The following are 2005-All American Selection winners. All have been tested in trial gardens across North America. They are all easy to grow and maintain, so give them a try!

Gallardia aristata 'Arizona Sun'

This 'Arizona Sun' is red and yellow. Each three-inch single flower is mahogany red with bright yellow petal edges. The bright colors are similar to the desert sun in Arizona. Like many annuals, plants produce flowers continuously. Even the spent blooms are attractive as tufts of seed. When grown in a full-sun garden, 'Arizona Sun' is a compact plant reaching only 8 to 10 inches tall, spreading about 10 to 12 inches. Gaillardia aristata a.k.a. blanket flower is native to the Great Plains and usually considered a perennial. 'Arizona Sun' performed as an exceptional plant the first year grown from seed. This AAS Winner may over-winter, depending upon the severity of winter. 'Arizona Sun' flowers can be cut and used for summer bouquets. They may attract butterflies to the garden in search of nectar.

Vinca 'First Kiss Blueberry'

The first blue-flowered Catharanthus rosea is an AAS Winner named 'First Kiss Blueberry.' The large 2-inch single blooms have a darker eye, which accentuates the violet blue color. For decades breeders have been diligently working towards a blue Vinca. Now 'First Kiss Blueberry' fills the color void. Gardeners will look for 'First Kiss Blueberry' plants to add to their collection. Proven to be heat and drought tolerant, mature plants will be about 11 inches tall and spread 16 inches, given adequate growing conditions. Easy to grow from plants, 'First Kiss Blueberry' can be grown in patio containers or combination planters.

Zinnia F1 'Magellan Coral'

'Magellan Coral' blooms are radiant. They illuminate the garden. The fully double, dahlia flowered 5- to 6-inch blooms gleam with brilliant coral petals. The flower quality and color are superior to other Zinnia elegans. In addition to the color, 'Magellan Coral' plants are brimming with luminous blooms. Consistent flower production is an improved quality. Earliness to bloom is another exceptional trait. From sowing seed to first bloom requires only 6 to 9 weeks. Mature zinnia plants will reach about 15 to 17 inches tall and spread 15 to 19 inches, depending upon growing conditions. Like all zinnias, 'Magellan Coral' will perform best in a full-sun growing location. This AAS Winner is adaptable to container culture. In the garden, 'Magellan Coral' is undemanding, needing little maintenance.

Tomato F1 'Sugary'

'Sugary.' The name says it all. Judges raved about the sweet tomato flavor. The half-ounce dark pink fruit has a sugar content of 9.5%, higher than most others. The fruit is produced in clusters like grapes and can be eaten like them. 'Sugary' tomatoes have a distinct shape; they are oval with a pointed blossom end. In addition to the flavor, 'Sugary' plants produced a high yield with a noticeable lack of cracked fruit. Look for ripe fruit on the strong semi-indeterminate vines within 60 days from transplanting into warm, prepared garden soil or large containers. Plants are vigorous and may need pruning to contain growth. 'Sugary' should set a new standard for "cherry" size tomatoes with sweet flavor.

Winter Squash F1 'Bonbon'

'Bonbon' is a Cucurbita maxima with three improved traits. They are restricted habit, earliness and superior eating qualities. 'Bonbon' has an upright, semi-bush habit needing less garden space. Mature vines spread about 8 feet. When 'Bonbon' plants are transplanted into a full-sun garden, look for ripe fruit within 81 days; a full week earlier than other varieties. 'Bonbon' squash has thick orange flesh and when cooked delivers sweet flavor (hence the name 'Bonbon') and creamy texture loaded with vitamin A. The "boxy" shaped dark green squash is painted with silver stripes and weighs about four pounds. Easy to grow, 'Bonbon' is not highly susceptible to diseases and is adaptable to any location where squash is grown.

Source: All-America Selections

Revised: December 2005