Seven chase FleuroStar 2026 title
Seven breeders are competing for the 2026 FleuroStar Award, which recognises the ornamental variety with the strongest visual impact at retail and point-of-sale.
This year’s finalists reflect several key breeding trends shaping the European bedding and patio plant market, including climate resilience, pollinator support, fragrance, bold foliage contrast and long-season flowering performance.
Takii Europe has entered Cannova® Gold Leopard, a seed-raised canna combining golden-yellow flowers with distinctive red speckling. Strong branching, high flower counts and lush green foliage are designed to deliver premium retail presentation and strong landscape impact.
Suntory Flowers Europe is showcasing Soiree® Lavender Magic, a catharanthus notable for blooms that gradually change colour throughout the season. Alongside its evolving appearance, the variety offers heat tolerance, drought resilience and low-maintenance performance for modern outdoor spaces.
Morel Flowers has entered ELIXIA® Purple, described as the first interspecific cyclamen from seed. By crossing Cyclamen persicum with C. purpurascens, the breeder has combined year-round flowering and fragrance with evergreen foliage and frost tolerance down to –7°C.
A dramatic foliage-and-flower contrast defines Dalina® Maxi Noir Velvet Crush from Florensis and PanAmerican Seed. The dahlia pairs near-black foliage with large velvet-purple double blooms, targeting premium patio and container markets.
Mediterranean-inspired perennial breeding is represented by Origanum French Flair from Selecta one. The compact plant produces abundant purple flowers over a long season while offering strong heat tolerance, pollinator appeal and reliable shelf life for retailers.
Beekenkamp Plants has submitted Petunia Tea Rosette Blend, featuring creamy petals with deep purple-pink centres. Part of the Tea-line series, the variety delivers compact growth, quick flowering and weather resilience without requiring pinching.
Rounding out the shortlist is Salvia Salute® Lavender from Dümmen Orange, combining lavender-pink flowers with deep burgundy calyces for a strong two-tone effect. The perennial also offers repeat flowering, uniform growth and high pollinator attractiveness.
The FleuroStar Award focuses specifically on consumer appeal and retail standout potential, rewarding varieties capable of immediately attracting attention in garden centres and retail displays.
The winner, succeeding Digitalis Hanabee F1 White, will be announced during the FleuroStar Award Ceremony on 11 June at the Suntory Flowers Europe location in Leimuiderbrug.