Gardeners often have their favorite plants, but experimenting with new ones can bring exciting results. Jessica Damiano, a gardening expert, recently shared insights on finding fresh plant options for home gardeners.
Each year, the nonprofit All-America Selections (AAS) works with over 80 horticultural professionals from the United States and Canada to test new plant varieties. These experts grow the new plants alongside existing ones, evaluating their performance, growth time, disease resistance, and other key features.
After careful analysis, the best-performing plants are named AAS winners. These plants are then introduced to the market the following year. For 2025, 20 plants have earned this honor, with seven of them being edible varieties.
Edible Plant Winners for 2025
Among the winners, two edible plants earned regional recognition. Basil Piedmont, popular in the Great Lakes and Heartland regions, was praised for its disease resistance, especially against downy mildew. Its classic flavor, strong aroma, and dense growth made it a favorite. The plant can also withstand tough growing conditions and has a long shelf life. This variety was developed by Garden Genetics and Seeds by Design.
Another regional winner, Tomato Tonatico F1, impressed judges in the Mountain/Southwest and Northeast regions. This cherry tomato is known for its taste, texture, and disease resistance. Its uniform fruit clusters, which are easy to harvest, make it an attractive option for gardeners. Bejo USA bred this variety.
National Edible Winners
The Cauliflower Murasaki Fioretto 70 F1 is a national winner for 2025. Known for its striking purple flowers, this cauliflower matures early and is easy to harvest. Its mild flavor makes it a beautiful addition to dishes, especially when served raw. When cooked or pickled, it changes color, adding visual appeal. Tokita Seed America is the breeder of this plant.
Another national winner, Kohlrabi Konstance F1, is a purple variety that performs well in both spring and fall. It produces long-lasting, crack-resistant bulbs with smooth, bright skin. Its tasty leaves and extended harvest period make it a versatile choice for gardeners. Bejo Seeds developed this plant.
Other Notable Winners
Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1 was recognized for its outstanding resistance to bacterial leaf spot disease. This plant produces small, sweet peppers throughout the growing season. It was bred by Seminis Home Garden.
Squash Green Lightning F1 received praise for its small seed cavity, which means more edible flesh per fruit. The plant matures quickly and has a flavor that holds up well to seasonings. Green Lightning was bred by Joseph Stern and marketed by PanAmerican Seed.
Squash Thriller F1 stood out for its unique color-changing ability. Its bright, multicolored fruits change as they mature, adding visual interest to gardens. This squash is easy to grow and produces fruits weighing 1 to 2 pounds. Sakata America is the breeder behind this variety.
These new plant varieties offer gardeners exciting opportunities to experiment and grow fresh, flavorful produce in 2025.
