Article for Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

February 13, 2006

          All America Selection Trials have been conducted every year since 1932 as a way for home gardeners to learn which new varieties of garden plants are truly improved. Before these trials, gardeners relied on unreliable, untested information about new seed information. All America Selection Trials is actually a national network of trial grounds throughout North American. Different climates across American are chosen to grow new flower and vegetable varieties from the seed industry.  These new seed varieties are assessed by skilled, impartial judges.  The trials only accept new, previously unsold seed varieties. The number of sites may vary; however, the trials are conducted each year. Only a few plant selections make All America selections which vary from year to year. Last year there were 6 selections. In 2006 there are 11 selections that made the final cut.

The 2006 garden seed catalogs always spark gardeners interest as many are planning for next year season. Take advantage of these meticulous seed trials and add a 2005 All American Selection in your flower or vegetable garden.

     Below are the 2006 winners for flowers and vegetables. Information courtesy of University of Illinois and All American Selections www.all-americaselections.org/

Dianthus ‘Supra Purple’ Bedding Plant Award Winner
'Supra Purple' fills garden space with color. This dianthus is a cross between various species and the result is a strong plant that will flower under hot summer growing conditions. 'Supra Purple' plants remain under a foot in height.

Diascia‘Diamonte Coral Rose’ Cool Season Bedding Plant Award Winner'Diamonte Coral Rose' is an improved variety in a class that was relatively unknown five years ago. Diascia is native to South Africa, like gerbera and dimorphotheca. 'Diamonte Coral Rose' exhibits earliness, freedom of bloom and hybrid vigor as improved traits. The category, Cool Season Bedding Plant Trial, means 'Diamonte Coral Rose' was tested at southern sites during the winter, and won the award.

Nicotiana ‘Perfume Deep Purple’ Bedding Plant Award Winner 'Perfume Deep Purple' flowers are shaped like stars. The stars shine at night and this is when 'Perfume Deep Purple' begins its performance. Quite heat tolerant, plants need minimal maintenance. Only water and fertile soil are needed for 'Perfume Deep Purple' to bloom profusely all summer. Grow stars in your garden this summer - plant 'Perfume Deep Purple.'

Ornamental Pepper ‘Black Pearl’ Flower Award Winner
The standout quality is that 'Black Pearl' looks better as the summer season progresses. The plants branch, producing more clusters of black, pearl-like, shiny peppers. 'Black Pearl' is exceptionally heat tolerant and requires minimal water and fertilizer. 'Black Pearl' has already been selected as a "most popular" new plant by consumers visiting a trial ground. Its foliage, color and low care will attract many gardeners and "non-gardeners" to 'Black Pearl.' It performs exceptionally well in containers and deserves to be featured as the centerpiece.

Salvia farinacea ‘Evolution’ Flower Award Winner
'Evolution' is the first Salvia farinacea with lilac flower spikes. From a distance, 'Evolution' flowers are several shades lighter than its closest comparison. The plants are quite adaptable and can be grown in patio containers or ceramic pots. The lilac flower spikes can be cut, dried and used as everlasting flowers for bouquets, decorations or craft projects. 'Evolution' needs a sunny spot in an annual or perennial garden for its non-stop color.

VIOLA F1 ‘Skippy XL Red-Gold’Cool Season Bedding Plant Award Winner
'Skippy XL Red-Gold’ flower shape and size are definitely improved. The round 1 1/2 inch flower is similar to a pansy, and larger than many viola blossoms. The lasting and enduring flower color provided by 'Skippy XL Red-Gold' is another notable trait. The freedom of bloom is attributed to the plant's ability to bud and flower under a wide range of temperatures. It is this adaptability that results in continuous bloom.

Zinnia‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ Flower Award Winner
'Zowie! Yellow Flame' is the first semi-tall zinnia with a unique bicolor pattern. It is highly recommended for containers because plants are heat and fairly drought tolerant. With zinnia plants in containers, gardeners will find less time is spent watering.

Carrot‘Purple Haze’Vegetable Award Winner
'Purple Haze' is the only imperator-shaped purple carrot. Purple is a very trendy color and gourmet chefs are always looking for a new vegetable color. 'Purple Haze' has a purple exterior and orange interior. Circles of cut 'Purple Haze' carrots have two distinct colors: a halo of purple with a bright orange center. The best appearance of 'Purple Haze' will be raw in salads or cole slaw. When cooked in water, the purple color will fade.. The strongest purple color will occur when plants are grown at 59-68°F. For gardeners with heavy clay soil, growing 'Purple Haze' carrots in patio containers is a snap. Use the same growing directions as soil, but water more frequently, since the soil in containers has a tendency to dry out more rapidly.

Cilantro ‘Delfino’ Vegetable Award Winner
'Delfino' is an aromatic, edible herb, and unlike other coriander has unique, fine fern-like foliage. 'Delfino,' like all cilantro, offer gardeners two distinctly different flavors in one handsome plant.  'Delfino' is a dual nature herb - two flavors in one plant that is adaptable to container gardening. Plant 'Delfino' next to the edges so it cascades over the lip of the pot, adding the handsome texture to a full sun container garden.

Pepper ‘Carmen’ Vegetable Award Winner
'Carmen' is an improved sweet pepper with an unusual shape. Most gardeners think of a bell shape when "sweet" peppers are mentioned. Not so any more. 'Carmen' plants are productive with an upright, medium height of 28 to 30 inches. This plant size is perfectly adaptable to larger patio containers. Grow 'Carmen' plants with sun-loving, trailing annuals such as verbena to drape over the edge. This is the most trendy combination planter - growing edibles and annuals together. 'Carmen' is easy to grow in gardens or larger sized containers.

Pepper  ‘Mariachi’ Vegetable Award Winner
'Mariachi' is named after the Mexican regional musical band that became popular in Jalisco, Mexico in the mid-1800's. Both the band and the pepper are festive and colorful, reminding us to enjoy our outdoor living spaces and gardens. 'Mariachi' chiles can be used in salsas or sauces and are especially flavorful when roasted whole on the grill or under the broiler. 'Mariachi' peppers can be used in many dishes, either raw or cooked, but the reason to grow vegetables is the exceptional taste and highest nutritional value - fresh from your garden