Rosaprima’s “Moderna Dolce” Ranunculus Wins SAF Top Prize

by Jill Brooke

‘Moderna Dolce,”  a medium pink butterfly ranunculus presented by Rosaprima, stunned the judges at the annual Society of American Florists gathering winning top prize. Definitely have it on your list for flowers to include at a wedding or gathering.

With its high bloom count, sturdy stems and graceful aesthetic, it won the Society of American Florists’ Outstanding Varieties Competition, held in conjunction with the organization’s 140th annual convention in Scottsdale Aug. 11-14.

Rosaprima only began selling the variety earlier this year, which made the Best in Show win especially surprising, says Nicholas Chang, vice president of sales and marketing for Rosaprima.

Well, not so surprising since this company is on a roll producing some of the best flowers in the business.

The company brought the flower to market after identifying the same traits that charmed judges. “We’re testing 30 varieties of ranunculus, of which we’ll keep about 15,” Chang says. “We knew this one we wanted because it has an exceptional vase life of 15-plus days, versatility, and a color that is always needed.”

Earning top honors in the nation’s most prestigious flower competition has produced an “overwhelming response” for ‘Moderna Dolce’,  with several wholesale customers requesting standing orders, says Chang. “The timing is great too, as we have a much larger supply now and we’re heading into the fall wedding season, ” he says.

“I still can’t get over this variety, ” says judge Sheldon Jensen, AAF, of Flowers by Michelle in Las Vegas, who worked with the variety while designing a display for the Supplier Expo. “The laterals are amazing; you can take it apart and do so much with just one stem. It pairs well with all kinds of flowers. And the buds open throughout the week, so it just becomes more beautiful by the day. ” ‘

Moderna Dolce’ was among the 180 entries from 30 companies in the 2025 Outstanding Varieties Competition, sponsored by Chrysal and Syndicate Sales. 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 variety in each category entry