2025 Flower of the Year Announcement Highlights Unique Plant Varieties
■ Overview of the 2025 Flower of the Year OTA Awards
Ota Kaki Co., Ltd. (Japon), the largest flower wholesaler in Japan, headquartered in Ota City, Tokyo, has announced the winners of the 2025 Flower of the Year OTA awards. The company, known for its robust presence in the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, has been recognizing outstanding flower varieties for 21 years. This year's selection process involved a staggering 70,000 candidates, showcasing the best of domestic and imported floral products.
Produced by: JA Kochi Nanatateguri Production Group (Kochi Prefecture)
The rare Nanatateguri chestnut, native exclusively to the mountainous areas of Kuroshio-cho, boasts an adorable appearance with small burrs producing approximately 20 chestnuts on a single branch. This chestnut variety, which can be harvested seven times a year, is steeped in local lore, where it is referred to as 'Daishi Chestnut'—derived from a 1200-year-old tale involving the monk Kobo Daishi being generously hosted by a local couple who then saw a surge in chestnut trees bearing fruit. This year marks the first award win for Kochi Prefecture.
Produced by: Kato Orchid Garden (Chiba Prefecture)
Kato Orchid Garden has established itself as a leading domestic producer of colored mini-cattleya orchids amidst a market dominated by large white imported blossoms. The 'Surf Song' variety, with its nuanced colors, has become a staple for florists and designers aiming for vibrant bouquet designs. Kato's success hinges on their refusal to prioritize ease of production over the market's desires, maintaining strict standards of color variety and shipping periods.
Produced by: JA Agatsuma Flower Division (Gunma Prefecture)
Celebrated as one of Japan's top floral brands, JA Agatsuma's Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers' has earned accolades for its delicate tubular petals. The design significance of this flower bridges trends in home decor and gardening, exemplifying success by creating a seamless transition of outdoor floral beauty into indoor spaces.
Produced by: JA Iruma Nogawa Flower Shipping Association (Saitama Prefecture)
'Sakura Whip' represents a stunning double-flowered variety of snapdragons, praised for its soft pale pink gradient. As a newcomer, it successfully blends traditional snapdragon essence with fresh design sensibilities, introducing a new valuable standard within the snapdragon category and opening doors to significant market demand.
This year's award-winning flowers were recognized not just for their beauty but also for their harmonious compatibility with other flowers, emphasizing natural aesthetics over bold trends. The winning varieties reflect a broader market desire for flowers that are both visually appealing and functional in diverse design contexts.
The top trends emphasize soft elegance and a naturalistic approach, integrating textures and organic forms that resonate with current consumer values. Colors such as subtle orange-pinks seen in the 'Surf Song' orchid and the gentle palette of the 'Sakura Whip' snapdragons reflect a design ethos rooted in understatement and elegance.
The award encourages redefining local resources through narrative and design value. The story behind each flower not only boosts its identity but also connects closely with regional branding initiatives. Such recognition fosters a strong link between local heritage and contemporary floral trends.
The Flower of the Year awards utilize statistical data based on annual trading activity combined with big buyer voting systems, providing a comprehensive analysis of market trends, including quality, distribution, and pricing considerations. This multi-faceted approach sets these awards apart from traditional flower shows, aiming to guide growers in future plantings based on market predictions.
The Flower of the Year OTA Awards ceremony will take place on December 5, 2025, from 6:50 AM to 7:00 AM at Ota Kaki Co., Ltd., within the wholesale market flower division in Tokyo. An estimated crowd of 250-300 attendees is expected, highlighting the award's importance within the floral industry. For more information, please visit Ota Kaki.
Ota Kaki Co., Ltd. (Japon), the largest flower wholesaler in Japan, headquartered in Ota City, Tokyo, has announced the winners of the 2025 Flower of the Year OTA awards. The company, known for its robust presence in the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, has been recognizing outstanding flower varieties for 21 years. This year's selection process involved a staggering 70,000 candidates, showcasing the best of domestic and imported floral products.
Winners of the 2025 Flower of the Year:
Best Flower Award: Nanatateguri Chestnut
Produced by: JA Kochi Nanatateguri Production Group (Kochi Prefecture)
The rare Nanatateguri chestnut, native exclusively to the mountainous areas of Kuroshio-cho, boasts an adorable appearance with small burrs producing approximately 20 chestnuts on a single branch. This chestnut variety, which can be harvested seven times a year, is steeped in local lore, where it is referred to as 'Daishi Chestnut'—derived from a 1200-year-old tale involving the monk Kobo Daishi being generously hosted by a local couple who then saw a surge in chestnut trees bearing fruit. This year marks the first award win for Kochi Prefecture.
Distinguished Flower Award: Surf Song Orchid
Produced by: Kato Orchid Garden (Chiba Prefecture)
Kato Orchid Garden has established itself as a leading domestic producer of colored mini-cattleya orchids amidst a market dominated by large white imported blossoms. The 'Surf Song' variety, with its nuanced colors, has become a staple for florists and designers aiming for vibrant bouquet designs. Kato's success hinges on their refusal to prioritize ease of production over the market's desires, maintaining strict standards of color variety and shipping periods.
Special Prize: Henry Eilers Rudbeckia
Produced by: JA Agatsuma Flower Division (Gunma Prefecture)
Celebrated as one of Japan's top floral brands, JA Agatsuma's Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers' has earned accolades for its delicate tubular petals. The design significance of this flower bridges trends in home decor and gardening, exemplifying success by creating a seamless transition of outdoor floral beauty into indoor spaces.
New Product Encouragement Award: Sakura Whip Snapdragons
Produced by: JA Iruma Nogawa Flower Shipping Association (Saitama Prefecture)
'Sakura Whip' represents a stunning double-flowered variety of snapdragons, praised for its soft pale pink gradient. As a newcomer, it successfully blends traditional snapdragon essence with fresh design sensibilities, introducing a new valuable standard within the snapdragon category and opening doors to significant market demand.
Floral Trends and Future Perspectives
This year's award-winning flowers were recognized not just for their beauty but also for their harmonious compatibility with other flowers, emphasizing natural aesthetics over bold trends. The winning varieties reflect a broader market desire for flowers that are both visually appealing and functional in diverse design contexts.
Embracing Natural Materials
The top trends emphasize soft elegance and a naturalistic approach, integrating textures and organic forms that resonate with current consumer values. Colors such as subtle orange-pinks seen in the 'Surf Song' orchid and the gentle palette of the 'Sakura Whip' snapdragons reflect a design ethos rooted in understatement and elegance.
Rediscovering Regional Identity
The award encourages redefining local resources through narrative and design value. The story behind each flower not only boosts its identity but also connects closely with regional branding initiatives. Such recognition fosters a strong link between local heritage and contemporary floral trends.
The Flower of the Year awards utilize statistical data based on annual trading activity combined with big buyer voting systems, providing a comprehensive analysis of market trends, including quality, distribution, and pricing considerations. This multi-faceted approach sets these awards apart from traditional flower shows, aiming to guide growers in future plantings based on market predictions.
The Flower of the Year OTA Awards ceremony will take place on December 5, 2025, from 6:50 AM to 7:00 AM at Ota Kaki Co., Ltd., within the wholesale market flower division in Tokyo. An estimated crowd of 250-300 attendees is expected, highlighting the award's importance within the floral industry. For more information, please visit Ota Kaki.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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