All-America Selections is pleased to announce the first seven of the 2011 AAS Winners. Following a trial period where these new, never-before-sold varieties are "Tested Nationally and Proven Locally" the AAS judges have submitted their evaluations and selected only the best performers as AAS Winners. With this announcement, these varieties are available for immediate sale and distribution. Commercial growers and retailers should contact their favorite seed supplier and request AAS Winner tags from tag and label suppliers. Home gardeners will find seeds and plants available in time for their 2011 gardening season. For a complete list of trial ground locations, please click on the AAS Trials tab. Images are available for download from the Image Center tab.
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Apricot’ AAS Flower Award Winner
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Apricot’ offers a new and unique apricot color for this class. Blooms have yellow edges that deepen to a rich apricot in the center. Judges noted the award-winning distinctive flower color of the 3 to 3.5 inch daisy-like flowers, described as exceptionally lovely and lighter in color than traditional gaillardia. Just 105 days after sowing seed, this Gaillardia x grandiflora will bloom from early summer into autumn. The compact 12-inch tall plants offer bright green foliage and a tidy uniform habit best viewed when planted to the front of the flower bed. ‘Arizona Apricot’ is free-flowering, blooming heavily without vernalization, covering the plant with bright blooms that look great in mass. This long-flowering perennial is hardy in USDA Zones 2-10, is relatively maintenance free, and drought-tolerant once established. Gardeners will want to remove old flowers to encourage additional blooming. Bred by Ernst Benary of America Inc.
AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Gailardia x grandiflora
Common name: Blanket flower
Unique qualities: Earlier flowering, unique color for gaillardia
Flower size: 3 to 3.5 inches
Flower form: Daisy-like single flower
Flower color: Apricot
Foliage color: Bright green
Plant height: 12 inches
Plant width: 12 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 90 days
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Granada’ and ‘Golden Goblin’
For more category winners, click here.
Source: All-America Selections