|
|
All America Selections for 2003 Terry L. Yockey |
||
|
I had an opportunity to see this year’s winners growing in the display
gardens at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada and I can heartily recommend
them all--especially the ‘Purple Majesty’ ornamental millet. I’m told that they
even had a hard time classifying this very unique and extremely dramatic new
annual ornamental grass. New All America Selections Award Winners
Carnation 'Can Can Scarlet' (Dianthus caryophyllus 'Can Can Scarlet') A good choice for the cut flower garden, the spicy scent of this new carnation will fill the room with fragrance when used in flower bouquets. Very heat tolerant, ‘Can Can Scarlet produces bright scarlet flowers from mid-spring well into summer. 12 to 18 in. tall.
Vinca 'Jaio Dark Red' (Catharanthus roseus ‘Jaio Dark Red’) For those of you with deer problems, this is the bedding plant for you! The glossy green foliage is not attractive to deer or insects and the large 2-1/2 inch red blossoms cover the plant all season long. 15 in. high and up to 20 inches wide.
Eustoma 'Forever White'
(E. grandiflorum F1 'Forever White' ) Large 2-1/2 in. ivory-white blooms on
a compact, branching plant and tolerance to both heat and low moisture make this
the perfect choice for your patio containers. 8 to 10 inches high.
Gaillardia 'Sundance
Bicolor' (G. pulchella 'Sundance Bicolor' Unique mahogany red
and yellow globe-shaped blooms distinguish this annual gaillardia. Heat and
drought tolerant, ‘Sundance Bicolor’ spreads about 15 to 16 inches.
Petunia 'Blue Wave' (P. x hybrida F1 'Blue Wave' ) This AAS winner adds a rich, deep blue-flowered variety to the very popular ‘Wave’ series. These vigorous groundcover petunias are capable of spreading 3 to 4 feet and 4 to 7 in. high, and will bloom the entire growing season without any deadheading, pinching or pruning.
For photos and more AAS winners, visit their website at http://www.all-americaselections.org/. |
|||
|
|
|||
Ornamental
Millet 'Purple Majesty' (Pennisetum glaucum F1 'Purple Majesty' )
Planted in full sun this new dark purple leaved grass will grow to be 3 to 5 ft.
tall with 8 to 12 inch flower spikes. The flower spikes can be cut and used in
dried flower arrangements or left on the plant for winter interest.
Rudbeckia
'Prairie Sun' (R. hirta 'Prairie Sun') You will immediately
notice a difference when you first glimpse the large five-inch blooms of this
new rudbeckia. The petals are golden-yellow tipped with primrose yellow, but
even more distinctive is the light green central cone. This robust rudbeckia
grows to a height of about 3 feet with long flower stems good for cutting.
Agastache
'Golden Jubilee' (A. foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee') A new
golden-leaved version of an old herb favorite, ‘Golden Jubilee’ thrives in
either full sun or partial shade and will reach a height of 20 inches and a
width of 10 to 15 inches. The serrated leaves have an anise fragrance and taste
and the lavender flower spikes in mid to late summer are a favorite of
hummingbirds and butterflies. Not reliably hardy in colder climates, but it may
make it through an easy winter.
Dianthus
'Corona Cherry Magic' (D. chinesis F1 'Corona Cherry Magic' )
This bedding plant award winner is fun because the bicolor pattern on the large,
2-inch blooms changes from plant to plant. The flower color may be entirely
cherry red, entirely lavender or a “tie-dyed”
Petunia
‘'Merlin Blue Morn' (P. x hybrida F1’Merlin Blue Morn’) The
2-1/2 in. bicolor blooms of ‘Merlin Blue Morn’ start white in the center and
transition to a velvety blue on the petal edge. These free-flowering branching
plants will spread 18 to 30 in. and reach a mature height of 15 to 20 inches.
Highly recommended for use in containers or hanging baskets.
