UPDATE: The All-America Selections (AAS) has just announced its highly anticipated award-winning flowers and vegetables for 2026, setting the stage for an exciting gardening season ahead. These new varieties, recognized for their exceptional qualities, promise to elevate gardens and landscapes across the nation.
Garden enthusiasts, get ready! The AAS has unveiled a stunning lineup of new award-winning plants, providing gardeners with the best options to enhance their gardens this year. This announcement marks a long-standing tradition since 1932, as the organization recognizes varieties that offer significant improvements over existing options.
Here are the standout winners for 2026:
Coreopsis SunGlobe: Judges were captivated by this perennial’s vibrant, golden yellow blooms that flourish from early summer through fall. Growing to just 12 inches, its compact form makes it perfect for borders and containers while proving resilient in zones 3 and 4.
Dianthus Supra Cherry Picotee: This annual dazzles with its profuse, fringed blooms featuring dark cherry centers and soft pink edges. Standing 12 inches tall and wide, it boasts excellent heat and drought tolerance, ensuring a colorful display across multiple seasons.
Heliopsis Sole Giatto: Known for its long-lasting bright yellow blooms, this perennial grows to 20 inches and is winter-hardy in zones 3 and 4. Its resistance to deer and rabbits makes it a fantastic choice for any garden.
Rudbeckia Claire Orange: A compact, early-flowering variety, this plant produces an abundance of clear orange blooms. Its 12-inch height and exceptional vigor make it ideal for containers or flower beds, thriving in various conditions.
Sedum Spectacular: This winter-hardy perennial impresses with its compact, mounding habit and clusters of light pink flowers. Growing to about 14 inches, it tolerates hot and dry conditions, making it a versatile addition to any landscape.
Zinnia Profusion Double White Improved: Renowned for its pure white blooms that resist discoloration, this zinnia reaches 14 inches in height and 20 inches in width. Its disease-resistant foliage guarantees a stunning display throughout the growing season.
Kale Rubybor: This unique selection stands out in both ornamental and vegetable trials, featuring deep purple foliage and tender leaves. Its compact, bushy nature allows for a continuous harvest of non-bitter greens.
Basil Treviso: Judges praised this basil for its robust growth and heat tolerance, with a notably slower-to-flower habit, ensuring high-quality leaves late into the season.
Winter Squash Butter Lamp: This mini, pumpkin-shaped butternut squash is compact and produces abundant, sweet fruits, making it ideal for small gardens.
Tomato BadaBing: This cherry tomato is slightly larger than typical varieties, with bright red fruits recognized for their outstanding flavor and disease resistance.
These new varieties are set to transform gardens and bring joy to gardeners everywhere. The AAS logo can be found in seed catalogs and plant tags, guiding gardeners towards these exceptional selections.
As the gardening season approaches, enthusiasts should look out for these award-winning plants to enhance their floral and vegetable gardens. The AAS continues to inspire gardeners to cultivate their passion for gardening, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beauty and bounty of nature.
Stay tuned for more updates on gardening trends and best practices as we dive deeper into the 2026 gardening season!
