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This year’s AAS honour list

Each year All American Selections (AAS), an organization dedicated to promoting new variety of seeds, trial many new varieties of plants throughout North America.

Each year All American Selections (AAS), an organization dedicated to promoting new variety of seeds, trial many new varieties of plants throughout North America.

In Alberta the trial gardens are at the Bowden Nursery and the Botanic Gardens by Devon.

Numerous plants are trialed but only a few get the distinction of being selected. Most of the plants are discarded as unworthy. Plants that are selected must be an improvement of what is already on the market.

This year seven plants have received the designation of being an All American Selection

Here’s the winners:

Gaillardia Arizona Apricot was chosen for the flower colour, size and length of time it stays in bloom. The large daisy-type flower is yellow at the tips and apricot in the center.

Place this perennial close to the front of the bed as it will only reach the height of 12 inches (30 cm). Arizona Apricot blooms from early summer until it is killed by a heavy frost in the fall.

Gaillardia should be placed in full sun. Once they are established gaillardia plants are drought resistant.

Ornamental kale has never looked this good before. Glamour Red’s leaves are brightly coloured and not dulled by the typical waxy look of kale. For the best display, plant kale in full sun, spacing the plants 12 inches (30 cm) apart.

Kale is a cool crop which means that it comes into its own in cooler weather. The plants will begin to show colour when the night temperature drops below 55F (13C) for 2 weeks.

Salvia Summer Jewel Red was chosen for the longevity and size of its blossom. The bright red flowers appear early in the year and continue until frost. The plant is considered weather tolerant and will thrive despite wind and rain. Plants do best in full sunlight and can be used for both baskets and borders.

Summer Jewel Red is a must for all who enjoy watching hummingbirds buzz through the garden.

Viola Shangri-La Marina F1 is a compact biannual. This viola produces a light blue flower with a baby face. If planted in the fall, it will flower until it is covered in snow and reappear again the next spring. The plant retains its mound shape all season.

Shangri-La Marina plants flourish grows in containers or in the front of a plant border.

Pumpkin Hijinks F1 is grown for the multitude of small six to seven pound pumpkins (around three kg) that are produced in a season. Start the plants indoor to be transplanted out after the last frost. Placing the plants under a row cover will speed up their growth. As with all pumpkins Hijinks will do best in a hot sunny location where it receives plenty of water.

Tomato Lizzano F1 will grow to approximately 20 inches (50 cm) in height and width. This small tomato can be grown in a basket or staked in the garden. The plant will produce a multitude of small cherry tomatoes approximately 63 days after transplant.

Tomato Terenzo F1 is a tumbler tomato that should be grown in a basket or pot. If placed in a hot sunny spot and given plenty of water, Terenzo will produce an abundance of cherry-sized tomatoes that can be eaten as a snack or placed in salads. Plants should start producing edible fruit 56 days from transplant.

Seeds for the above plants are available through most seed houses and through larger garden outlets. The AAS designation allows gardeners to try their new seeds with some confidence that they thrive.

Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist and educator living in Rocky Mountain House. You can contact her at your_garden@hotmail.com