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Top
Annuals for 2008 |
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Here
are the All America Selections winners for 2008. There
are only 3 this year - two flowering plants and one
vegetable.
Watch
for young plants available at local garden centers in
spring.
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Osteospermum F1
'Asti White' |
Watch for
Plants and Seeds in Spring |
 Osteospermum
F1 ‘Asti White’
AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner
Pure white daisy flowers with blue centers are the main
attraction for ‘Asti White.’ The large blooms, 2 to 2-1/2 inches
across are borne on stems that gracefully wave in the wind. The
thick fleshy leaves indicate its drought tolerance, which makes
this a preferred annual in any area subject to dry conditions.
‘Asti White’ is the first white Osteospermum, or Cape Daisy,
propagated from seed. There are several advantages. The flowers
will remain open under cloudy conditions, unlike other daisy
flowers originating from South Africa, which close. ‘Asti White’
plants will flower uniformly about 17 weeks from seed. Gardeners
have the choice of growing from seed or purchasing plants
depending upon their resources. |
‘Asti White’
plants will bloom and recover from a slight frost. These
plants can be placed in the spring or fall garden, weeks
earlier than other tender annuals. The uniform plants thrive
in a sunny garden, reaching about 17 to 20 inches tall and
wide. ‘Asti White’ plants adapt perfectly to growing in
containers, preferably 6-inch pots or larger. Bred and
produced by Goldsmith Seeds, Inc.
Genus species: Osteospermum ecklonis
Common names: African Daisy, Blue-eyed
Daisy, Cape Daisy
Unique qualities: First white osteospermum
propagated from seed. Freedom of bloom and uniform size
plants
Flower size: 2 to 2.5 inches
Color(s): White with blue center
Plant height: 17-20 inches
Plant width: 17-20 inches
Garden spacing: 12 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower:
17 weeks from seed
Closest comparison(s) on market: ‘Sky and
Ice,’ ‘Passion Mix’
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Viola F1 'Skippy XL
Plum-Gold' |
Watch for
Plants and Seeds in Spring |
 Viola
F1 ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’
AAS Cool Season Bedding Plant Award Winner
Sunny gold faces charm people gazing at ‘Skippy XL
Plum-Gold.’ The flowers are uniquely designed with plum
shades surrounding the golden centers (face), which contain
radiating black lines affectionately called whiskers. The
blooms are small, about 1-1/2 inches, but are not to be
underrated. The number of blooms produced more than makes up
for the size. ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ won the AAS Award for
its ability to grow a lavish number of blooms. In the North,
plants can be expected to bloom beginning with spring to the
heat of summer. In the South, a fall planting may provide
flowering golden faces throughout the winter. The petite
plants growing 6 to 8 inches tall and wide are highly
recommended for combination planters. |
Gardeners can rely on ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’
to provide abundant blooms whether growing in containers,
window boxes, an annual or perennial garden. ‘Skippy XL
Plum-Gold’ may be a perennial in southern regions. Seed or
bedding plants will be available in garden centers this fall
or spring. ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ was bred by Kieft Seeds
Holland.
Genus species: Viola cornuta
Common name: Viola
Unique qualities: Color combinations,
vigorous and floriferous, flower size
Flower size: 1.5 inches
Form: Single
Color(s): Plum shades with golden center
Plant height: 6 inches
Plant width: 8 inches
Garden spacing: 8 inches
Length of time from sowing seed to flower:
10 weeks
Closest comparison(s) on market: ‘Skippy
Lavender/Yellow Face,’ ‘Panola Lavender’ |
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Eggplant F1 'Hansel' |
Watch for
Plants and Seeds in Spring |
 Eggplant
F1 ‘Hansel’
2008 AAS Vegetable Award Winner
Best described as a miniature eggplant, ‘Hansel’ is a
smaller-sized plant with finger-sized clusters of fruit.
Just because of its smaller size, don’t make the mistake of
thinking it produces less fruit. The strong plant, reaching
less than three feet, produces clusters of three to six
fruit. They mature early, about 55 days from transplanting
into warm soil. This is about 10 days earlier than the
comparison eggplant. If the 3-inch fruit clusters are left
on the plant, they grow in size, but remain tender and
non-bitter, unlike other eggplant. This trait offers
gardeners flexibility in harvest such as when taking a
much-needed vacation. The fruit will be waiting for you as
long as it’s not a three-week cruise. If you prefer to
garden in containers, ‘Hansel’ is highly recommended for
your shopping list. ‘Hansel’ adapts perfectly to container
growing conditions. |
The diminutive plant fits on smaller patios
or decks but provides high yields of shiny purple eggplants
ready to marinate and grill. ‘Hansel’ will be available as
seed and young bedding plants. This AAS Winner was bred by
Seminis Vegetable Seed.
Genus species: Solanum melongena
Common names: Eggplant, Aubergine
Fruit size: From 3” to 10” in length
Fruit shape: Elongated shape
Color: Glossy dark purple fruit
Plant height: 36 inches
Plant width: 30 inches
Plant habit: Compact upright
Garden spacing: 2 feet apart
Unique qualities: Miniature plant. Clusters
of tender sweet fruit with few seeds, early
Length of time from transplanting to harvest:
55 days
Closest comparison(s) on market: ‘Little
Fingers,’ ‘Orient Express’
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