'Shimmer' Celosia from Johnny's Selected Seeds Named ASCFG Fresh Cut Flower of the Year
Winslow, Maine — June 2026: Johnny's Selected Seeds is proud to announce that 'Shimmer,' a standout celosia variety from its flower breeding program, has been named the 2026 "Fresh Cut Flower of the Year" by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG).
Selected and voted on by ASCFG membership, the award recognizes ease of culture, productivity, and marketability in the cut flower market, making it one of the industry's most respected honors.
"It's the highest honor to receive recognition from the members of The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, a longstanding, bedrock organization for local cut-flower production in North America and beyond," said Hillary Alger, Senior Product Manager at Johnny's. "What makes this recognition truly special is that the members who grow and design with the varieties nominate and vote for their favorites. It is incredibly rewarding to know that our work is adding value to their flower farms and businesses."
'Shimmer' celosia distinguished itself among ASCFG's Seed Trial Results for its ease of cultivation, yield, stem length, and market appreciation rating, making it a favorite for both field production and floral design. It also earned a strong "Grow again" score, indicating that the trialers would invest the time, money, and space to grow the cultivar again.
Featuring full, well-formed plumes in a soft blend of colors, 'Shimmer' showcases a range of pink, peach, gold, and lime pastel hues with a luminous sheen that catches the sunlight. The early-flowering, vigorous, branching plants reach 36–48" tall, yielding multiple 4–8" plumes with an open, airy flower form. Available as certified organic seed, Johnny's Breeding Team began developing 'Shimmer' in 2016.
“Our flower breeding team is proud of the years of work we put into developing Shimmer,” said Emily Starck, Flower Breeder at Johnny’s. “And there's no greater thrill than seeing that effort culminate in a variety that shines for growers in their fields and gardens.”
The flower breeding program at Johnny's continues to focus on developing high-performing, innovative varieties tailored to the needs of professional growers and designed to be growable, reliable, and accessible for growers at every scale. Awards like ASCFG's highlight the program's dedication to quality, reliability, and the advancement of the locally grown cut flower market.
Johnny's 200-acre Research Farm, located in Central Maine, remains the company's center for research and continues as a working farm, with more than 80 acres in active production. Breeding and trialing efforts extend far beyond the state of Maine on the farms of growing partners across North America.
About Johnny's Selected Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds is an employee-owned company dedicated to helping market farmers and avid gardeners succeed. Founded in 1973 and based in Winslow, Maine, Johnny's provides high-quality seeds, tools, and resources to commercial growers and home gardeners worldwide. Johnny's products are 100% guaranteed.
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Joshua D'Errico
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