All-America Selections (AAS; www.all-americaselections.org) is an independent non-profit organ, the Saskatchewan Perennial Societyization that tests new, never-before available, bedding plants, perennials and vegetables in test locations across the United States and Canada. Only the best performers make it through the competition so their recommendations are worth a try. Late last year they announced a first set of winners - eight in total - that I wrote about this past January. Not long ago, they announced a further four winning ornamentals - a veritable bumper crop of champions.
First up is New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) Florific Sweet Orange. With 5cm (2in.) bicoloured blooms in shades of light salmon through deep orange against bronze foliage, it's a great addition to your shade garden. Planted en mass in a bed for maximum appeal, in hanging baskets or in deck containers, Florific Sweet Orange brighten up darker areas in your garden season long. It is a medium tall (25-60 cm/10-24 in.) annual so it is best planted towards the front to middle of the border. Since they fill in quickly, they can be spaced 30 cm (12 in.) apart in the garden. Keep consistently moist but never soggy. As an added bonus, they are resistant to impatiens down mildew, the scourge of other cultivars.
Moving out of the shade is the next winner: angelonia Serinita Pink (Angelonia angustifolia). Related to and resembling snapdragons give rise to its other common name, summer snapdragons. Serinita has hot pink flowers (with a contrasting dark throat) on moderate tall spikes, 30 - 35 cm (12 - 14 in.) in height. A heat and drought tolerant plant, it performs best in well drained soil with 4 - 6 hours of full sun. It is equally suited in containers or in beds towards the front (20-25 cm/8-10 in. apart). AAS describes it as easy to grow and maintain - ideal for beginner gardeners.
Another full-sun winner is osteospermum Akila Daisy White (Osteospermum ecklonis). Medium (5 cm/2 in.) daisy-like flowers (clear white with yellow centres) are held above dark green foliage; plants range 25 - 60 cm/8 - 24 in. in height. Flowering season long, they are drought and heat tolerant once established. Judges in the southern USA remarked they were impressed with this cultivars ability to keep blooming in the heat, boding well for an excellent show during our dog days of August. Plant in early spring, on 25 - 30 cm/10 - 12 in. centres. Grows equally well in containers.
Rounding out this batch of winners is ornamental pepper NuMex Easter (Capsicum annuum). The white flowers are not particularly showy, but the clusters of 4 to 6 fruit at the ends of branches point up, above the foliage, and range in colour from lavender to light yellow as they ripen towards light orange. The compact plant (25 cm/10 in. tall) is well branched, guaranteeing a steady supply of Easter-coloured fruit. It will be popular at future Easters as a houseplant, but is perfectly at home outdoors in the garden as well. For best results, plant in well drained soil where they'll receive full sun daylong. It is drought, heat, rain and wind resistant making it relatively low maintenance. The small, colourful peppers are edible (but I don't guarantee the flavour) and might make a fun addition to a spring salad.
Since these and other 2014 champions are brand-new, expect limited availability this season from both your favourite seed catalogues and local greenhouses. That doesn't mean to give up hope of finding them, but you'll have more success next year. If you want to see recent winners up close and personal, check out the AAS display garden this summer by the south entrance to the Agriculture Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
- This column is provided courtesy of the Saskatchewan Perennial Society (www.saskperennial.ca; [email protected]).
