The mission of All-America Selections is “to promote new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America.” AAS Trials have been conducted every year since 1932 and AAS is the oldest, most established international testing organization in North America.
There is a network of about 200 dedicated AAS gardens including 55 locations that have served for 25 years or longer. The earliest AAS garden, Norseco, Inc. of Quebec Canada became an AAS garden in 1962. Florida has only one AAS Garden located at Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach.
The Hot AAS Flowers for 2010 begin with a Snapdragon that has no “snap”! How is that? Well, the double or butterfly form of this snapdragon does not have jaws to snap. ‘Twinny Peach” Snapdragon F1 has the perfect color flowers for the Spring garden and come in the soft shades of peach, yellow, and light orange. No other Snapdragon comes in this color range – a real first! ‘Twinny Peach’ is a bedding snapdragon that will produce an abundance of flower spikes that make superior cut flowers for vases and fresh bouquets. Finally ‘Twinny Peach’ is easy to grow and heat tolerant.
Genus Species: Antirrhinum majus
Flower Size: 1.25 inches
Plant Height: 11.75 inches
Plant Width: 7.75 inches
Seed to Flower: 70 – 84 Days
The next selection, ‘Mesa Yellow’ has been recognized as the first hybrid compact blanket flower that blooms prolifically.
Genus Species: Gaillardia x grandiflora
Flower Size: 3 inches, Yellow, Daisy-like
Plant Height: to 22 inches
Plant Width: to 22 inches
Seed to Flower: 120 Days in Spring
‘Endurio Sky Blue Martien’ is a viola that is recommended for growing in Southern or mild climates for the Winter garden. Sky blue flowers and black whiskers – you can find a place for them in your garden, planter, window box, and hanging baskets.
Genus Species: Viola cornuta
Flower Size: .75 inches, single, sky blue
Plant Height: to 6 inches
Plant Width: to 10 - 12 inches
Seed to Flower: 63 days
‘Zahara Starlight Rose’ Zinnias are a new zinnia bi-color – rose and white. Resistant to mildew and leaf spot, heat and drought tolerant – the perfect undemanding, maximum bold bloom flower for your garden, container and patio urn.
Genus Species: Zinnia marylandica
Flower Size: 2.5 inches, composite, single, rose and white
Plant Height: 12 to 14 inches
Plant Width: 10 - 12 inches