A new year means a new design showdown—and we’re kicking off 2026 with Stem Wars, the latest installment in an annual floral design contest series presented by Ball SB, Details Flowers Software, the Society of American Florists (SAF), and Allure Farms.
Following the success of Sunflower Madness and Duel of the Delphiniums, Stem Wars brings florists together once again for a high-energy, March Madness–style competition that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and community.
This year’s twist? Designers will be among the first to work with brand-new Ageratum and Didiscus varieties from Ball SB, offering a rare opportunity to experiment with fresh product introductions before they hit the broader market.
Stem Wars challenges designers to push their creativity using two exciting focal players: Ageratum and Didiscus.
These varieties bring distinctive texture, movement, and color to floral work—making them ideal for designers who love experimenting with form and composition. Whether you lean modern and minimal or lush and expressive, these stems open the door to designs that feel unexpected and memorable.
The Ageratum, also known as "floss-flower" for its dental floss-like petals, has small flowers resembling fluffy pompons. The flowers are produced in dense clusters in purple color, adding a touch of freshness and vitality to any floral arrangement. Its delicate and abundant flowers stand out for their durability.
Didiscus, often called blue lace flower, is a soft, airy bloom made up of tiny clustered florets that form a delicate, rounded head. Most loved in its misty blue tones, it brings a rare touch of true blue into designs. Its light texture and graceful shape make it perfect for garden-style arrangements, adding movement and a fresh, just-gathered feel without overpowering other flowers. It’s an easy way to introduce softness and dimension to any composition.
We can’t wait to see how florists interpret these new varieties and bring them to life through their own creative lens.
Here’s how the competition unfolds:
Interested in competing? Start by completing the entry form and sharing why you should be selected. The Deadline to apply is March 3, 2026
From all submissions, 16 designers will be chosen to compete. Each selected participant will receive a box containing Ageratum and Didiscus varieties to use in their design.
The Top 16 will be chosen and contacted by March 6, 2026.
Designers will have until March 16 to create their piece and submit a high-quality photo of their final design.
The first bracket will be revealed on March 17, with designs going head-to-head in weekly public voting rounds. Winners advance until one champion remains.
The last two designs will face off, and the Stem Wars Champion will be crowned on April 10, 2026.
The winning designer will take home:
Not too shabby for showing off your floral skills.
Participants gain exposure across the floral community, engage with fellow designers, and share their work with a wide audience. Designers also get hands-on experience with newly introduced Ball SB varieties, while Ball SB gains valuable insight into how florists bring these products to life in real-world designs.
It’s a win for creativity—and for the industry as a whole.
Visit the official contest page to review rules, submission guidelines, and entry details. Don’t miss your chance to compete, connect, and be part of one of the floral industry’s most exciting design showdowns!
