2010 American Garden Awards Announced
Ernst Benary of America’s rudbeckia ‘Denver Daisy’ was named the grand prize award winner in the 2010 American Garden Awards. The 2010 American Garden Awards are now in their second year. This year featured four new flower varieties chosen by their breeders for their excellent garden performance. Once these new varieties were planted and put on display by the participating gardens (see list below), then the public is asked to vote for a their favorite variety.
The top vote-getter and grand prize winner is Ernst Benary of America’s rudbeckia ‘Denver Daisy’. This rudbeckia has masses of reddish ringed golden flowers having a delicious looking chocolate brown center and large 4-6 inch golden blooms that cover attractive deep green foliage. The long-lasting golden dark eyed blooms proved their ability to stand up under extreme weather conditions. This variety was created and named in honor of Denver’s 150th anniversary.
This year’s second place winner is echinacea ‘Prairie Splendor’ from Syngenta Flowers. ‘Prairie Splendor’ has large and abundant flowers that bloom non-stop from early summer well into the fall. Voters were attracted by the abundance of large 3-3.5-inch rosy purple blooms. This long lasting 24-inch tall butterfly attractant begins flowering in June and continues blooming until first frost.
Pan American Seed’s ornamental pepper ‘Purple Flash’ received the third most votes. ‘Purple Flash’ enhances mixed containers and in-ground plantings with striking color. Its dark, layered leaves have “flashes” of bright purple, topped with small, round, glossy black pepper fruits.
The 2010 participating gardens: Birmingham Botanical Gardens; Boerner Botanical Gardens; Cantigny Gardens; Chicago Botanic Garden; Chicago Park District; Cole Gardens; Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden; Denver Botanic Gardens; Longwood Gardens; Massachusetts Horticultural Society; Missouri Botanical Garden; Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City; Oregon State Fairgrounds; Park Seed Co.; Pier 39; Rotary Botanical Gardens; San Francisco Botanical Garden; and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
For additional information of the 2010 American Garden Awards, please visit www.americangardenaward.com.
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