UPDATE: The highly anticipated list of 2026’s award-winning flowers and vegetables has just been revealed by the All-America Selections (AAS), sparking excitement among gardeners worldwide. This annual announcement, made today, January 1, 2026, highlights exceptional new varieties that stand out for their unique qualities and superior performance, offering fresh options for gardening enthusiasts.
This year’s selections promise to enhance gardens with vibrant colors, outstanding resilience, and impressive growth habits. Each AAS winner is rigorously tested for its ability to outperform existing varieties, ensuring that gardeners can trust these new additions for their landscapes and edible gardens.
Among the standout winners is the Coreopsis SunGlobe, a perennial that dazzles with its golden yellow blooms and compact form. Judges praised its ability to provide season-long color, making it a perfect choice for container planting or along garden edges. This hardy plant thrives in Zones 3 and 4, ensuring gardeners can enjoy its beauty even in colder climates.
Another eye-catching winner, the Dianthus Supra Cherry Picotee, features stunning, fringed blooms with a unique picotee pattern. This compact, bushy annual is celebrated for its incredible heat and drought tolerance, requiring no deadheading, which allows for continuous color from spring through fall.
The Heliopsis Sole Giatto, a prolific perennial, boasts bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators while resisting deer and rabbits. Judges highlighted its robust performance, making it an ideal choice for landscapes that demand both beauty and resilience.
In addition to these floral highlights, several vegetables also made the cut. The remarkable Kale Rubybor stands out for its deep purple foliage and tender, non-bitter leaves, providing a dual purpose as both an ornamental and edible plant. This kale is a must-have for those looking to enhance both aesthetics and flavor in their gardens.
The list continues with the Tomato BadaBing, featuring bright red fruits that are larger than typical cherry tomatoes, boasting exceptional flavor and disease resistance. Its compact growth makes it suitable for small spaces, appealing to urban gardeners looking to maximize their yield.
Notable mentions also include the Zinnia Profusion Double White Improved, known for its immaculate blooms that stay pure white even in the hottest weather, and the Winter Squash Butter Lamp, a mini butternut squash with a rich, nutty flavor that thrives in limited spaces.
These new selections are not just about aesthetics; they embody the spirit of resilience and adaptability, characteristics that resonate deeply with gardeners everywhere. The AAS logo, with its recognizable red, white, and blue design, signifies quality and innovation in gardening.
As gardeners prepare for the upcoming season, these newly announced varieties offer exciting options to enhance their gardens and landscapes. For those eager to get started, these AAS winners will soon be available in local nurseries and through seed catalogs.
Stay tuned for updates on availability and tips on how to incorporate these award-winning plants into your gardening plans. The 2026 gardening season is poised to be the most vibrant yet, with these exceptional varieties leading the way!
