The horticultural world is abuzz with anticipation as the FleuroStar Contest 2025 approaches. Last year’s winner, Dahlia coccinea Dalina Maxi Starburst Pink from Florensis, set a high bar with its stunning anemone-shaped flowers and vibrant pink hues. This year, seven companies have submitted their most impressive novelties, hoping to capture the title of “Winner with the Wow Factor” at the FleuroStar Award Ceremony on June 12.
The ceremony will take place at the Benary, Volmary, Elsner PAC FlowerTrials location in Rijsenhout, Netherlands. Here are the contenders vying for the prestigious award:
Ageratum houstonianum – Monarch Magic (Florensis)
Monarch Magic adds a touch of charm and color with its soft, pompon-like purple flowers. These fluffy blooms attract butterflies, especially Monarchs, and brighten up pots, mixed containers, and hanging baskets with their unique trailing habit. Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, Monarch Magic thrives in sun-drenched spots, making it a smart pick for both consumers and landscapers.
Dahlia LaBella Maggiore Fun – Elmo Ruffle (Beekenkamp Plants)
Elmo Ruffle brings a vibrant energy to any green space with its XL ruffled orange/red flowers. Named after the beloved Sesame Street character, this Dahlia offers a dynamic and unique flower shape that provides an instant energy boost. Ideal for late summer sales, Elmo Ruffle’s extra-large flowers will generate impulse purchases and brighten gardens and patios.
Dianthus Hybrid – It-Girl (Selecta one)
It-Girl is a perennial from the Whetman alpine range, displaying wavy, pink flowers with a slight picotee pattern that will make heads turn. Easy to care for and suitable for small pots, mixed containers, or front-row bedding, It-Girl’s pleasant scent attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Retailers will appreciate its compact plant habit and long shelf life, ensuring a colorful display throughout the sales window.
Digitalis purpurea – Hanabee F1 White (Takii / Florensis)
Hanabee represents the next level in Digitalis breeding, with multiple stems branching from the bottom and white blooms creating a bouquet effect. Its pristine white tubular flowers are a magnet for bees and bumblebees, contributing to biodiversity. Hanabee’s visual appeal and compact format make it a standout at point of sale.
Helianthus annuus – Sunfinity Double Yellow (Syngenta Flowers)
Sunfinity Double Yellow guarantees a sunny garden with masses of double yellow blooms on a continuously flowering plant. Resistant to downy mildew, this medium-sized, bushy sunflower thrives in gardens, larger pots, or mixed containers on patios and terraces. Its innovative flower shape and vibrant color make it a standout choice for consumers.
Pelargonium – Grand Idols Glory Days – Red Orange Bicolor (Dümmen Orange)
Glory Days Red Orange Bicolor is part of the Grand Idols series and displays an abundance of bright red-orange blooms with a bicolor pattern. Its vigorous trailing habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets and containers. This Pelargonium’s heat tolerance and easy care make it a must-have for a hot summer.
Scaevola – Surdiva Super Purple (Suntory Flowers Europe)
Surdiva Super Purple brings next-level impact to the Scaevola category with its vivid, fan-shaped flowers in intense purple. Its naturally compact habit and versatility make it suitable for hanging baskets, smaller containers, and table pots. Resilient in heat, wind, and drought, Surdiva Super Purple ensures performance throughout the summer with minimal effort.
The FleuroStar Award Ceremony promises to be an exciting event, with each contender showcasing its unique qualities and potential for commercial success. The winner will be announced on June 12, and the horticultural community eagerly awaits the reveal of the next plant with the “Wow Factor”.
