Proven Winners Top 5 New Annuals for 2025

The Proven Winners company, made up of propagators from all over the world, have been known for producing top quality new plant introductions since its inception in 1992. New PW annual introductions have been trialed and tested in many areas of North America before it is welcomed to the retail market. Lets take a look at my Top 5 choices for 2025! 

Space Age ‘Black Hole’ Rex Begonia

(Begonia rex Space Age ‘Black Hole’)

Mature Height: 38-46 cm        Mature Spread: 38-46 cm

With a name like Space Age Black Hole, I was not entirely sure what to expect from this new Rex Begonia. It is a stunner! SA Black Hole has shiny silver leaves with black jagged edges, dark green veining and a burgundy/black center.

The Rex Begonia is native from SE India to SE China. They are rhizomatous begonias and can also be used as houseplants. Rex Begonias are grown for their leaf color and unique leaf shapes rather than their blooms. They are dense mounding plants and do well in a part shade to shade location. A full sun location will burn their leaves. SA Black Hole is a hybrid Rex Begonia (a cultivar) so will not grow true from seed. The tiny flowers are red.

In a PW mixed container recipe SA Black Hole is labelled as a filler.

This begonia loves a rich aerated soil and a pot with excellent drainage. Two other new introductions for 2025 are Space Age Europa and Space Age Triton. To protect the leaves, it is advisable to water from the bottom and remove any standing water left in the drainage tray.

Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season with a half strength application of water soluble 20-20-20. Water your begonia with warm water before fertilizing and mix the fertilizer into warm water as well. Do not use a fertilizer with a high N content –ex: 20-5-5.  Avoid fertilizing newly transplanted Rex Begonias.

Dahlia Virtuoso Collection or Series

Dahlia variabilis ‘Baldadendre’

A new collection or series of double flowering annual dahlias from Proven Winners. The flower colors are so bright and rich; you will want one or more of each! My favorites are Rad Raz – a knockout bright deep coral, and Vibrant Violet – deep rich pink violet blooms.

Other cultivars in the series are Classy Carmine, Dayglo Yellow, and Pinkerific. I love the names PW gives its flowering plants!

The blooms are large, held above the foliage and attract all types of pollinators – especially butterflies. You must deadhead these beauties to encourage non-stop blooms. They also make great cut flowers.

Mature Height: 38-46 cm                   Mature Spread: 30-46 cm

Place in a bright light or full sun location but only after you have acclimatized them to the outdoors.

Plant in a rich soil with good drainage, either in containers or in a flower bed amended with compost. They do not like cold soil so wait until the soil temperature is 15C or higher to put them outside. Plant in odd numbered groups or as a thriller in mixed containers for a vibrant shot of color in your garden.

Water the new plantings regularly until established; then deeply once a week. Water dahlias at ground level or with a drip irrigation system. This will help to avoid powdery mildew. Container plantings should be checked daily for water needs.

In trials, the Virtuoso Dahlia Series has proven to have tough, strong growth, powdery mildew tolerance, and a long season of bloom.

Fertilize once a month during the growing season with a low nitrogen water soluble fertilizer. Ex: 5-10-10   or 10-20-20.

Stardiva Series Scaevola   (Fanflower)

Stardiva is a new variety of the Scaevola aemula plant. The small flowers look like a five petal star. Available in deep violet pink, bright pink and bright white. Scaevola aemula is native to Australia and Polynesia (including Hawaii).

Until now, I have never been a big fan of Scaevola in any color.  The plant form was always too low for me and the flowers were five petals but in a fan shape.

Stardiva is an entirely new variety of Scaevola which is very exciting. The star shaped flowers and upright plant form give these plants a fuller look than the original Scaevola. The flowers are found up and down the stems. Pollinators love them, especially bees.

Mature Height: 10-20 cm                  Mature Spread:  25-36 cm

Place in a full sun location and enjoy flowers in spring, summer and fall. And best of all, they do not require deadheading! In a PW mixed container they are classified as a filler.

Scaevola Stardiva plants are tough as nails. Once established they can tolerate drought, and do well in sun, heat, excessive humidity, rain and windy locations.

They like an average soil mix with good drainage and aeration.

Fertilize Stardiva Scaevola once a month during the growing season with a water soluble well balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. Water the plant before fertilizing.

Totally Tempted Series Cuphea

Cuphea procumbens Totally Tempted

There are four cultivars in the Totally Tempted Series. They are ‘Richly Red’, ‘Vivid Violet’, ‘Frosted Violet’, and ‘Watermelon Wine’.

Cuphea is usually known as the Firecracker plant due to its cigar shaped flowers. This new series has a totally different bloom type with five twisted petals in pinks, purples and violets.

Mature Height:  20-41 cm        Mature Spread:   30-46 cm

Place in full sun for continual bloom until the first frost. Shady locations cause the plants to stretch and not flower well. Bonus:  No deadheading required!

Container recipe - Filler

Plant in average soil with good drainage and aeration. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Do not let it sit in water.

Very pollinator friendly. Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies love them.

Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble balanced flowering plant fertilizer. Water these plants before feeding.

Cuphea is a heat lover and grows very well in high humidity.

Just when you thought we have enough coleus varieties/cultivars in this world, another one comes along that you just have to have! It reminds me of Cousin It in the Adam’s Family movies!

Coleus Colorblaze p. scutellarioides ‘Mini Me Chartreuse’

Mature Height:  30-51 sm        Mature Spread:  24 – 46 cm

Mini Me is the newest addition to the very popular Colorblaze Series of Coleus. Chartreuse is such a popular color in the gardening world and this one does not disappoint. The bright chartreuse color and feathery leaf texture are sure to stand out in your mixed baskets or container plantings (use in container recipes as a filler). It creates a feast for the eyes when paired with dark red, purple or black.

An additional bonus is that Mini Me can grow in shade, part sun or full sun and hold its color in all three! That is impressive.

This coleus blooms late in season, if at all. Pinch off flower stalks as soon as they appear.

Fertilize once every two weeks during the growing season with a water soluble tropical houseplant fertilizer. I use 20-20-20 at half strength.

Deer resistant

Plant in an average well aerated soil with good drainage. Keep soil moist but not soggy.  Like most coleus Mini Me makes a great houseplant!