I was doing some reading....and came across this list of the AAS
flower winners for 2004....thought I'd share it. Might just get some new ideas for this coming
growing season.
University of Vermont Extension
Department of
plant and Soil Science
Winter News Article
ALL-AMERICA
flower SELECTION WINNERS FOR 2004
Dr. Leonard P. Perry, Extension Professor
The All-America Selections is a national non-profit association of the horticulture industry. Each year they receive the best new
seed selections from breeders, and send them out to trial across North America. Those showing a new trait such as color or habit, or an improvement, over existing varieties become All-America Selections (AAS) winners. They must bloom from
seed the first year, so most are annuals. For 2004 there are five winning
flowers.
Two plumed cockscombs or celosia are winners-- Fresh Look Red and Fresh Look Yellow. In fact, Fresh Look Red won the gold medal, reserved for only the most improved varieties.
Both celosia have huge
flower plumes, up to ten inches long and five inches wide under top conditions, but probably a bit less in the north. The
flower plumes hold up well and look attractive in all sorts of weather, and throughout the season. They don't lose their color under severe conditions as many
flowers do.
Reaching 12 to 18 inches high in northern gardens, these celosia also are great in containers or as dried
flowers in bouquets. As other celosia, these require minimal care and less water than many annuals since they tolerate drought. You can sow their
seeds indoors four to six weeks prior to planting outside. Wait until the garden soil warms to
plant them outside. These tropical natives don't grow well in cold soil.
Just as several celosia have been AAS winners, so have several petunias, with another for 2004. 'Limbo Violet' is a grandiflora petunia, meaning it has large
flowers, about three inches wide. Unlike many petunias though, especially the newer trailing varieties, this one is a compact genetic dwarf. It only reaches six inches high. With such large
flowers on such small
plants, this petunia appeared stunted in my own garden trials. I also found the bright violet
flower difficult to combine with other colors. Sowing
seeds indoors four to eight weeks before planting outside is recommended for more experienced gardeners, as this
flower can be a bit tricky.
Another short
flower winner is baby's breath (Gypsophila) 'Gypsy Deep
rose.' It showed improvements over other similar varieties such as 'Gypsy.' It has more, larger, and darker
rose flowers that are semi- to fully double and bloom for most of the season. Mature
plants are only about eight inches or less tall. Perhaps the best place for this
plant is as I used it-- along the edge of a mixed container planting where it could easily be seen and appreciated. Sow
seeds of this one indoors four to six weeks before planting outside.
Short is also the theme with the winning 'Queeny Purple'
Hollyhock. It only reaches 18- to 24-inches tall, unlike its 3- to 4-foot biennial relatives. Most
Hollyhocks are biennial, meaning they have a two-year life cycle, blooming the second year. They may then reseed for subsequent years.
'Queeny Purple' is the first short
Hollyhock, and first to bloom the first year from sowing. Once flowering, the double "powderpuff" blooms continue until fall. For this reason it is grown as an annual, although it may overwinter in warmer climates and locations. Sow these
Hollyhock seeds indoors four to eight weeks before planting outside. It will
flower about 12 weeks from sowing.
All of these
flower winners need full sun to perform best, a well-drained soil, and average fertility. Of course wait until after the last usual frost date for your area to
plant outside. Ask your local
greenhouses or complete garden centers early if they'll have these winners for this year. Otherwise you may need to order
seeds to start yourself, or you may wish to anyway just for fun.