At FlorEvent, business is always at the center of the conversation. But every now and then, the spotlight shifts to something more emotional, more human, and more universal. The Flower of the Year Award is exactly that moment.
Launched as part of FlorEvent’s wider mission, Flower of the Year is not about chasing trends or pushing a single variety. It is about giving flowers a voice and letting both professionals and the public decide which one best reflects the mood of the moment.
In 2026, the initiative returns once again, connecting growers, florists, breeders, and flower lovers through a simple but powerful idea: one flower, chosen collectively.
More Than an Award, a Shared Story
The Flower of the Year Award was created from a straightforward observation. Flowers are part of everyday life, but the stories behind them are often invisible. The people who grow them, select them, and work with them daily rarely get the chance to speak directly to a wider audience.
This award changes that dynamic.
Growers, suppliers, and floral professionals are invited to present candidate flowers, while the general public is encouraged to vote. No technical language. No industry jargon. Just a choice based on feeling, recognition, and connection.
The result is a rare meeting point where expertise and intuition sit side by side. A grower’s work is seen. A florist’s daily reality is acknowledged. And the public is reminded that every stem carries intention, craftsmanship, and care.
Visibility for Flowers and the People Behind Them
For participating growers and breeders, Flower of the Year is also a visibility tool with real reach. Candidate flowers are showcased across FlorEvent’s digital channels and social media, and they are physically presented at the show itself in Nantes.
During FlorEvent 2026, all nominated flowers will be displayed in a dedicated space on the exhibition floor. This gives visitors the chance to see the varieties up close, understand their characteristics, and connect the vote they may have cast online with a real, tangible product.
The winning flower is the one that receives the highest number of votes on social media, turning public engagement into a clear and transparent outcome.
A Natural Fit Within FlorEvent
The Flower of the Year Award fits seamlessly into FlorEvent’s broader identity. The French trade show has built its reputation on being human-scale, focused, and highly relevant for florists. Around 80% of visitors are active florist-buyers, which makes the show strongly targeted.
FlorEvent is not about overwhelming visitors with endless halls or impersonal stands. It is designed for real conversations, clear discoveries, and efficient business decisions. That same philosophy applies to Flower of the Year.
Instead of presenting a top-down industry choice, the award invites participation. It reflects how FlorEvent operates as a whole: close to the market, close to people, and grounded in daily practice.
Reconnecting the Industry With the Public
One of the most interesting aspects of the Flower of the Year initiative is how it bridges two worlds that do not always meet directly. Florists and growers work within a professional ecosystem, while consumers often experience flowers only at the final moment of purchase.
By opening the vote to everyone, FlorEvent creates a shared space. A flower becomes a conversation starter rather than just a product. It invites curiosity and encourages people to look beyond color or price, toward origin, seasonality, and meaning.
This reconnection is especially relevant at a time when transparency and authenticity matter more than ever. Flower of the Year quietly reinforces the idea that flowers are not interchangeable commodities, but living products shaped by choices and values.
Nantes 2026: Where the Flower Takes the Stage
FlorEvent 2026 will take place on March 8 and 9 in Nantes, a region with a strong floral culture and a dense network of professional florists. During the show, the Flower of the Year candidates will be highlighted in a dedicated stand, offering visibility not only to the winning flower, but to all participants.
For visitors, it adds another layer to the event. Alongside sourcing new suppliers, discovering collections, and meeting partners, they can engage with a collective industry moment that speaks to emotion as much as expertise.
Here's the full program for two days of flower fun at FlorEvent.
Voting Is Open
Voting for the Flower of the Year 2026 is open now, and the candidate flowers are presented through FlorEvent’s official channels. The initiative is open to everyone, from industry professionals to flower lovers with no technical background.
Because in the end, a flower does not need explanation to be understood. It just needs to be seen, felt, and chosen.
CAST YOUR VOTE HERE! Don't worry, because it's in French. Just click "Je vote" and you can choose whether to vote (like a flower) on Instagram or Facebook.
Then, on Sunday, 8 March, at 17.30, the Flower of the Year Awards will be named during a special ceremony that celebrates the most inspiring floral varieties of the year.
Who Should Exhibit?
A leading, human-scale professional trade show in France, entirely focused on the needs of florists, and a place where every exhibitor can genuinely grow their business. The organization invites you to participate. It welcomes industry professionals, such as growers and horticulturists, suppliers of cut flowers and plants, breeders, packaging, accessory, and tool brands, designers and creative companies, and international businesses seeking entry into the French market.
Bookings are now open via the FlorEvent website www.florevent.fr and email contact@florevent.fr.
Header and feature image: Gerbera Stravina by breeder Deliflor (Netherlands), grown by Arcadia (Decorum) and VannoVa.
