VOORHOUT, The Netherlands: Fleuroselect is proud to present the 2022 Gold Medal winners. Each one of these breeding breakthroughs obtained an outstanding score on innovation, beauty and garden performance, convincing the organisation’s panel of expert judges to award the coveted Gold Medal.
Helianthus annuus ‘Gummy Bear’
Breeder: HM.Clause
Helianthus annuus ‘Gummy Bear’ features fluffy, fully-double flowers, resembling giant pompons in lemon-yellow. ‘Gummy Bear’ blooms beautifully contrast against the lush green foliage and can spread up to 20 cm wide. The plants are well-shaped, uniform, and can reach a height of approximately 170cm. This new sunflower is suited for both the professional and hobby gardening market, and offers many possibilities for middle-sized or large garden beds.
Gummy Bear is also ideal for landscaping as it adds colour and height to green spaces and provides a dynamic environment.
Myosotis alpestris ‘Bellamy Blue’
Breeder: Floragran
Myosotis Bellamy Blue stands out from the currently available range of Forget-me-nots in that it is smothered with dark blue flowers. A spring flowering favourite, ‘Bellamy Blue’ does not require vernalisation and is therefore suited for a longer season. From a grower’s perspective, ‘Bellamy Blue’ seamlessly fits into any existing Myosotis production scheme. Retailers will welcome the spectacular darker blue colour at moment of sale.
Zinnia hybrid ‘Belize Double Scarlet’
Breeder: Takii
Optimal pot and garden performance, that is what Takii has been aiming for with this brand new Belize Zinnia series. As Belize branches more strongly from the lower node than from the upper one, the plants do not grow upright and keep a dome-like shape. Featuring a truly compact plant habit, this Zinnia offers many commercial possibilities.
Star product of the range, ‘Belize Double Scarlet’ shows eye-catching double, scarlet red flowers and has been awarded a Gold Medal for its remarkable scores in last year’s trial.
‘Belize Double Scarlet’ has a compact growth habit which will allow growers to use significantly less PGRs. Planting density can be increased, production capacity will go up. Retailers will love the entire series of compact Zinnia which allows for a neat, colourful bench presentation. Consumers will appreciate the better branching and vigorous growing habit of ‘Belize Double Scarlet’, which will keep containers and beds visually attractive.
Zinnia x hybrid ‘Profusion Red Yellow Bicolour’
Breeder: Sakata
Zinnia x hybrid ‘Profusion Red Yellow Bicolour’ combines the strong performance of the series with an innovative colour combination of yellow and red. As the blooms age, the hues transform into attractive shades of rosy red, pink and apricot, offering an unequalled colour display on one plant. Growers will see their turnover increase thanks to this Zinnia’s short crop time and strong disease tolerance. Retailers will appreciate this maintenance-free annual with long shelf-life for bench displays. Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor is easy to maintain in the garden and convinces consumers with an incredible performance all season long.
Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor is also the recipient of an AAS (All-America Selections) Gold Medal for performance in North American trials.