Jul 28, 2025

15 Retailers’ Choice Awards presented at Cultivate’25

Of 53 nominated products, Retailers’ Choice Awards were presented to 14 exhibiting companies for 15 products on July 14 at Cultivate’25 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Garden Center Group’s Danny Summers and Tim Quebedeaux led the search as garden retailers selected the best new products to bring excitement and noteworthy interest to their stores in the coming  season.

Following are the products that received recognition.

Hydrangea ‘Haba Soft Pink’

Ball Seed

Hydrangea ‘Haba Soft Pink’ is a well-branched variety with many double flowers that cascade to create a phenomenal hanging basket (Haba). With normal pH adjustments, Soft Pink can transform to Soft Blue.

Dahlia Dalyla Lace series and Venti Bicolor series

Selecta One

Retailers were drawn to these dahlias, both with multiple color options and different look between Dalaya and Venti. The new Dalaya Lace additions features big blooms and exotic bicolors that charm with awesome retail appeal. An example is ‘Dalaya Pink Lace’ (above, left), with bold, pink flowers with white petal tips bloom all season and are a magnet for butterflies and birds The new Venti additions are uniform, vigorous series of double-flowered dahlias that brings a range of core colors and exciting bicolors to the market.

Rudbeckia ‘Solar Sisters’

Bloomin’ Easy

This rudbeckia is a magnet for pollinators. Hardy to Zones 7 to 9, it has large double blooms that open in a bright, sunny yellow with touches of orange, then gradually deepen to a rich copper as cooler nights set in.

Brunnera ‘Frost King’

Darwin Perennials

This new brunnera has king-sized leaves with a strong pattern of silver and dark green veins. Bright blue flowers bloom in the spring. Deer resistant.

Cortaderia ‘Tiny Pampa’

Dig Plant Co.

‘Tiny Pampa’ is a pampas grass that only reaches 2 feet tall in flower. It also does not have the sharp texture as its large family members. ‘Tiny Pampa’ flowers abundantly, even as a 1- or 2 year-old plant. Ideal for small spaces, patio gardens and even large containers.

Begonia hybrid ‘I’Conia Bacio Lemon’

Dümmen Orange

This new Lemon color hybrid addition to the I’Conia Bacio series has brilliant blooms that pop against deep green foliage. The upright variety has a slight cascade, ideal for patio containers, hanging baskets, borders and landscapes.

Asiatic lily ‘Tiny Massive’

Growing Colors

Tiny Massive’ combines stunning black yellow flowers with a large bud presentation, with 3 to 6 large flowers per stem. Retailers were wowed by its big character and discussed how it would be a fantastic fall sales item.

Ajuga ‘Princess Leia’

North Carolina Farms/Concept Plants

This ajuga has uniquely patterned leaves with green and white variegated foliage, crowned with deep purple flowers in spring. North Carolina Farms is a liner producer and wanted to give credit to Concept Plants who introduced ‘Princess Leia’.

Hydrangea ‘Centennial Ruby’

Monrovia

‘This special release marks Monrovia’s 100th anniversary. Rich, ruby-red mophead blooms deepen in color as the long-lasting flowers age, sometimes taking on almost black hues. This rebloomer has exceptionally sturdy strong stems and thick green leaves in a compact size.

Azalea ‘Encore Autumn Kiss’

Plant Development Services Inc. (PDSI)

This new addition to the Encore Azalea series has bicolor blooms with a deep color center and outside edge. The rebloomer has a compact, rounded habit and matures at 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.

Caladium ‘Heart to Heart Midnight Oil’

Proven Winners

‘Midnight Oil’ blends deep green and red tones on arrow-shaped leaves with undulating margins. Though it grows in part shade, the coloration is darkest when exposed to direct sunlight, appearing dramatic charcoal black from a distance.

Climb-itt climbing poles, stakes, wire and clips

Proven Winners/leafjoy

Made from elephant grass and potato skins, these plant supports are designed with climbing plants’ natural habitat in mind. By offering the natural, bark-like texture plants would find in the wild, Climb-itt poles attract aerial roots, creating a plant-to-plant relationship that helps them thrive.

Catharanthus ‘Soiree Flamenco Electric Salmon Eye’ and Plum Velvet

Suntory/Sun-Fire Nurseries

These two new colors in the Soiree series feature fringed, ruffled petals and striking bicolors. Plum Velvet has the look and shimmer of velvet fabric, and Electric Salmon Eye (shown) has a dark flower center, gradually transitioning to softer salmon toward the edges.

Tomato ‘Partyball’ and ‘Akoya’

Syngenta Flowers

‘Partyball’ (above, left) is a heavy-cropping variety with sweet, cherry-sized fruits and determinate growth habit. It is proven resistance to Tomato Mosaic Virus strains 1 and 2 and features built in tolerance to late blight. It also maintains plant health and productivity throughout the growing season.

‘Akoya’ (right) features a glossy black color that matures to red with black shoulders. Also, unlike many other tomato varieties that gradually yellow with age, the leaves of ‘Akoya’ will remain a vibrant green throughout the plant’s life.

Petunia ‘Fun House Black Widow’

Syngenta Flowers

‘Fun House Black Widow’ is right at home with fall and Halloween, with its spooky and alluring color. This new color in the Fun House series is versatile, like the basic black dress that looks good paired with just about any color.