AAS names award-winning annuals
Since 1933, All-America Selections has named superior new varieties of annuals as AAS Award Winners. This year, six annuals have received the coveted award.
Canna x generalis South Pacific Orange joins its sibling, South Pacific Scarlet — a 2013 AAS award winner — in the winner's circle. Its vivid, soft orange, exotic blooms glow against large, deep green leaves. It produces lots of stems from its base, meaning more flowers for gardeners.
Growing up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, pollinators will find South Pacific Orange whether it is planted in the garden or large containers. This canna is grown from seed instead of tubers, better for disease prevention but less appealing for gardeners who like to overwinter tubers to start new plants in spring.
I haven't had much interest in Mexican heather before, but I am paying attention now. Cuphea FloriGlory Diana boasts larger and more brightly-colored magenta flowers than other varieties. What's better than bigger and brighter flowers? More of them! One judge commented it had double the quantity of blooms compared to other cultivars in trial gardens.
Diana Mexican heather grows in mounds up to a foot tall and boasts those beautiful blooms from late spring until frost. Plant some at the front of perennial borders, in mass plantings, in hanging baskets or in container gardens.
Another annual receiving an AAS award for increased blooming and larger flowers, Gypsophila Gypsy White Improved shows off semidouble white blooms all summer long. Plants grow 12 to 18 inches tall and, in bloom, resemble mounds of alyssum on steroids.
Plant this baby's breath as a carpet of white around larger sun-loving perennials or to add sparkle to container gardens.
Marigolds may seem ordinary to some, but I love them because they are colorful, dependable and carefree. Now the family of marigolds has a super hero — Super Hero Spry — a 2018 AAS winner. Like other French marigolds, it is compact — just 10 to 12 inches tall — in shades of yellow, orange and red. Super Hero Spry flaunts bicolor blooms, golden yellow petals up top and dark maroon petals below, that continue flowering through hot, sunny summers without pause and without deadheading.
I have a hot, dry garden at the end of our driveway by the street. I am always looking for annuals that can thrive in these inhospitable conditions. This year, a Super Hero will come to the rescue!
Late summer, when some annuals are beginning to grow tired, ornamental peppers are just hitting their stride. Onyx Red ornamental pepper is that and more! Gardeners don't have to wait for their round, shiny red fruit for its decorative appeal. Black foliage adds colorful contrast to silver- or chartreuse-foliaged neighbors all summer long. Imagine it combined with dusty miller, French lavender and ageratum or partnered with chartreuse sweet potato vine and golden yellow lantana. Spectacular!
I love zinnias. They are a mainstay in my gardens every summer. With all the varieties of zinnias available today, one must be very special to impress AAS judges. Zinnia Queeny Lime Orange caused one judge to comment, “(I) absolutely LOVE this color! (It is) a showstopper in the trials.” This zinnia struts dahlia-like blooms with colors that change as they mature from dark coral to orange to apricot with a touch of lime around dark rose centers.
Like other zinnias, it prefers a spot in full sun with well-drained soil. Its unique flower color could be appreciated up close if planted in containers, but I love the sunny faces of zinnias planted in drifts in perennial gardens where their continuous display of flowers adds color when perennials are not in bloom. Gardeners who love to cut flowers from their gardens for bouquets will love Queeny Lime Orange zinnia. Flowers bloom on sturdy 2-foot stems and have a very long vase life.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.