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Last AAS winners for 2017

All America Selections (AAS) is a non-profit trialing organization for plants that demonstrate great performance in the garden throughout North America.
zinnia
Zinnia Profusion Red is easy to grow and simply beautiful in containers. Photo courtesy All American Selections

All America Selections (AAS) is a non-profit trialing organization for plants that demonstrate great performance in the garden throughout North America. The columns over the past couple of weeks have profiled some of the 2017 winners and in this column we will cover the remaining choices. If you are interested in purchasing seed please go to the All America Selections website for a list of seed houses that sell seed of the winning plants. The url is http://all-americaselections.org/buy-winners/.

Okra Candle Fire F1 is a unique red okra with round pods rather than the usual ribbed pods. It is the brightest red of the reddish burgundy okras currently available. It demonstrates great productivity, taste, texture and tenderness as well as the great ornamental value it brings to the garden.

Penstemon barbatus Twizzle Purple F1 is a vibrant purple penstemon with upright growth habit and superb flowering performance. It will grow up to a metre in height so is a pollinator magnet from mid to late summer. Most years it would be an annual in our zone but if we have mild winters you may occasionally see it survive the deep freeze.

Verbena Endura Scape Pink Bicolor is a tough as nails vebena that survives drought, heat or cooler temperatures. Plant this annual in full sun areas and enjoy the beautiful show from spring until frost. It will grow up to a foot in height and has a stunning soft pink blossoms that darken in intensity towards the centre.

Two vincas made the list this year so be sure to enjoy one or both in your garden this season. Look for Vinca Mega Bloom Orchid Halo F1 with its huge bright rich purple blossoms with a white eye, and Vinca Mega Bloom Pink Halo F1 that sports a softer pink blossom with a white eye. They have a dense habit of growth with the blooms staying on the top of the foliage for full flower power colour.

Watermelon Mini Love F1 is a personal-sized Asian watermelon perfect for the smaller garden with vines spreading a only metre in area. It is a deep red-fleshed watermelon that is crisp, sweet and juicy.

Zinnia Profusion Red is the last 2017 winner that is compact in form but has continuous true red blooms throughout the season. It is easy to grow and simply beautiful in containers or in beds in your garden.

Try these AAS winners in your garden and enjoy growing selections guaranteed to be superb.

— Hanbidge is a horticulturist with the Saskatoon School of Horticulture and can be reached at 306-931-GROW(4769); by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com or check out our website at www.saskhort.com.