‘New Moon’, a cream-colored spray rose, enchanted judges with its plump, uniform flower heads and buttery yellow center, taking top honors in the Society of American Florists’ 2026 Outstanding Varieties Competition, held in conjunction with SAF Amelia Island 2026, the organization’s 141st annual convention Aug. 18-20.
‘New Moon’ was among 165 entries from 28 companies in the competition, sponsored by Chrysal, Syndicate Sales and FloristWare. Presented by Rosaprima, it earned the Ecuadorean farm consecutive Best in Show wins.
“I see dollar bills when I look at this variety,” said judge Sarah Ekberg, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of Lazy Acres Décor and Floral in Wakefield, Nebraska. “It has big blooms that open consistently, which are ideal for wrist corsages, boutonnieres, and hair designs. It’s also a color that’s trending in weddings right now.”
Judge Xavier Alvarez Naranjo, of Protean Farms in Quito, Ecuador, appreciated the blooms’ wide, reflexed shape. “That’s a trait my customers love,” he said. Additionally, he noted how distinctive it is to have a spray rose with equally sized blooms. “Usually, they have two big blooms and two small ones.”
Judge Yerandy Palenzuela, of Continental Floral Greens in Shelton, Washington, echoed this praise. “The blooms are so big that I didn’t immediately register it was a spray rose,” he said. Given the size, quantity and quality of blooms, versatile color, with a subtle, pleasant fragrance to boot, the decision to crown ‘New Moon’ was easy, he said: “This entry has it all!”
Judges scored each entry based on color and commercial appeal, stem and foliage, bloom form and size, and overall presentation. The judging panel, which included three retailers, three growers and three wholesalers, evaluated specific categories of flowers, and the highest scored variety in each category entry won “Best in Class.” From this elite group, judges chose their Best in Show winner.
Best in Class winners:
- Alstroemeria: ‘Green Crown’, presented by Esmeralda Farms
- Cut Bulb Flower: ‘Cloni Success Madame’, presented by Ecoroses
- Cut Chrysanthemum: ‘Pip’, presented by Deliflor Americas
- Cut Dianthus: ‘Wien’, presented by Geoflora
- Cut Garden Rose: ‘Country Berry’, presented by Flower Village
- Other Cut Flower: ‘Natura Moderna Limoncella’, presented by Rosaprima
- Cut Rose: ‘Yoga’, presented by Flower Village
- Breeder’s: ‘Elvina’, presented by Icon Selections
The following SAF members served as judges.
Retail:
- Lacee Bilke, AAF, CFD, OCF, OACF, PFCI, Madeline’s Flowers
- Lorraine Cooper, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, Brady’s Floral
- Sarah Ekberg, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, Lazy Acres Décor and Floral
Wholesale:
- Tom Alders, Alders Wholesale
- Red Kennicott, AAF, Kennicott Brothers
- Gary Staton, Bill Doran Company
Grower:
- Paige Kennicott Jacques, Kennicott Kuts, LLC
- Xavier Alvarez Naranjo, Protean Farms
- Yerandy Palenzuela, Continental Floral Greens
David Mitchell, AAF, of Mitchell’s Flowers & Events, coordinated the Outstanding Varieties Competition with the following volunteers:
- Armando Gutierrez, Mitchell’s Flowers & Events
- Tracy Parke, RJ Carbone Company
- Richard Brancifort, RJ Carbone Company
Katie Vincent is the senior contributing editor for the Society of American Florists.
