‘Amor Candy’ wins 2021 Outstanding Varieties Competition

Cut chrysanthemum ‘Amor Candy’ exhibited by Danziger “Dan” Flower Farm won the Best in Show title in the 2021 Outstanding Varieties Competition. ‘Amor Candy’ was among 146 entries from 24 growers competing during The Society of American Florists’ (SAF) 136th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.

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 entry of each won “Best in Class.” From this “Best in Class” group, judges chose their “Best in Show” winner. ‘Amor Candy’ won Best in Class for the cut chrysanthemum category and then went on to win the Best in Show title. 

• Rose: ‘Free Spirit,’ presented by Natural Flowers, Inc.

• Spray Rose: ‘Babe,’ presented by Equiflor — Rio Roses

• Garden Rose: ‘Leonora,’ presented by Rosaprima

• Dianthus: ‘Bubblicious,’ presented by Golden Flowers, Inc.

• Alstroemeria: ‘Romance,’ presented by Natural Flowers, Inc.

• Other Cut Flower: ‘Hanoi’ ranunculus, presented by Equiflor — Rio Roses

• Cut Bulb: ‘Maxima’ roselily, presented by Oregon Flowers, Inc.

• Decorative (Cut) Foliage: ‘Lysimachia Elizabeth,’ presented by Royal Flowers, Inc.

  People’s Choice award winner (voted on by convention attendees): 'Maxima,' presented by Oregon Flowers, Inc.

Retailer Judges:

• Jodi McShan, McShan Florist, Dallas, TX

• Jordan Prosser, Botanica International Decor & Design Studio, Tampa, FL

• Renee Tucci, Renee Tucci Creative, Chalfont, PA

Wholesaler Judges:

• Lani Callister, Ensign Wholesale Florist, Salt Lake City, UT

• Tim Dewey, DV Flor, Sewell, NJ

• Miguel Yepez, Orlando Wholesale Florist, Orlando, FL

Grower Judges:

• James DelPrince, Mississippi State University, Biloxi, MS

• Ben Dobbe, Holland America Arroyo, Grande, CA

• David Register, Ferntrust, Seville, FL

SAF would also like to extend thanks to Chrysal USA for supplying the plant food, to Syndicate Sales for the vases used for the entrants, and to Dave and Megan Mitchell of Mitchell's Flowers & Events in Orland Park, Illinois and their team for coordinating the Outstanding Varieties Competition.