Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow Wild Berry’
AAS Flower Award Winner

This purple coneflower differs from all others for flower color, branching and plant size. Gardeners will love the deep rose-purple 3 to 4 inch flowers that retain color on the plant longer. Plants were tested across the United States and Canada. This first year flowering perennial (hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 3) has superior performance including a basal branching habit, resulting in more flowers per plant. Reaching a height of 20 to 24 inches in the full sun garden, this AAS Winner blooms continually without deadheading. 'PowWow Wild Berry' is an intermediate day-length flowering variety with most rapid and uniform flowering at 14 hours, flowering approximately 20 weeks after sowing. Therefore, seed should be sown before the end of January for the most prolific and uniform flowering in the first year. U.S. Utility Patent Applied For. Bred by PanAmerican Seed Co.

How to Grow
All Echinacea are perennials and native to the American prairie. To produce plants from seed that will flower the first year, sow seed no later than January 25, regardless of location. Sow seed on top of germination media that has been thoroughly wet and allowed to drain. Seed can be exposed to light or covered lightly with media. Maintain 65F to 70F (18C to 21C) soil media for 10 to 15 days, the length of time for germination. Seedlings can be transplanted into larger containers within 20 to 28 days. Grow on at no less than 50 to 65F. Apply liquid fertilizer, when needed. Transplant into a full-sun garden location with amended soil that is well draining. Plants thrive with few disease or insect problems.

AAS® Winner Data

Genus species: Echinacea purpura
Common name:Purple Coneflower
Unique qualities: Flower color, branching and plant size
Flower size: 3 to 4 inches
Flower form: Single daisy
Plant height: 20 to 24 inches
Width: 12 to 16 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 16 to 18 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 20 weeks for June flowering

Closest comparisons on market: ‘Primadonna Deep Rose,’ ‘Prairie Splendor’ and ‘Magnus’

Gaillardia F1 ‘Mesa Yellow’
AAS Flower Award Winner

‘Mesa Yellow’ is the first hybrid blanket flower with a controlled plant habit and prolific flowering. The 3-inch daisy like flowers and globe shaped seed heads offer a superior presentation of color which continues throughout the summer. Gardeners will be glad to know they can cut the blooms for casual bouquets. The flowers, when left on the plants, will attract butterflies. Judges noted the improved plant habit of ‘Mesa Yellow’ with mature plants reaching 20 to 22 inches in a full sun garden location. The neat, mounded plants are adaptable to smaller space gardens or any type of containers. When planted near the inside edge of the container, they will cascade down the container. They are relatively maintenance free. ‘Mesa Yellow’ plants proved to be wind and rain resistant, meaning the plants recover quickly from severe weather. ‘Mesa Yellow’ was bred by PanAmerican Seed Company and blooms two to three weeks earlier than comparisons.

AAS® WINNER DATA

Genus species: Gaillardia x grandiflora
Common name: Blanket flower
Unique qualities: The first F1 Gaillardia from seed. Does not get tall, loose and floppy.
Flower size: 3 inches
Flower form: Single flower
Flower color: Yellow
Plant Height: 16-18 inches
Width: 20-22 inches
Garden Spacing: 12-18 inches
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 120 days in spring
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Maxima Aurea,’ ‘Golden Goblin’

Marigold F1 Hybrid African ‘Moonsong Deep Orange’
AAS Flower Award Winner

AAS Judges noted the intense deep orange flower color that could not be captured by a picture or digital image. The fade-resistant orange flowers make others look more golden than orange. This unique color is one of three desirable, improved traits. The flower size from 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches and fully double blooms rank among the best of the class. Easy to grow in a 5 to 6 inch pot, plants will flower in about 70 days under short days or 84 days under long day growing conditions. ‘Moonsong Deep Orange’ plants are vigorous, tolerating stress such as heat or drought. In the full sun garden, the erect plants will reach about 12-15 inches tall. Over the summer, the old blooms will be covered with green foliage, which keeps the plants looking fresh throughout the growing season. Bred by Syngenta Flowers.

How to Grow
These full sun annuals are easy to grow from seed. In the North, it is recommended to start the seed indoors just a few weeks before the last frost, 4 to 6 weeks. Sow seed on top of germination media that has been thoroughly wet and allowed to drain. Cover seed with media. Maintain 70 to 75F media temperature during germination, which takes about 5 to 7 days. Fill peat pot or other “green” container with soilless media and transplant young seedlings into containers. Grow indoors at 50 to 65F until outdoor temperatures warm to 60F. Plant pot and all into prepared garden soil or patio type container after the threat of frost. In the South, seed can be sown directly into garden soil where the plants would be growing for the summer season.
Grow in full sun for maximum flower production. Too much fertilizer will result in large green plants with few flowers. Plants can be deadheaded but it is not necessary grooming. Foliage has typical “marigold’ aroma, which may or may not be appealing. The African Marigold is misnamed, the center of origin is from Mexico to South America. The plant did not originate in Africa, but the name remains.

AAS® Winner Data

Genus species: Tagetes erecta
Unique qualities: Unique deep orange color, excellent garden vigor, long lasting garden performance
Flower size: 2.5 to 3.5 inches
Flower form: fully double
Plant height: 12 to 15 inches
Width: 11 to 14 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 14 to 18 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 70 to 84 days
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Inca II Orange,’ ‘Antiqua Orange’

Snapdragon F1 ‘Twinny Peach’
AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner

Who took the snap out of Snapdragon? ‘Twinny Peach’ the AAS Winner, is a snapdragon without the snap. Why? Because it is a double or butterfly flower form that does not have the jaws or joints to snap. The double flower form is the origin for the name ‘Twinny’ or twins. Another unique quality is the blend of peach tone colors. The soft shades of peach, yellow and light orange are distinct, and no other snapdragon offers this range of colors. Match ‘Twinny Peach’ with blue tones of Salvia farinacea or purple foliage plants and your garden will be a knockout. In the full sun garden, ‘Twinny Peach’ will produce abundant flower spikes, plenty to cut and place in vases for fresh indoor bouquets. Plants will continue to flower all season with little garden care. Like all snapdragons, ‘Twinny Peach’ is easy to grow and it exhibited heat tolerance in the AAS Trials. This new variety was bred by HEM Genetics.

AAS® WINNER DATA

Genus species: Antirrhinum majus
Common name: Snapdragon
Unique qualities: First double flowered snapdragon with compact habit. Unique color.
Flower size: 1.25 inches
Flower form: Butterfly
Flower color: Pastel shades of peach, yellow and light orange
Plant Height: 11.75 inches
Width: 7.75 inches
Garden Spacing: 6 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 70-84 days
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Bells Yellow,’ ‘Floral Showers Apricot Bicolor’

Viola F1 ‘Endurio Sky Blue Martien’
AAS 2010 Cool Season Award Winner

A burst of clear blue greets gardeners with ‘Endurio Sky Blue Martien.’ This unique spreading/mounding viola may look delicate, but delivers tough-as-nails performance in the garden. In mild southern regions it flowers throughout the winter, laughing off wind, rain, cold temperatures and passing snowfalls. In northern temperate climates, it dazzles gardeners with two-season color – flowering well after first frost when planted in autumn and once again in spring after snow has melted and soil has warmed. It can also be planted in early spring, covering planters and landscapes with sky-blue blooms well into summer. Delicate .75-inch flowers cover plants in beautiful sky blue. Spreading/mounding plants grow to 6 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide, creating a bright spot in any garden. It is also perfectly suited to window boxes and hanging gardens, as well as balcony and patio planters. ‘Endurio Sky Blue’ was bred by Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

AAS® WINNER DATA

Genus/species: Viola cornuta
Common name: Viola
Unique qualities: Spreading, mounding habit fills planters and garden beds quickly for maximum pot and landscape color impact. Plants flower throughout winter in mild climates and re-bloom for second season when autumn planted in northern, temperate regions.
Flower size: .75 inch
Flower form: Single
Flower color: Sky Blue
Plant Height: 6 inches
Width: 12 inches
Garden Spacing: 10-12 inches
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 9 weeks
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Sorbet Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,’ ‘Penny Azure Twilight’

Zinnia ‘Double Zahara Cherry’
AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner

This interspecific cross between zinnia species, results in dependable resistance to leaf spot and mildew diseases. Growers can easily produce ‘Double Zahara Cherry’ flowering plants for spring bedding plants without the fear of plant loss due to these two diseases. Recommended for 4-inch pots or larger, the handsome symmetrical dark green plants produce fully double 2 ½ inch blooms. The flowers remain attractive for impulse sales at retail stores. Early to bloom in about 8 - 10 weeks, ‘Double Zahara Cherry’ has fewer inputs and more reliability. Growing in a full-sun garden, this AAS Winner will mature at about 12 inches tall and wide. Heat tolerant in the garden, ‘Double Zahara Cherry’ can be perfectly matched with other sun loving annuals for container plantings. Bred by PanAmerican Seed Company.

How to Grow
Seed can be sown indoors or in greenhouse 6 to 10 weeks before transplanting into garden soil. All zinnias prefer warm soil and growing conditions, planting outdoors in cold soil may be detrimental to plant growth. Provide maximum sunlight. In warmer southern locations, seed could be sown directly into prepared garden soil or containers.

AAS® Winner Data

Genus species: Zinnia, interspecific
Unique qualities: Fully double and larger flowers, disease resistant
Flower size: 2.5 inches
Flower form: Composite, fully double
Plant height: 13.5 inches
Width: 12.5 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 12 to 18 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 60 to 65 days
Closest comparisons on market: Zinnia ‘Profusion Double Cherry’

Zinnia ‘Double Zahara Fire’
AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner

Large 2 ½ inch, fully double flowers crown these disease resistant plants. ‘Double Zahara Fire’ has proven leaf spot and mildew resistance. This is linked to the ease of growing in the greenhouse for spring flowering plants and the length of flowering season. There is less risk of plant loss while growing these zinnias under cool, low light conditions. Gardeners can rely on ‘Double Zahara Fire’ for reliable, season long performance. Plants will continue to bloom from spring to the end of the growing season, with little garden maintenance. Mature plants will be about 14 inches tall and spread 12 inches. Similar to all zinnias, this AAS Winner will perform best in full sun and thrive on summer heat. ‘Double Zahara Fire’ was bred by PanAmerican Seed Company.

How to Grow
Seed can be sown indoors or in greenhouse 6 to 10 weeks before transplanting into garden soil. All zinnias prefer warm soil and growing conditions, planting outdoors in cold soil may be detrimental to plant growth. Provide maximum sunlight. In warmer southern locations, seed could be sown directly into prepared garden soil or containers. About 60-65 days from sowing seed to first flower.

AAS® Winner Data

Genus species: Zinnia interspecific
Unique qualities: Fully double and larger flowers, disease resistant
Flower size: 2.5 inches
Flower form: Composite, fully double
Plant height: 14 inches
Width: 12 to 14 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 12 to 18 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 60 to 65 days
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Profusion Double Cherry,’ ‘Profusion Fire’

Zinnia ‘Zahara Starlight Rose’
AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner

A stunning combination of new and old describes ‘Zahara Starlight Rose.’ Zinnias are old-fashioned flowers but these rose and white flowers are a new bicolor for this sun loving class of annuals. Other new traits are the proven resistances to leaf spot and mildew, which can devastate healthy plants and cause an early death. These superior qualities resulted in long lasting zinnia plants that provide generous color all season. ‘Zahara Starlight Rose’ is heat and drought tolerant, easy to grow in gardens. A perfect plant for the novice or experienced gardener because it is so undemanding with a maximum number of blooms. The mature plants are mid-sized, about 12 to 14 inches tall and wide, large enough to make a bold statement in containers or patio urns. Gardeners will be able to grow ‘Zahara Starlight Rose’ from seed or plants. This new zinnia was bred by PanAmerican Seed Co.

AAS® WINNER DATA

Genus species: Zinnia marylandica
Common name: Zinnia
Unique qualities: First rose and white bicolor zinnia, with disease resistance
Flower size: 2.5 inches
Flower form: Composite, single flower
Flower color: Rose and white bicolor
Plant Height: 12-14 inches
Width: 12-14 inches
Garden Spacing: 10-12 inches
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 61 days
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Profusion White,’ ‘Profusion Cherry’

Watermelon F1 Hybrid ‘Shiny Boy’
AAS Vegetable Award Winner

In a taste test against comparisons, 'Shiny Boy' won! Judges favored the sweet tropical flavor and crisp texture. A red fleshed melon with dark seeds; this globe-shaped melon weighed about 20 pounds, some larger. The hybrid plants are vigorous; vines can grow up to 12 feet. 'Shiny Boy' can be grown vertically so that a large yard for a vegetable garden is not needed. Judges noted a high yield and generally healthy plants, tolerant of severe weather. It is an art form to determine when melons are ripe for harvest but plan to check plants in about 75 days from transplanting for mature fruit. 'Shiny Boy' is earlier than other varieties. This AAS Winner can be grown successfully in any geographic region with warm summer growing conditions. It was bred by Known-You Seed Company.

How to Grow
In northern areas, sow seed 4 weeks prior to last frost date. Sow seed directly into peat pots filled with soilless mix that has been well-watered and allowed to drain. Cover with media and maintain 75°F. Wrap in plastic to maintain uniform moisture. Germination will occur in 7 to 14 days. Keep warm, transplant after soil and air temperatures warm or protect from cool night temperatures. In areas with long growing seasons, seed may be sown directly into prepared garden soil.

AAS® Winner Data

Genus species: Citrullus lanatus
Common name: Watermelon
Fruit size: Globe shaped fruit 20 pounds or larger
Color: Dark green rind, thick wide stripes and deep red flesh
Plant type: Spreading vine
Width: 13 foot spread
Garden location: Full fun
Garden spacing: 8 to 10 feet
Unique qualities: Earlier than comparisons, high yield, delicious tasting
Disease tolerances: Vigorous plant tolerates general diseases and insects
Length of time from sowing seed to harvest: 90 days from seed, 75 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: 'Sweet Favorite,' 'Starlight,' and 'Delta'