DOWNERS GROVE, IL – All-America Selections, the 85-year-young non-profit plant trialing organization, announces eleven new and exciting AAS Winners. Each of the following varieties was trialed throughout North America by professional, independent, volunteer judges who grew them next to comparisons that are considered best-in-class.
This group of additional AAS Winners for the 2018 garden season includes:
- Canna South Pacific Orange F1 (National)
- Cuphea FloriGlory Diana (National)
- Gypsophila Gypsy White Improved (National)
- Marigold Super Hero™ Spry (National)
- Pak Choi Asian Delight F1 (National)
- Pepper cayenne Red Ember F1 (National)
- Pepper habanero Roulette F1 (National)
- Pepper Hungarian Mexican Sunset (Regional)
- Tomato Chef’s Choice Red (Regional)
- Tomato Valentine F1 (National)
- Zinnia Queeny Lime Orange (National)
Previously announced 2018 AAS Winners from July are featured on the AAS website and are readily available for purchase:
- Corn, sweet American Dream (National)
- Ornamental Pepper Onyx Red (National)
- Tomato, cocktail Red Racer F1 (National)
Links on each breeding company name lead to an email address for ordering seed for the 2018 garden season. Retailers and consumers will find these AAS Winners for sale as supply becomes available through the distribution chain. Garden communicators are free to begin writing about these varieties now. Each AAS Winner will be marketed through an extensive Social Media and public relations campaign.
A list of AAS trial judges can be found here.
A list of all current AAS Display gardens can be found here.
PowerPoint presentations are available on SlideShare or on the AAS website.
Bench cards and variety markers can be downloaded from the AAS website.
AAS 2018 Ornamental from Seed Winner
National Winner
Sister to 2013 AAS Winner South Pacific Scarlet, this newest AAS Winner is compact in habit and well suited for both landscape and container use. This variety is more vigorous, more uniform, and has more basal branching than comparison cannas. It offers an outstanding bloom color in an attractive, vivid bright orange that contrasts nicely with the bright green foliage. Pollinator gardens will love this addition of an attractive canna that sports uniformly colored flowers over a long blooming period. Bonus: this canna is grown from seed, not tuber, meaning less chance of succumbing to disease.
(Click link for order contact)
AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Canna generalis
- Common name: Canna
- Flower color: Orange
- Foliage color: Green
- Flower size: 4 1/2 inch
- Bloom time: Summer
- Plant height: 15-52 inches
- Plant type: Annual
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 12-16 inches
- Weather tolerance: Heat, rain
- Closest comparisons on market: South Pacific Scarlet F1 and Cannova Orange Shade F1
AAS 2018 Ornamental from Vegetative Cutting Winner
National Winner
Cuphea, commonly known as Mexican Heather, is an ideal plant for borders, mass plantings and containers. FloriGlory Diana was highly praised by the AAS Judges for its larger flowers, impressive number of flowers and the darker, more intensely colored magenta flowers. The dark green foliage complement the flowers and really makes a statement for this new AAS Winner. With FloriGlory Diana, gardeners will be delighted with the compact (10-12 inch) size, longer flowering time, heat and weather tolerance.
(Click link for order contact)
http://www.westflowers.us/variety/floriglory-diana/
AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Cuphea hybrid
- Common name: Mexican Heather
- Flower color: Magenta
- Foliage color: Glossy dark green
- Flower size: 3/8 inch
- Bloom time: Late spring, summer, fall
- Plant height: 10-12 inches
- Plant type: Annual to zone 7, overwinters in zone 8 or higher
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 16-18 inches
- Weather tolerance: Drought tolerant, heat, rain and wind resistant
- Closest comparisons on market: Allyson and Lavender Lace
- Gypsophila Gypsy White Improved
- AAS 2018 Ornamental from Seed Winner
- National Winner
Semi-double blossoms on this new, improved variety of gypsophila will make your garden sparkle! Not only are the flowers semi-double, but are also a bit larger in size and produce more flowers per plant, resulting in a fluffy white mound of beauty. Gypsy White Improved has better branching and a better growth habit than its predecessor, making it perfect for containers, small spaces and garden beds. A much longer bloom season and better heat tolerance than Gypsy Compact White will make this your new garden favorite. Overall it is a beautiful little plant with many possibilities!
*Greenhouse growers will appreciate the superior greenhouse performance making it perfect for a bedding plant program in packs and flats.
Bred by Sakata Seed Corporation
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AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Gypsophila muralis
- Common name: Baby’s Breath
- Flower color: White
- Foliage color: Green
- Flower size: 1/4 inch
- Bloom time: Spring, summer
- Plant height: 10 inches
- Plant type: Annual to zone 9, overwinters in zone 10 or higher
- Garden location: Full or partial sun
- Garden spacing: 12-18 inches
- Weather tolerance: Wind resistant
- Closest comparisons on market: Gypsy Compact White
AAS 2018 Ornamental from Seed Winner
National Winner
When one of the discerning AAS judges says, “I’d love to have this in my yard!”, you know you have a winner! Super Hero™ Spry is a lovely compact (10-12 inches) French marigold with dark maroon lower petals and golden yellow upper petals perched on top of dark green foliage. The list of winning attributes continues: a more uniform and stable color pattern, earlier to bloom and no deadheading required. These stunning blooms make any garden fit for a Super Hero!
*Greenhouse growers will appreciate the superior greenhouse performance making it perfect for a bedding plant program in packs and flats.
(Click link for order contact)
AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Tagetes patula
- Common name: French crested marigold
- Flower color: Yellow and red
- Foliage color: Green
- Flower size: 2 inches
- Bloom time: Summer – fall
- Plant height: 10-12 inches
- Plant type: Annual to zone 7, overwinters in zone 8 or higher
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 10-12 inches
- Weather tolerance: Heat tolerant
- Closest comparisons on market: Hero Spry and Janie Spry
AAS 2018 Edible Winner
National Winner
Asian Delight F1 Pak Choi (or Bok Choy) is a Chinese Cabbage that outperformed the comparisons by leaps and bounds. Judge after judge noted how this Pak Choi does not bolt like the comparisons, even weeks after other varieties went to seed. That means the yield from this AAS Winner can be double or even higher than that of other Pak Choi on the market. Asian Delight forms small to mid-size (5-7 inch) heads that have a tasty, tender white rib and dark green, textured leaves. One judged seeded his trial three times and all three times Asian Delight did not bolt whereas the comparisons did. “This is the best white stem mini Pak Choi I have ever seen.” That’s quite an endorsement!
Bred by Seed Solutions of America
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AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Brassica rapa
- Common name: Pak Choi
- Fruit size: 5-7 inches
- Fruit shape: Vase-shaped
- Fruit color: Dark green leaves with white stems
- Plant type: Annual, cool season
- Plant height: 5-7 inches
- Plant habit: Compact upright
- Garden location: Sun or shade
- Garden spacing: 8-10 inches
- Length of time to harvest: 25-40 days from transplant, 30-50 days from sowing seed
- Closest comparisons on market: Shiro F1 and Toy Choi F1
AAS 2018 Edible Winner
National Winner
Add some spice to your life with this new cayenne pepper named Red Ember F1! This new AAS pepper Winner won over judges by being earlier to mature than the comparison varieties. Early maturity is an important feature for gardeners who live in climates with a shorter growing season. Red Ember produces a large number of rounded end fruits on durable, medium-sized plants. Judges described the thick-walled fruits as spicy, but tastier than the traditional cayenne, with just enough pungency for interest. Use this new cayenne pepper for a multitude of purposes and throughout the seasons.
Bred by Johnny’s Selected Seeds
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AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Capsicum annum
- Common name: Pepper (cayenne)
- Fruit size: 4.5 inches long x 1.0 inch wide
- Fruit shape: Round bottom cayenne
- Fruit color: Red
- Plant type: Annual
- Plant height: 2 feet
- Plant habit: Compact
- Garden location: Full sun, warm season
- Garden spacing: 12-18 inches
- Length of time to harvest (red ripe): 75 days from transplant, 130 days from seed
- Closest comparisons on market: Cheyenne F1 or Ristra Cayenne F1
AAS 2018 Edible Winner
National Winner
Roulette F1 resembles a traditional habanero pepper in every way (fruit shape, size and color, and plant type) with one exception – No Heat! This AAS National Winner’s one ounce fruits are red with thick walls when it matures and a nice citrusy (no heat) habanero flavor! Gardeners will be delighted with the earlier production of large, uniform fruit and a very high yield. One judge noted that each plant easily produces 10-11 fruits at one time and up to 100 per season so there are plenty to eat fresh, cook with, and enjoy! For an early fruit production of a habanero pepper that will charm even those that don’t like it hot, take your chances…Roulette is the perfect choice.
Bred by Monsanto/Seminis Home Garden
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AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Capsicum chinense
- Common name: Pepper (habanero)
- Fruit size: 3 inches long x 1.5 inches wide
- Fruit shape: Acorn-shaped
- Fruit color: Red or green
- Plant type: Annual
- Plant height: 3-4 feet
- Plant habit: Bushy
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 24 inches
- Length of time to harvest: 85 days from transplant, 120 days from sowing seed
- Closest comparisons on market: Zavory or NuMex Suave Orange
Pepper Hungarian Mexican Sunrise F1
AAS 2018 Edible Winner
Regional Winner: Southeast and Mountain/Southwest
Mexican Sunrise Hungarian Pepper F1 brings to the garden a full spectrum of colors from lime green to yellow then orange and red as the fruit matures. These earlier maturing conical pendant shaped peppers produce a thick walled fruit that can be eaten at any stage. The fruits are semi-hot, attractive peppers which can be used for ornamental purposes as well as for processing, pickling and fresh preparations. Vegetable gardeners are sure to enjoy this pepper with its attractive fruit, early maturity and high yielding plants that look great in any gardenscape.
(Click link for order contact)
https://www.seedsbydesign.com/
AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Capsicum annum
- Common name: Pepper (Hungarian)
- Fruit size: 6-7 inches long
- Fruit shape: Conical
- Fruit color: Green, yellow, orange to red
- Plant type: Annual
- Plant height: 20-22 inches
- Plant habit: Bushy
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 12-15 inches
- Length of time to harvest: 60-65 days from transplant
- Closest comparisons on market: Hot Sunset F1 or Super Hungarian Hot F1
AAS 2018 Edible Winner
Regional Winner – Southeast and West/Northwest
The fifth addition to the popular Chef’s Choice tomato series is Chef’s Choice Red which produces globe-shaped, tomato-red beefsteak type tomatoes. Tomato lovers and culinary gardeners will want to grow this firm-fleshed delicacy that has just the right balance of acid to sugar. AAS Judges raved about the prolific yield of the 8-ounce fruits that the strong, 5-foot indeterminate vines produced. You’ll enjoy harvesting 30 or more scar-free fruits throughout the season from this disease-resistant plant with dark green leaves and well-behaved form. Grow the whole Chef’s Choice series for a colorful harvest!
Bred by Seeds By Design Inc.
(Click link for order contact)
https://www.seedsbydesign.com/
AAS® Winner Data
- Genus species: Solanum lycopersicum
- Common name: Tomato
- Fruit taste: Nice acid to sugar balance
- Fruit size: 6-7 inches, 7-8+ ounces
- Fruit shape: Flattened globe
- Fruit color: Red
- Plant height: 4-5 feet
- Plant width/spread: 18-20 inches
- Plant habit: Indeterminate – requires staking
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 18-20 inches
- Number of fruits: 30 plus
- Length of time to harvest: 80-85 days from transplant
- Closest comparisons on market: Genuwine, Red Brandymaster
AAS 2018 Edible Winner
National Winner
Hands down, the judges agreed this was the most appealing grape tomato they trialed. With an appetizing deep-red color, it has a very sweet (Brix of 7-9) taste and will hold longer on the vine without cracking or losing the excellent eating quality. Valentine F1 tomato is quite prolific and will mature earlier (55 days from transplant) than the comparisons used for this entry. Gardeners should plan on staking the indeterminate vines for best results. Tomato lovers will appreciate the sweet, firm flesh that is meaty enough to resemble a Roma tomato but in a smaller, grape-type fruit. These easy-to-harvest tomatoes can take the summer heat and keep on producing!
Bred by Johnny’s Selected Seeds
(Click link for order contact)
AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Solanum lycopersicum
- Common name: Tomato
- Fruit size: 1.5 inches long x .75 inches wide
- Fruit shape: Oblong
- Fruit color: Dark Red
- Plant type: Annual
- Plant height: 6 feet
- Plant habit: Vining, requires staking
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 24 inches
- Length of time to harvest: 55 days from transplant, 85 days from sowing seed
- Closest comparisons on market: Sugary F1 or Sweet Hearts F1
- Zinnia Queeny Lime Orange
AAS 2018 Ornamental from Seed Winner
National Winner
A “WOW” color in an easy-to-grow zinnia is what Queeny Lime Orange brings to the garden. Sporting lovely, large, dahlia-like blooms on a sturdy, compact plant, this variety provides cut flower gardeners and growers with a wonderful hue for today's floral trends. The unique color evolves from dark coral/peach/orange to a lighter peach with a dark center as the flowers age. In the trial gardens, visitors loved the show-stopping color and large blooms, making it this year’s fan-favorite. This new AAS Winner is also perfect for cut flower gardens as each uniform plant produces prolific deeply fluted blooms that last about 3 weeks without preservatives or feed.
Bred by Hugo Dittmar, available through Floragran
(Click link for order contact)
AAS Winner Data
- Genus species: Zinnia elegans
- Common name: Zinnia
- Flower color: Shades of lime, yellow, peach, salmon and orange
- Foliage color: Green
- Flower size: 2-3 inches
- Bloom time: Summer
- Plant height: 18-24 inches
- Plant type: Annual
- Garden location: Full sun
- Garden spacing: 12 inches
- Weather tolerance: Drought, heat resistant
- Closest comparisons on market: Benary’s Giant Coral and Queen Red Lime
All-America Selections® was founded in 1932 and continues as the oldest independent testing organization in North America. Every year, new, never-before-sold in North America varieties are trialed in our Trial Grounds and professional horticulturists determine which varieties will be deemed winners based on their garden performance. AAS relies upon a public relations program to inform gardeners about AAS Winners that are announced three times each year.
Source: All-America Selections