After more than 80 years of trialing only seed-propagated varieties, All-America Selections (AAS) began trialing vegetatively-propagated varieties early this year. With the 2014 trials now complete, AAS awarded winner status to two impatiens that performed exceptionally well in the AAS container trials for vegetatively-propagated annuals. The winners are SunPatiens Spreading Shell Pink and Bounce Pink Flame. In addition, there are 10 seed varieties that earned the AAS winner designation, which include:
- Pepper varieties of Hot Sunset, Emerald Fire, Flaming Flare and Pretty N Sweet.
All-America Selections named the pepper variety Pretty N Sweet as one its national winners from the 2014 AAS trials. Photo courtesy of All-America Selections. - Squash varieties of Bossa Nova and Butterscotch.
- Tomato variety of Chef’s Choice Pink.
- Basil variety of Dolce Fresca.
- Petunia variety of Trilogy Red.
- Salvia variety of Summer Jewel White.
“The AAS judges, board of directors and staff are excited to enter this new phase where we now represent a wider cross-section of the horticulture industry,” says Ron Cramer, AAS president. “This ushers in a whole new facet of our national trialing program.” AAS winners will be available in time for the 2015 gardening season.
All national and regional winners have been tested for garden performance by the AAS judges. After the judges submit their scores, those varieties that perform best over all of North America become AAS National Winners. Entries that performed particularly well in certain regions are named AAS Regional Winners.
