2003 ALL AMERICAN SELECTION FLOWER AND BEDDING PLANT AWARD WINNERS

AAS GOLD MEDAL FLOWER AWARD WINNER ORNAMENTAL MILLET F1 ‘Purple Majesty’
“Tall, dark and handsome” describes this purple-leaved millet. Young plants are green-leaved, and direct sunlight induces the purple leaf color. Capable of growing 3 to 5 feet tall, the plants are embellished with 8- to 12- inch spikes that can be cut and used dramatically in floral arrangements. Left on the plant, the millet seed spikes attract birds that snack on the seed. ‘Purple Majesty’ is easy to grow and is very tolerant of heat and low moisture. The purple leaf blades and spike are distinctly different from all other ornamentals.

AAS FLOWER AWARD WINNERS

CARNATION F1 ‘Can Can Scarlet’
This is one of the most fragrant garden carnations. The spicy fragrance will almost fill a room when the double, 2-inch blooms are cut and used in a bouquet. ‘Can Can Scarlet’ is heat tolerant, producing flowers throughout the growing season into the fall. This variety is perfect for a cut flower garden, and the gray-green foliage contrasts with the bright scarlet blooms. Mature plants will reach heights of 12 to 14 inches. Flowering pot plants will be available from garden centers in the spring or fall.

PETUNIA F1 ‘Merlin Blue Morn’
A distinctly different blue and white petunia, the 2 ½-inch blooms are pure white in the center with a soft transition to velvety blue on the petal edge. The bicolor pattern is highly visible from a distance. Best garden performance will occur in full sun. The branching plants will spread 18 to 30 inches and attain a mature height of 15 to 20 inches. ‘Merlin Blue Morn’ is highly recommended for use in hanging baskets or patio containers. ‘Merlin Blue Morn’ bedding plants will be available from retail stores.

PETUNIA F1 ‘Blue Wave’
The velvety, dark blue 2-inch blooms cover this trailing plant for the growing season. The plants are capable of spreading 3 to 4 feet like a ground cover. Mature plant height can be 4 to 7 inches. The ‘wave’ improvement is little garden toil. No pinching or pruning is needed for ‘Blue Wave’ to flower all season. The plants need moderately fertile soil to maintain the freedom of bloom. ‘Blue Wave’ is adaptable to any container. Flowering pot plants will be available at retail stores this spring.

RUDBECKIA HIRTA ‘Prairie Sun’
This robust Rudbeckia has distinctive blooms. The light green central cone blends beautifully with the golden-yellow petals, which are tipped primrose yellow. The 5-inch blooms on branching plants that mature at about 3 feet tall make a strong statement in any full-sun garden. Easy to grow and maintain, ‘Prairie Sun’ is a memorable plant in any perennial, annual or cut flower garden. Flower stems are sufficiently long for quality cut flowers. ‘Prairie Sun’ plants become a forceful focal point in any large container.

AGASTACHE FOENICULUM ‘Golden Jubilee’
This golden-leaved aromatic herb thrives in a full-sun garden or a partial-shade garden location. The symmetrical, branching plants reach a mature height of 20 inches and spread 10 to 15 inches. The heat-loving plants will produce dense spikes of lavender-blue florets that crown the plants in mid- to late summer. The attractive serrated leaves release an alluring mint fragrance when lightly crushed. ‘Golden Jubilee’ is an easily grown undemanding annual. It was named ‘Golden Jubilee’ to commemorate the 50 years reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

AAS BEDDING PLANT AWARD WINNERS

DIANTHUS F1 ‘Corona Cherry Magic’
This is the first dianthus with a capricious bicolor pattern. The flower color can be entirely cherry red, entirely lavender or a mosaic of both colors. The unpredictable design is whimsical. Best performance will occur in a full-sun location. Expect large, 2-inch blooms. ‘Corona Cherry Magic’ plants will reach 7 to 9 inches tall when mature and spread 8 to 10 inches. This annual provides flower color throughout the growing season. ‘Corona Cherry Magic’ bedding plants will be available from garden centers.

VINCA F1 ‘Jaio Dark Red’
A really red vinca with a small white center sets this summer flowering vinca apart from all others. The large 2 ½-inch blooms can cover the basal branching plant throughout the growing season. The glossy green foliage is not attractive to insects or larger mammals such as deer. When grown in a full-sun garden location, ‘Jaio Dark Red’ plants can attain a mature plant height of 15 inches, spreading up to 20 inches. Extremely heat and drought tolerant, ‘Jaio Dark Red’ provides constant garden color with minimal care.

EUSTOMA F1 ‘Forever White’
Simply the best white flowering eustoma for your garden. The large 1 ½-inch ivory-white blooms cover the plant at various times throughout the growing season. ‘Forever White’ exhibited heat and low moisture tolerance in trials across North America. The compact, branching plant lends itself to container culture. Attaining a mature height of 12 inches, ‘Forever White’ plants fit perfectly into patio containers where the blooms can be appreciated with close contact. ‘Forever White’ flowering potted plants will be available from garden centers.

GAILLARDIA PULCHELLA ‘Sundance Bicolor’
The first consistent mahogany red and yellow bicolor gaillardia flower. The globe-shaped blooms are primarily double and can cover the plant throughout the growing season. Exhibiting heat and drought tolerance, ‘Sundance Bicolor’ is carefree in the garden. The spreading plants need 15 to 16 inches of garden space, preferably in full sun. This annual needs moderately fertile soil and moisture to flower abundantly during the summer. The spreading habit is desirable for hanging baskets or patio containers.

Mary Kroening, Missouri Master Gardener Coordinator and UMC Horticulturalist, (573) 882-9633