All-America Selections Announces 2017 Winners
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been sharing results from various plant trials across the country, such as Colorado State University and the Raker Trial Gardens. While each individual trial provides valuable insight, much of the information is most important to each specific region.
Today, I’d like to discuss varieties that showcase proven performance on a national level. All-America Selections recently announced its latest batch of both national and regional winners for 2017, bringing the grand total to 16 varieties.
Of those 16, the seven flower winners below won in the national category. Each of these winners was trialed in multiple locations in North America by professional, independent, volunteer judges during one growing season. They were trialed next to comparison varieties that are considered “best in class” among those currently on the market.
For more information about All-America Selections and its display gardens and trial grounds, go to www.all-americaselections.org.
Celosia ‘Asian Garden’
Murakami Seed Co.
Judges gave this entry high marks for its branching, almost bushy growth habit and early-to-bloom flower spikes. ‘Asian Garden’ is a pollinator-magnet and keeps its bright pink color all summer long.
Dianthus ‘Supra Pink’
Hem Genetics
‘Supra Pink’ is an easy-to-grow interspecific dianthus for three seasons of garden color. This compact, bushy plant sports frilly petal edges that hold up even in summer heat and drought.
Geranium ‘Calliope Medium Dark Red’
Syngenta Flowers
This interspecific hybrid boasts deep red velvety flowers on a great branching habit. ‘Calliope Medium Dark Red’ has a mounded, semi-spreading growth habit with strong stems supporting loaded flower heads.
Verbena ‘EnduraScape Pink Bicolor’
Ball FloraPlant
EnduraScape is bred to tolerate drought and heat plus survive cooler temperatures down to the low teens. This long-blooming pink bicolor verbena is spectacular in the landscape, borders, large containers and baskets.
Vinca ‘Mega Bloom Orchid Halo’
AmeriSeed
Mega Bloom is an exciting new series of vinca bred to withstand heat and humidity without succumbing to disease. Orchid Halo features huge bright rich purple blossoms with a wide eye, creating a striking look in the garden.
Vinca ‘Mega Bloom Pink Halo’
AmeriSeed
Pink Halo presents a striking look, even from a distance, with its huge soft pink blossoms and wide white eye. Plants maintain a nice, dense habit with flowers staying on top of the foliage for full flower power.
Zinnia ‘Profusion Red’
Sakata
This is the fourth color in the Profusion series to win the AAS Winner award. Judges raved about the vibrant, perfectly true red color, which doesn’t fade in the summer sun. Gardeners will find many uses for this zinnia, as it is easy to grow and attracts pollinators.
Are you familiar with the All-America Selections trial program? Are you or do you plan to grow any of the above winning varieties? Shoot me an email, and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
Video Library 
