All-America Selections (AAS) has announced its top 20 garden plants for 2025, including a mix of both edible and ornamental varieties. These plants were chosen based on their performance in trials, with factors like growth speed, disease resistance, and overall appeal taken into consideration. The winners include seven edible plants and thirteen ornamental varieties, each praised for their unique traits and hardiness.
What Is All-America Selections?
AAS is an independent, non-profit organization that enlists over 80 horticultural experts across the U.S. and Canada to evaluate new plant varieties. These plants are tested side by side with existing varieties to see how they perform in real-world conditions. The goal is to identify plants that offer superior traits for home gardeners, from disease resistance to flower size and flavor.
2025 Edible Plant Winners
Basil Piedmont (Regional Winner: Great Lakes and Heartland)
Known for its resistance to downy mildew, this basil also has a strong aroma, refined habit, and an extended shelf life. Judges admired its vigorous growth and overall health, even in tough conditions. (Bred by Garden Genetics and Seeds by Design)
Cauliflower Murasaki Fioretto 70 F1 (National Winner)
This purple cauliflower stands out with long, tender stems and a mild flavor. Its bright purple florets turn fuchsia in vinegar and golden brown when cooked. It matures early, making it easy to harvest. (Bred by Tokita Seed America)
Kohlrabi Konstance F1 (National Winner)
With crack-resistant, long-lasting bulbs, this kohlrabi produces vibrant purple skin and tasty leaves. It also has a longer harvest window compared to other varieties. (Bred by Bejo Seeds)
Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1 (National Winner)
This variety is known for its resistance to bacterial leaf spot disease. The plant produces small, sweet, yellow peppers throughout the season. (Bred by Seminis Home Garden)
Squash Green Lightning F1 (National Winner)
With a small seed cavity and vibrant color, this squash offers more edible flesh. Judges praised its early maturity and its robust flavor, which stands out when cooked. (Bred by Joseph Stern; marketed by PanAmerican Seed)
Squash Thriller F1 (National Winner)
This unique squash changes color as it matures, transitioning from orange to green and cream. It is easy to grow and produces 1-2 pound fruits with eye-catching ridges. (Bred by Sakata America)
Tomato Tonatico F1 (Regional Winner: Mountain/Southwest, Northeast)
This cherry tomato was praised for its great taste, texture, and disease resistance. Its uniform, strongly attached fruit clusters are easy to harvest, and the plant resists cracking and splitting. (Bred by Bejo USA)
2025 Ornamental Plant Winners
Celosia Flamma Pink (National Winner)
This semi-dwarf celosia produces vibrant, long-lasting pink flowers. It thrives in hot, humid weather and has a long vase life, making it a great choice for cut flowers. (Bred by Clover Seed Co., distributed by Sakata Seed Corp.)
Vinca Sphere Polkadot (National Winner)
Known for its beautiful, compact habit, this vinca thrives in dry, hot conditions. It is disease-resistant and blooms throughout the summer, making it perfect for sunny spots. (Bred by Miyoshi & Co. Ltd.)
Zinnia Crestar Mix (National Winner)
This mix of semi-double zinnias in various colors blooms continuously throughout the summer. It is perfect for mass plantings and works well in hot and humid climates. (Bred by Takii Europe)
Dahlia Black Forest Ruby (National Winner)
With its stunning ruby-red flowers and black foliage, this dahlia impressed judges with its disease resistance and durability. It also won the Fleuroselect award in Europe. (Bred by Takii Europe B.V.)
Dianthus Interspecific Capitán Magnifica (National Winner)
This dianthus produces two-toned pink flowers on long stems. It thrives in summer heat and encourages regrowth after a quick shearing. (Bred by Selecta One)
Marigold Mango Tango (National Winner)
This marigold boasts bi-color blooms and provides continuous color throughout the season. It’s perfect for borders and containers and won the Fleuroselect award for performance in Europe. (Bred by Ernst Benary of America, Inc.)
Nasturtium Baby Gold, Baby Red, Baby Yellow (Regional Winner: Heartland, Mountain/Southwest, Northeast)
These compact nasturtiums feature bright yellow, red, and yellow flowers, contrasting nicely with dark-green leaves. They were praised for their uniform compactness and vivid color. (Bred by Takii Europe BV)
Petunia Dekko Maxx Pink (Regional Winner: Great Lakes, Heartland, Northeast, West/Northwest)
This petunia’s compact, fast-growing habit and non-fading pink blooms make it a standout. It withstands rain and harsh weather conditions, making it ideal for summer gardens. (Bred by Syngenta Flowers)
Petunia Shake Raspberry F1 (National Winner)
Known for its heat resistance and vibrant colors, this petunia combines raspberry and lime hues, giving it a unique look throughout the growing season. (Bred by Hem Genetics BV)
Snapdragon DoubleShot Yellow Red Heart F1 (National Winner)
With its early blooms and exceptional heat tolerance, this candy-scented snapdragon stands out for its vigorous growth and long-lasting flowers. (Bred by Hems Genetics)
Zinnia Zydeco Fire (National Winner)
This vibrant zinnia produces large, double orange blooms and is resistant to disease. It was praised for its sturdy stems and durability. (Bred by Syngenta Flowers)
Conclusion
These 20 award-winning plants for 2025 showcase a mix of resilience, beauty, and functionality. Whether you’re looking for edible crops or ornamental flowers, these varieties are sure to thrive in your garden and deliver impressive results.
