by Beth Doran – Extension Master Gardener
All-America Selections released its highly anticipated list of winning flowers for 2025. Two common annuals – Mango Tango Marigold and Zinnia Crestar Mix – walked away with national titles, but these two cultivars are anything but common.
If you are an Iowa State University fan, you will want to plant Marigold Mango Tango. It blooms a spectacular display of yellow and red bi-colored flowers from summer to frost. Because it is only 8-10 inches in height and 6 inches wide, it works great in window boxes, containers, and borders. So, sport your ISU colors!
Marigold Mango Tango requires very little – full to partial sun, fertilization every other week, and normal watering. And there are two plusses – no need to stake nor deadheading. Judges’ comments included “it was both cold and heat tolerant” and “compact, mounding plants that have great flower power.”
The other “knockout” annual flower – Zinnia Crestar Mix – is equally as exciting. This winner is a crested zinnia that is recognized by distinctive semi-double blooms with a pronounced central disc. Each mix contains a fantastic range of colorful, 3- to 4-inch blooms in pink, orange, red, white, peach, and yellow.
As Zinnia Crestar Mix is more upright at 18-23 inches in height, it works best as a medium height divider or tall background. But no staking is required. Seeds planted in full sun will require 45-50 days to first flower. Although deadheading is recommended, these plants are tolerant of summer heat and humidity with no powdery mildew.

Zinnia Crestar Mix has two other positives. It is an excellent cut flower and pollinator friendly. One judge noted, “the first flush of blooms is high quality, almost all fully double.”
While you are shopping for this year’s seeds and plants, don’t forget to check out the plant sale on May 10 at the Butterflies and Blossum Wildflower Garden next to the Sioux County Extension Office. The current offering includes snapdragons and more than 30 varieties of tomatoes!