets and containers, with fringed, ruffled petals and striking bicolors. Judges specifically highlighted Plum Velvet for its similarity to real velvet fabric and Electric Salmon Eye for its dark flower center that gradually transitions to softer salmon toward the edges.

Partyball Cherry Tomato and Akoya Cocktail Tomato, Syngenta Flowers

Fun House Black Widow, Syngenta Flowers

The idea of designing around specific colors for spotlighting during particular seasons is gaining traction, and for fall and Halloween, the judges said this petunia fits right in. This new color in the Fun House series is versatile and pairs well with many colors.