All-America Selections Introduces 11 Winners For 2017
November 15, 2016 | 11 min to read
DOWNERS GROVE, IL – All-America Selections, the only non-profit trialing organization for plants that demonstrate great garden performance throughout North America, presents eleven exciting new AAS Winners for the 2017 garden season. Each of the following varieties was trialed in North America by professional, independent, volunteer judges during one growing season. Each was trialed next to comparison varieties that are considered best-in-class among those currently on the market.
This group of AAS Winners for 2017 includes:
- Dianthus Supra Pink F1 (National)
- Fennel Antares F1 (National)
- Geranium Calliope® Medium Dark Red (National)
- Penstemon Twizzle Purple (Regional – Heartland and Southeast)
- Pepper Mad Hatter F1 (National)
- Tomato Chef’s Choice Yellow F1 (Regional – Southeast)
- Tomato Patio Choice Yellow F1 (National)
- Verbena EnduraScape™ Pink Bicolor (National)
- Vinca Mega Bloom Orchid Halo F1 (National)
- Vinca Mega Bloom Pink Halo F1 (National)
- Zinnia Profusion Red (National)
The first group of AAS Winners for 2017 were announced in July 2016. Those are:
- Celosia Asian Garden (National)
- Okra Candle Fire F1 (National)
- Pea Patio Pride (Regional)
- Squash Honeybaby F1 (Regional)
- Watermelon Mini Love F1 (National)
This brings the grand total to sixteen AAS Winners for 2017. Links on each breeding company name below lead to the appropriate email address for ordering that variety. Brokers, growers, mail order and seed packet companies can purchase these varieties immediately. Retailers and consumers will find these AAS Winners for sale for the 2017 gardening season as supply becomes available throughout the chain of distribution. Garden communicators are free to begin writing about these varieties now to build anticipation for 2017 gardens. Each AAS Winner will be marketed through an extensive Social Media and public relations campaign.
- A complete list of AAS trial judges can be found here.
- A complete list of all AAS Display gardens can be found here. Display Gardens grow, label and display AAS Winners.
- PowerPoint presentations are available for download on the AAS SlideShare account or on the AAS website.
- Bench cards and variety markers can be downloaded from the AAS website; posters can be ordered from GardenCenterMarketing.com.
Dianthus Interspecific Supra Pink F1
AAS 2017 Ornamental from Seed Winner
National Winner
Supra Pink joins its sister, 2006 AAS Winner Supra Purple, to give us two fantastic colors in an easy-to-grow interspecific dianthus for three-season (spring, summer, fall) garden color. This compact, bushy plant blooms prolifically with novel mottled pink flowers sporting frilly petal edges that hold up even in summer heat and drought. No deadheading needed on this winner. One judge attempted to deadhead this entry but it re-bloomed too fast to do so! Supra Pink grows to just under a foot in height but is a vigorous grower and will deliver fancy, clear pink flowers for a long time as observed over and over by the AAS Judges. Supra Pink was tested as an annual and won the award based on first-year performance, but similar to other dianthus, it may overwinter in some regions.
Bred by Hem Genetics
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Dianthus interspecific
Common name: Dianthus
Flower color: Mottled Pink
Foliage color: Light green
Flower size: 1.5 inches
Plant height: 10-12 inches
Plant habit: Compact, bushy
Plant type: Annual
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 10-12 inches
Closest comparisons on market: Supra Purple, Elegance Pink
AAS 2017 Edible Winner
National Winner
This winner is a “First in Class,” as AAS has never before trialed and declared a fennel an AAS Winner. What is extremely fun about this winning plant is its many uses: as an edible bulb; for its ornamental fronds; as a seed producer; and as a favorite food of pollinators, namely swallowtail caterpillars. The AAS Judges described Antares as a very uniform, pure white, beautiful plant with a much improved, almost sweet, licorice/anise flavor as compared to other market varieties. It was also 7-10 days slower to bolt than comparison varieties. Many AAS Judges said they plan to plant this easy-to-grow fennel in their own gardens next year!
Bred by Bejo Seed
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Foeniculum vulgare
Common name: Bulb Fennel
Fruit size: 4-5 inches
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit color: White
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 15-24 inches
Plant habit: Upright fern
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: In rows 6 inches apart and 2 feet between rows
Length of time to harvest: 58 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: Orion F1, Preludio F1
Geranium Calliope® Medium Dark Red
AAS 2017 Ornamental Vegetative Winner
National Winner
With an outstanding deep red velvety flower color and great branching habit, Calliope® was unmatched in the AAS Trials when compared to other market varieties. Calliope® Medium Dark Red geranium is an interspecific hybrid with zonal-type flowers and leaves. This AAS Winner has a mounded, semi-spreading growth habit with strong stems supporting the flower heads that are loaded with deep red blossoms. These plants work great in containers, combination plantings, hanging baskets as well as in an in-ground landscape. Gardeners will enjoy exceptional landscape performance in normal conditions as well as in more challenging high heat and drought conditions.
Bred by Syngenta Flowers
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Pelargonium x interspecific
Common name: Geranium hybrid
Flower color: Dark Red
Foliage color: Dark green
Flower size: 3.25 inches
Plant height: 12-14 inches
Plant habit: Mounded, compact
Plant type: Annual
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 14-16 inches
Closest comparisons on market: Big Easy Dark Red, Calliope® Dark Red
Penstemon barbatus Twizzle Purple F1
AAS 2017 Ornamental from Seed Winner
Regional Winner – Heartland and Southeast
Vibrant purple blooms present a new and unique color in penstemon! Twizzle Purple was judged as a first-year flowering perennial by judges who were impressed with the upright plant habit and superb flowering performance. This North American native blooms profusely with 1 inch tubular flowers on long slender stalks that grow up to 35 inches high, making this beauty a magnet for pollinators from mid- to late summer. Twizzle Purple can be used to add height to combination planters or in landscapes for high-impact color.
Bred by Van Hemert & Co.
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Penstemon barbatus
Common name: Penstemon
Flower color: Purple
Foliage color: Green
Hardiness: Zone 5-8
Flower size: 1 inch
Plant height: 35 inches
Plant habit: Upright
Plant type: Perennial
Garden location: Full sun, partial sun
Garden spacing: 12 inches
Closest comparisons on market: Penstemon barbatus coccineus
AAS 2017 Edible Winner
National Winner
This exotic pepper wins on uniqueness alone! However, the plant’s vigor, earliness, high yields, large size and awesome taste all contribute to its high score among AAS judges. Mad Hatter is a member of the Capsicum baccatum pepper species from South America commonly used in Bolivian and Peruvian cuisine. You can impress your friends by growing this pepper and showing off the novel three-sided shape and deliciously sweet taste. The taste has a refreshing, citrusy floral flavor that remains sweet, only occasionally expressing mild heat near the seeds. Be prepared for vigorous and robust plants that are easy to grow because they were bred for North America’s many growing conditions. Use your abundant harvest raw in salads, pickled or stuffed with cheese…a new favorite!
Bred by PanAmerican Seed
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Capsicum baccatum
Common name: Pepper Bishops crown
Fruit size: 2-3 inches, 1.5 – 2 ounces
Fruit shape: Flattened disc-shaped fruit with lobes or wings
Fruit color: Red
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 3-4 feet
Plant habit: Bushy
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 2-3 feet apart, plants require staking
Length of time to harvest: 110-120 days from direct sow; 65-70 days from transplant for mature green; 85-90 days from transplant for ripe red fruits
Closest comparisons on market: Balloon, Bishops Crown
Tomato Chef’s Choice Yellow F1
AAS 2017 Edible Winner
Regional Winner – Southeast
The fourth addition to the popular Chef’s Choice tomato series is Chef’s Choice Yellow which produces hearty beefsteak type tomatoes in a beautiful yellow color. Tomato lovers and culinary gardeners will fall for this large meaty delicacy that has a sweet, citrus-like flavor with just the right amount of acid and the perfect tomato texture. AAS Judges raved about the quantity of the 10-ounce fruits that each 5-foot indeterminate vines produced. You’ll enjoy harvesting 30 or more fruits throughout the season from this disease (Fusarium Wilt, Verticillium wilt, Tomato Mosiac Virus, Crack, and Scab) resistant plant with dark green leaves and well-behaved form. You’ll be the envy of all your tomato-growing friends!
Bred by Seeds By Design Inc.
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Solanum lycopersicum
Common name: Tomato
Fruit taste: Sweet and citrusy, low acid
Fruit size: 6-7 inches, 9-10 ounces
Fruit shape: Flattened deep globe
Fruit color: Yellow
Plant height: 4-5 feet
Plant width/spread: 24 inches
Plant habit: Indeterminate – requires staking
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 18-20 inches
Number of fruits: 30 plus
Length of time to harvest: 90 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: Chef’s Choice Orange F1, Lemon Boy
AAS 2017 Edible Winner
National Winner
Patio Choice Yellow is a new compact, determinate tomato developed specifically for small spaces and container gardens. This AAS Winner produces very large yields of 1/2 ounce bright yellow cherry tomatoes on short vines that grow only 18 inches tall. This mild flavored cherry tomato sets over 100 fruit on compact plants which are perfect for urban or small space food gardeners. Consider using these beautiful tomatoes either fresh or in the oven or sun dried for a deliciously sweet treat. For even easier picking, plant in a hanging basket.
Bred by Seeds By Design Inc.
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Solanum lycopersicum
Common name: Tomato
Fruit flavor: Mildly sweet with a touch of acidity
Fruit size: 1 inch, ½ ounce
Fruit shape: Round cherry
Fruit color: Golden yellow
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 15-18 inches
Plant habit: Compact, determinate
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 1-1.5 feet apart
Length of time to harvest: 65 days from sowing seed, 45 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: Little Sun Yellow F1, Honeybee F1
Verbena EnduraScape™ Pink Bicolor
AAS 2017 Ornamental Vegetative Winner
National Winner
EnduraScape™ is described as “tough as nails” because it is the first verbena that can tolerate drought and heat plus survive cooler temperatures down to the low teens. This long-blooming pink bicolor verbena is spectacular in the landscape, edging a walk or border as well as in large containers and baskets. Vigorous plants are sturdy spreaders that pop with abundant soft pink blossoms that darken in intensity toward the center of the bloom. Pink Bicolor is the newest color in the series and the AAS Judges deemed it truly spectacular!
Bred by Ball FloraPlant
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Verbena peruviana
Common name: Verbena
Flower color: Pink bicolor
Foliage color: Dark green
Flower size: 2 inches
Plant height: 8-12 inches
Plant habit: Spreading
Plant type: Perennial to zone 7, annual elsewhere
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 18-20 inches
Closest comparisons on market: EnduraScape™ Lavender, Lanai Bright Eye
Vinca Mega Bloom Orchid Halo F1
AAS 2017 Ornamental from Seed Winner
National Winner
Mega Bloom is an exciting new series of vinca bred to withstand heat and humidity without succumbing to disease. Orchid Halo produces huge bright rich purple blossoms with a wide white eye creating a striking look for the garden, even from a distance. Plants maintain a nice, dense habit with flowers staying on top of the foliage for full flower power color.
Growers will like the early bloom time, compactness in the greenhouse and plant uniformity.
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Catharanthus roseus
Common name: Vinca
Flower color: Orchid with white eye
Foliage color: Green
Flower size: 3 inches
Plant height: 13-15 inches
Plant habit: Upright
Plant type: Annual
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 10-12 inches
Closest comparisons on market: Titan® Lavender Blue Halo F1, Cora® Lavender F1, Vitesse Lavender Morn F1
AAS 2017 Ornamental from Seed Winner
National Winner
Mega Bloom is an exciting new series of vinca bred to withstand heat and humidity without succumbing to disease. Pink Halo produces huge soft pink blossoms with a wide white eye. These flowers present a striking look in the garden, even from a distance. Plants maintain a nice, dense habit with flowers staying on top of the foliage for full flower power color.
Growers will like the early bloom time, compactness in the greenhouse and plant uniformity.
Bred by AmeriSeed
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Catharanthus roseus
Common name: Vinca
Flower color: Pink with white eye
Foliage color: Green
Flower size: 3 inches
Plant height: 13-15 inches
Plant habit: Upright
Plant type: Annual
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 10-12 inches
Closest comparisons on market: Titan Rose Halo F1, Cora Lavender F1, Vitesse Rose Morn F1
AAS 2017 Ornamental from Seed Winner
National Winner
This newest Zinnia Profusion winner is the fourth color in the single flower series to win the coveted AAS Winner award. The original Profusions were ground-breaking plants because of their compact form, disease resistance, early and continuous blooms all season long and ease in growing. Judges raved about the vibrant, perfectly true red color of this zinnia which doesn’t fade in summer’s intense rays. As one judge stated, “We have waited for years for this true red color in zinnias!” Gardeners will find many uses for the true red zinnia that’s easy to grow and a favorite of pollinators. Uniform plants and outstanding greenhouse and garden performance will be especially important for growers producing Profusion Red for retail sales.
Bred by Sakata Seed Corporation
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AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Zinnia hybrida
Common name: Zinnia
Flower color: Red
Foliage color: Green
Flower size: 2.5 inches
Plant height: 8-14 inches
Plant habit: Mounded
Plant type: Annual
Garden location: Full sun, Partial sun
Garden spacing: 24 inches
Closest comparisons on market: Profusion Cherry, Zahara Red
Source: All-America Selections