Wide Range of Plants Join Select
While many All-America Selections Award Winners were bred in the United States, including two in California, several were developed in other countries, such as the “Giant Marconi” pepper from Italy.
Although AAS winners are new plants that have never been sold, they are not always hybrids. Among this year’s selections, the “Profusion White” zinnia and the “Ring of Fire” sunflower are open-pollinated.
Here are the 2001 All-America Selections Award Winners:
* “Avalon Bright Pink” nicotiana: This improved dwarf nicotiana provides multitudes of star-shaped, bright pink blooms over a long growing season. It can be used in sunny borders and in containers. It can also attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers reach 1 1/2 inches and the plant grows 7 to 10 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide.
* “Forever Blue” Eustoma (lisianthus): Originally a North American wildflower, this blue flower has a distinct branching habit resulting in lush, full plants that are continuously flowering. It is compact and perfect for containers. The flowers reach 2 1/2 inches and the plant grows 12 inches high and 8 to 10 inches wide.
* “Giant Marconi” pepper: Pictures don’t do this pepper justice. About 6 to 8 inches long, the tapered green pepper matures to red. Although it tastes great raw, it is best grilled. Produces abundantly over a long growing season. It is resistant to tobacco masaic virus and potato virus Y, common viruses affecting peppers.
* “Honey Select” sweet corn: This is a tender corn with a sweet honey flavor. Unlike other super-sweet types, this one does not require isolation from other corn pollen. The yellow ears are about 8 inches long and mature in about 79 days. Mature ears can be harvested over a long time without losing quality. Plants grow 7 feet high.
* “Jolly” tomato: This is a distinctly shaped pink cherry-type tomato with a point at the blossom end. It is meaty and sweet, making it perfect for salads. It is produced in grape-like clusters of nine to 14 fruit that are generally 1 1/2 ounces.
* “Margarita Rosita” portulaca: This is a moss rose with large 1 1/2-inch semi-double, deep pink blooms. It flowers for months when grown in sunny, well-drained soil. It is heat and drought tolerant and thrives in containers. The plant grows 4 to 6 inches high and spreads 12 to 14 inches.
* “Profusion White” zinnia: This selection captured the Gold Medal Flower Award because of its ease of growing and long flowering season. Its white 2 1/2-inch single daisy-like flowers require no pinching. It blooms all season, filling flower beds and spreading 12 to 24 inches. Resistant to powdery mildew.
* “Ring of Fire” sunflower: This eye-catching gold and red sunflower creates many blooms. Long stems make it perfect for cutting. Blooms are 5 to 6 inches and the plant grows 4 to 5 feet tall.
* “Super Star” onion: The first hybrid onion to win an AAS award and the first onion to place for 53 years. When spaced properly and grown to maturity, this onion can grow to nearly two pounds. It is more widely adaptable to its locale than most other onions. It has a mild sweet flavor and is good eaten raw or lightly grilled.
