(Credit: All-American Selections)
“There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter. One is the January thaw. The other is the seed catalogues.”—Hal Borland
While seed catalogs largely have given way to internet websites, reviewing the new bedding plants introduced each year still is both therapeutic and motivational. The year 2025 witnessed the release of dozens of new annual herbaceous ornamentals. While new may not always better, gardeners might want to trial new varieties and make that determination for themselves. Following is a description of several new bedding plants that should perform well in Missouri.
Flowering annuals such as these petunias provide a virtual "riot" of color all summer long.
Ageratum Monarch Magic (Ageratum houstonianum). Butterfly lovers must grow this one-of-a-kind spreading ageratum that monarchs can’t resist. Monarch Magic brings so many pollinators to your outdoor spaces; your garden will be in a flutter. Its vigorous and unique, spreading habit helps it tumble out of hanging baskets, and over balconies and window boxes. Gardeners will appreciate this ageratum’s drought tolerance and low maintenance; it stays tidy by hiding spent flowers to provide a continuous summer of blooms. From Ball FloraPlant.
Angelonia AngelFlare™ (Angelonia angustifolia). The new AngelFlare™ series gives gardens flair with its open, V-shaped habit. This helps it blend well and intertwine throughout combos with other heat-loving plants. The colorful flower stalks are durable for all types of environments, and they punch-up any pairing with style and texture that lasts well into summer. Available in cranberry, orchid pink, and AngelFlare black, a never-before-seen color in angelonia that is sure to add drama and elegance to any garden space. From Ball FloraPlant.
Angelonia Guardian Angel™ Berry Sparkler (Angelonia angustifolia). Guardian Angel is a tall angelonia that works excellent as a container item, combination "thriller," or in the back of a landscape border. Its huge bicolor flowers are vibrant against glossy dark green leaves on tall stems. Also, it thrives in extreme heat and humidity ensuring color deep into the heat of summer. From Ball FloraPlant.
Begonia Adora™ Emerald Salmon (Begonia x hybrida). Adora begonia flowers all summer. You will get beautifully elegant double flowers on top of green foliage that grows in a mounded habit. Adora begonias are of medium vigor and can be grown in a range of container sizes. With continuous flowering and easy maintenance, it keeps a garden colorful all summer. From Syngenta Flowers.
Begonia Viking White on Green (Begonia x hybrida).). Viking® is a begonia that tolerates both sun and shade. It delivers high-impact color in all types of weather begonia. Viking White on Green has pure white flowers which are attractive against its deep green foliage. From Sakata Seed America.
Calibrachoa Apricot Dream (Calibrachoa x hybrida). Calipetite® is a true breakthrough in calibrachoa breeding. It is a naturally compact mound of color that does not require any growth regulators or supplemental lighting. This sweet series is ideal for mini color bowls, ships well and delivers irresistible retail shelf appeal and high sell-through. Apricot Dream features tons of colorful golden-scarlet-orange star patterned flowers. From Sakata Seed America.
Calibrachoa LIA™ Abstract Lemon Cherry (Calibrachoa x hybrida). LIA™ Abstract Lemon Cherry Calibrachoa is the new addition to the LIA™ series. It dazzles with vibrant golden-yellow blooms accented by a bold cherry-red splash, making it an irresistible choice for any garden. Designed with a controlled, semi-trailing growth habit, this variety is perfectly suited for hanging baskets and combination. Tested for pH sensitivity, it blooms in a 10-hour day. 2025 People’s Choice Green Thumb Award Winner. From Danziger.
Calibrachoa MiniFamous® Uno Funtopia (Calibrachoa x hybrida). Enjoy a fun splash of soft color with this novelty color extension of the Uno series of MiniFamous® Calibrachoa. The medium-compact habit of Funtopia Pink and Funtopia Blue makes it great for hanging baskets and tabletop centerpiece bowls. The tie-dye-like pattern is fresh and modern to attract attention to a garden, and the semi-double flowers are whimsical and sweet. It is great for mixing in as a textural element with other sun-loving plants for custom patio combos. From Selecta One.
Canna Cannova Gold Leopard (Canna x generalis). Introducing Cannova F1 Gold Leopard, a stunning addition to the Cannova series. This variety features golden yellow petals with red spots, adding a captivating burst of color to any garden. With a taller plant habit, Cannova F1 Gold Leopard stands proudly, providing vertical interest to beds and borders. Its vigorous growth and exceptional garden performance ensure a spectacular display throughout the season. Contrasted against lush green foliage, the vivid blooms create a dazzling focal point. From American Takii, Inc.
Canna Cannova Gold Leopard (Canna x generalis). Introducing Cannova F1 Gold Leopard, a stunning addition to the Cannova series. This variety features golden yellow petals with red spots, adding a captivating burst of color to any garden. With a taller plant habit, Cannova F1 Gold Leopard stands proudly, providing vertical interest to beds and borders. Its vigorous growth and exceptional garden performance ensure a spectacular display throughout the season. Contrasted against lush green foliage, the vivid blooms create a dazzling focal point. From American Takii, Inc.
Celosia Arrabona Pink (Celosia argentea var. plumosa). This new celosia boasts a sturdy and well branched plant habit with an exceptionally long flowering season. Tolerant to drought; loves the heat and humidity. Requires little maintenance, making it very suitable for garden beds and landscaping. Tolerant of heat and humidity, it displays excellent outdoor performance and is great in ground and containers. Bright Pink massive flower spikes flower freely all through growing season. From Hem Genetics BV.
Celosia Bright Sparks™ (Celosia plumosa). Bright Sparks™ will give a blazing garden performance with large plumes of brilliant color on a well-branched, medium sized plant. This superior landscape celosia also does well in containers and resists color fading while giving repeat flowering all season long. From Hem Genetics BV.
Celosia Burning Embers (Celosia plumosa). Burning Embers is a brand new AAS winning celosia. This one-of-a-kind plant has large, bright and showy red plumes with attractive bronze foliage to complement its color. Burning Embers has strong branching and flowering, is heat and drought-tolerant, and its vibrant plumes retain color longer into the season. It is the perfect plant for consumer satisfaction. From Sakata Seed America.
Coleus Lemon Zest (Solenostemon scutellarioides). From the breeders at GardenGenetics® comes Coleus Lemon Zest. This new addition to the GardenChoice™ line brings a touch of radiance to gardens and containers with bright yellow toned foliage, splashed with purple down the center. Coleus Lemon Zest is a self-branching, densely shaped, and reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. This late-flowering variety generally does not flower before Labor Day, brings season-long color to your gardens and landscape containers, and thrives in both sun and shade. From Garden Choice Plants.
Cosmos Sea Shells Red (Cosmos bipinnatus). Sea Shells Red is a charming and unique flower that brings a delightful touch to any garden. Known for its distinctive, tubular petals that resemble seashells, this variety showcases a beautiful palette of soft pinks and whites, adding a romantic flair to flower beds and arrangements. The flowers also make excellent cut flowers, offering a long vase life of 7 to 10 days, which means you can enjoy their beauty indoors as well. 2025 Professional’s Choice Green Thumb Award Winner. From SAHIN Home Garden - Takii Europe.
Dahlia Black Forest Ruby (Dahlia pinnata). Like a walk through a fairy tale forest, this newest AAS Winner emerged from the AAS trials in a burst of brilliant color. Black Forest Ruby is a “gem” of a plant featuring striking deep black foliage and abundant ruby-red flowers. Blooms range from semi‐double to double, enhancing its diversity and charm. This is a seed-raised variety with pinnate leaves that has impressive overall durability. Plants are sturdy, do not flop open, and are disease-free all season long. From American Takii.
Dahlia Hypnotica® Candy Corn (Dahlia hybrida). Candy Corn is a new fun and vivid variety added to the Hypnotica® series of dahlias. Named for its candy look-alike pattern with bright yellow, orange, and white. It has a medium-vigorous habit and fantastic branching. It is ideal for larger container sizes and creates fantastic garden display all summer. From Dummen Orange.
Dahlia MYSTIC Wizard (Dahlia hybrida). Dahlia Mystic Wizard is the newest addition to the popular MYSTIC DAHLIAS™ collection. This new dahlia boasts fashionable filigreed deep mahogany to black foliage topped with jewel tone blooms. Mystic Wizard has rich, magenta flowers with a dark black central disc. It is a great addition to the pollinator garden, ideal for containers, garden border or mass landscape plantings. Compact rounded habit. Ultimately 3 feet x 2 feet. No staking required. From PlantHaven International, Inc.
Dahlia Rocco Ball (Dahlia hybrida). 'Rocco' Ball Dahlia is a mighty, miniature delight. Small, compact blooms in brilliant berry pink are perfect for bouquets. A cut flower gardener's dream, 'Rocco' produces abundant blooms from late summer all the way to frost. From American Meadows Inc.
Dahlia Venti™ Magenta + White Eye (Dahlia pinnata). Venti is a vigorous dahlia series for gardens or large-size patio containers. It makes an excellent thriller in mixes when paired with other sun-loving plants. The new Magenta + White Eye is a bicolor pink-and-white stunner that pops against deep green foliage. It’s a modern and appealing hue that will capture attention in any garden space. Dahlias attract pollinators, too, for added enjoyment outdoors. Venti’s double-flowered form is the perfect landing pad for butterflies. From Selecta One.
Dipladenia Sun Parasol® FiredUp Orange (Dipladenia hybrid). Ignite your outdoor space with the thrilling new Sun Parasol FiredUp. This standout dipladenia boasts a unique, flat pinwheel-shaped flower that's sure to captivate. Its upright growth habit and narrow leaves create a sleek, modern look. Perfect for adding a fiery punch of orange color to your patio or garden, FiredUp is the ultimate plant to get your space "fired up" with beauty. From Suntory Flowers.
Fan Flower Surdiva® Fashion Pink Improved (Scaevola hybrid). Surdiva Fashion Pink Improved has a unique dark pink color in unique whorls of fan-shaped blooms. These heat-loving plants have strong flower power and are perfect for hanging baskets, containers and flowerbeds. From Suntory Flowers.
Geranium Falcon Series (Pelargonium x hortorum). A seedless seed geranium! This new series represents a breeding breakthrough, no more deadheading your geraniums. Unlike other seed geraniums, Falcon was selected to not set self-seed and will continue flowering in your garden all season long without the extra work of deadheading. Bright colors on strong plants make this the easy choice for your garden or patio containers. Available in five colors: orange, scarlet, salmon, violet, and white. From Express Seed Co.
Geranium Glory Days Red Orange Bicolor (Pelargonium interspecific). Part of a new series of geraniums, Glory Days Red Orange Bicolor is a beautiful heat tolerant variety with single flowers that are self-cleaning. It has a trailing habit that is medium to vigorous; great for hanging baskets. The foliage is green and Edema free. This new hybrid geranium has the attractiveness of an ivy, but with the growing characteristics of a zonal geranium, making it a great garden performer. From Dummen Orange.
Impatiens Beacon® Chicago Mixture (Impatiens walleriana). Brighten your shade garden spaces with this new lighthouse mix from the Beacon® Impatiens brand. Named for the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse in Lake Michigan, new Chicago Mixture combines the colors Violet Shades, White, and a new bloom color not yet on the market – Blue Pearl! Beacon looks vibrant in the shade, and they offer high resistance to the widely prevalent populations of Plasmopara estructor, the cause of impatiens downy mildew. From PanAmerican Seed Co.
Impatiens SunPatiens Compact Lavender (Impatiens x hybrida). The trusted name in sun-loving impatiens. A new SunPatiens color, Compact Lavender offers full sun/shade versatility. Large lavender-pink blooms offer a cooling effect to summer displays. Very floriferous and strong mounding habit. From Sakata Seed America.
Mandevilla Sun Parasol® Original XP Bluephoria™ (Mandevilla hybrid). New Sun Parasol® Bluephoria™ is a breathtaking breakthrough in mandevilla. Coral-pink buds open to reveal stunning, velvety dark blue-purple blooms. Its compact size, abundant branching, and nonstop flowering make it perfect for gardens, containers, and hanging baskets. From Suntory Flowers.
Marigold Mango Tango (Tagetes patula). It is said that it takes two to tango but, in this case, AAS Winner Mango Tango is the only marigold you’ll need to make an impressive garden statement. Mango Tango dances through the garden strutting its stuff: a stunning, super-saturated bi-color flower of yellow and red. Compact, vigorous plants bloom prolifically over a long flowering window to make an eye-catching display that will wow your garden audience. From Park Seeds.
Nasturtium Baby Red (Tropaeolum minus). Tropaeolum Baby Red dazzles with its intense red flowers and compact, mounding plant shape. Its dark foliage creates a striking contrast with its vibrant blooms. Ideal for containers and small gardens, this variety adds a bold splash of color and charm, making it a perfect choice for enhancing any garden space with minimal effort. From American Takii, Inc.
Ornamental Pepper Acapulco™ XP (Capsicum annuum). The bright, bold colors of this ornamental pepper plant match the summer and fall season for fun décor indoors or out. The plants are naturally compact and grow well in small-size containers. They have excellent indoor performance, offering a unique houseplant or plant gift. Fruit has heat but no flavor and is not meant for consuming, but the fun shapes bring interest and texture. From PanAmerican Seed Co.
Petunia CAPELLA™ Rim Raspberry (Petunia x hybrida). The CAPELLA™ series might just be the perfect petunia for home gardeners. CAPELLA™ Rim Raspberry Petunia features large, show-stopping, vibrant violet blooms that are rimmed in bright white. Perfect in containers, hanging baskets or as a landscape plant, you'll be drawn to this petunia again and again. It's easy to grow, with plenty of bloom power. From Danziger.
Petunia Dekko™ Maxx™ Pink (Petunia x hybrida). Dare to go bigger. This new petunia has maximum vigor which is ideal for landscape coverage and color. It’s smaller flower size and low spreading habit deliver outstanding durability in the toughest landscape conditions. From Syngenta Flowers.
Petunia E3 Easy Wave® Rose Morn (Petunia x hybrida). What a stunner. E3 Easy Wave Rose Morn will soften garden palettes with blooms of consistent rose-pink hues and a contrasting white center. The little peek of yellow is a cheerful sight and welcoming at entrances or on patios. The E3 Easy Wave series is a special collection of early-flowering Easy Wave® Petunias. They offer a tidy plant structure and yet still fulfill the promise of easy, spreading color. From PanAmerican Seed Co.
Petunia Easy Wave® Navy Velour (Petunia x hybrida). Do you have a favorite dark blazer or moody, oversized sweater in your closet. That’s the vibe that Easy Wave Navy Velour gives your garden. Blanket your intimate outdoor spaces with these large, velvety, blue-purple-black flowers and embrace a new era. Easy Wave Petunias are fast-growing and are the most versatile for your garden. Grow them in the ground or in any basket or patio container. Tolerant of the heat and cooler night conditions, it mixes well with other sun-loving flowers! From PanAmerican Seed Co.
Petunia Easy Wave® Rose (Petunia x hybrida). Looking for that perfect shade of pink. Easy Wave Rose is a distinct color nestled somewhere between a passionate pink and neon. You’ll love its iridescence and the way it stands out in a garden. Easy Wave Petunias are fast-growing and are the most versatile. Grow them in the ground or in any basket or patio container. They tolerate the heat and cooler night conditions well. Enjoy them in dozens of decorator colors to match your personal style. From PanAmerican Seed Co.
Petunia F1 Shake Series (Petunia x hybrida). F1 Petunia x hybrida Shake™ is a real color breakthrough in our genetically compact hybrid Petunias. This new Shake F1 series is seed raised and combines unique flower colors with genetically compact petunia plant habit and flowering speed. The Shake Series offers unique color combinations and patterns and flowering habit between grandiflora and multiflora types. Current varieties, Shake Blueberry, Shake Strawberry and Shake Raspberry which was an All-American Selections winner. From Hem Genetics BV.
Petunia Painted Love™ Purple (Petunia x hybrida). The unique bicolor flower pattern of this new petunia presents a dramatic new look in the garden, planted alone or in combinations. It has a mounding growth habit and is perfect for hanging baskets and patio containers. It displays outstanding garden resilience and flower stability for continued performance all summer long. From Syngenta Flowers.
Petunia SuperCal Premium Rose Pink (Petunia x Petchoa hybrid). When it comes to garden performance, SuperCal and new SuperCal Premium are uniquely superior to all other petunias. Part petunia, part calibrachoa, they are all-weather performers that can stand up to cold and heat. Plus, they can withstand heavy rains and bounce right back with little to no damage. The new color, Rose Pink, has large, vibrant pink flowers all summer long. Its companion introduction Rose Star Rose has large, flat flowers that feature a unique, watercolor star pattern. From Sakata Seed America.
Petunia Surfinia® Heavenly Blackberries & Cream (Petunia x hybrida). Indulge your senses with the delectable beauty of Heavenly Blackberries & Cream petunia. This stunning Surfinia® petunia boast creamy white blooms adorned with a captivating, deep blackberry jam center – a truly irresistible combination. Known for their exceptional garden performance, Surfinia® petunias deliver endless blooms and thrive even in rainy conditions. Heavenly Blackberries & Cream petunia is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to containers, hanging baskets, or beds and borders. From Suntory Flowers.
Petunia Trilogy Gen 2 (Petunia x hybrida). Trilogy is a hybrid petunia bred to help the grower, retailer and consumer. It requires less growth regulators, lasts longer on the retailer shelf display and performs in the garden with minimal care. A multiflora petunia with a novel dome habit, it flowers prolifically on compact spreading plants. Uniformity across all colors with a controlled habit, it is less day length sensitivity than other spreading petunias. From American Takii, Inc.
Portulaca MEGA PAZZAZ Papaya Twist (Portulaca oleracea). MEGA PAZZAZ Portulaca can handle extreme heat and low water conditions without sacrificing bloom power. The mega-sized flowers grace the garden with striking colors and semi trailing habit. The vibrant MEGA PAZZAZ Papaya Twist blooms are an attention-grabbing yellow and orange with a new twist pattern. From Danziger.
Sorghum Prarie Pearls™ (Sorghum bicolor). The Prairie PearlsTM Sorghum is an excellent choice for enhancing cut flower arrangements. With its natural color options, interesting texture, and impressive vase life, this ornamental grass is becoming increasingly popular for bouquets, arrangements, and home décor. Whether used fresh or dried, it adds a touch of elegance and versatility to any floral display. It is the first F1 hybrid sorghum of this type, producing 5 to 7 stems per plant and is easier to harvest than older varieties. From Express Seed Company.
Sunflower Sunfinity® Double Yellow (Helianthus annuus). Enjoy endless blooms all season long with this innovative double-flowered vegetative sunflower. Sunfinity® promises unmatched garden performance with continual flowering and a high resistance to powdery mildew throughout the summer season. Works great in both large patio containers and in ground. From Syngenta Flowers.
Verbena Empress® Sun Kiss White (Verbena Verbena). Part of a brand-new series of verbena with heat and humidity tolerance, Empress® Sun Kiss White is perfect for containers and the landscape. Its mounding growth habit with compact-medium vigor make this verbena ideal for premium containers. Its flowers appear on all sides of the plant which provide an umbrella of color, unlike other verbena. From Dummen Orange.
Verbena VANESSA Bicolor Light Pink (Verbena x hortensis). The VANESSA verbena series is a must-have for home gardeners because of its proven mildew resistance, excellent adaptability to environmental changes and long-lasting bloom power. VANESSA Bicolor Light Pink, new for 2025, is the perfect addition to any container or hanging basket combination. It also creates a lovely groundcover in the landscape. From Danziger.
Vinca Nirvana® XDR (Catharanthus roseus). This new vinca is built for summer heat and resilient garden performance. It’s the only vegetative vinca with proven XDR level resistance to multiple strains of aerial Phytophthora, which means healthier plants throughout the season. A true heat lover, Nirvana XDR keeps blooming through the intense heat of summer. From Syngenta Flowers
Vinca Soiree® Double Orchid (Catharanthus hybrid). Soiree® Double Orchid blooms have two distinct layers of frilly lilac purple petals that will light up any garden with their amazing flower coverage, vibrant colors, and deep glossy green foliage. These plants keep their tight compact form all summer, with no leggy branches and tons of flower power. From Suntory Flowers.
Vinca Titan-ium (Catharanthus roseus). Gardeners get extra protection from the fungal disease aerial Phytophthora with new Titan-ium Vinca. The plants are fast to flower and boast superior branching and large-size blooms. This new series is available in a full range of top colors: Apricot, Blush, Dark Red, Really Red, Punch, Polka Dot, White, and a Mixture. The flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plants are drought- and heat-tolerant and are generally low maintenance. From PanAmerican Seed Co.
Zinnia Zydeco™ Fire (Zinnia marylandica). Inspired by the lively, foot-stomping music of Southwest Louisiana, this AAS winning zinnia bursts with sunshine-bright, fully double flowers. Picture a kaleidoscope of fiery orange blooms, swaying on sturdy stems all summer long, right up until the first frost. All-America Selection judges across North America couldn’t resist its infectious charm – Zydeco boasts not only incredible flower power but also long-lasting blooms on disease-resistant foliage. This new zinnia is the perfect way to add a vibrant melody to your garden’s symphony of color. From Ball Seed Co.
Acknowledgement: Adapted from an article by the National Garden Bureau. Pictures of all introductions can be found at https://ngb.org/new-plants/.