This winter as you skim through garden catalogs, you will see a number of new varieties of flowers and veggies listed. But how do you really know if that new plant is a fit for your garden?

The All-America Selections organization conducts plant trials on new varieties of flowers and veggies. After extensive evaluation in trial gardens across the United States, only the best are designated as All-America Selections Winners. For 2007, three flowers and a vegetable were chosen as All-America Selections.

Celosia "Fresh Look Gold"

Correctly named, these plants look as fresh in September as they did when planted in the spring. "Fresh Look Gold" plants are embellished with bright golden plumes that remain colorful all season, not "browning" with maturity. Since the plumes remain attractive, there is no reason to deadhead and no pest problems are expected, "Fresh Look Gold" needs little maintenance in a sunny garden.

It is a carefree annual useful in formal or informal gardens. The golden plumes can be woven into a garden bed like a living tapestry because the plumes have a soft layered texture.

This celosia proved to be heat, humidity and rain tolerant in AAS Trials across North America. Plants will grow to a height of one foot. It is considered one of the best annuals for season-long performance.

Data:
Genus species: Celosia plumosa
Common name: Woolflower, Plumed, or Feather celosia
Plant height: 12 inches
Plant width: 12 inches
Garden Spacing: 10 to 12 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 110 days
Closest comparison(s) on market: "Fresh Look Yellow," "Castle Yellow"

Petunia F1 "Opera Supreme Pink Morn"

Iridescent pink blooms are the unique feature of this vigorous trailing petunia. A silvery shine causes blooms to shimmer, capturing an admirer's attention from a distance. The 2 1/2-inch flowers are pink, shading to creamy white in the center, with a yellow throat.

"Opera Supreme Pink Morn" plants have many qualities that every gardener wants to find. Plants are continuously flowering. The hybrid plants are capable of growing three feet in sunny locations. This spreading quality covers garden soil and can choke weeds beautifully. Plants attain a height of only 4 to 6 inches. This petunia can be relied on for exceptional garden performance without pruning or deadheading.

Data:
Genus species: Petunia x hybrida
Common name: Petunia
Plant height: 4 to 6 inches
Plant width: Spread of 3 feet
Garden Spacing: Two feet apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 90 to 110 days
Closest comparison(s) on market: "Wave Pink," "Celebrity Chiffon Morn"

Vinca "Pacifica Burgundy Halo"

This is the first vinca with a burgundy halo surrounding a large white center. The bicolor bloom is a vivid contrast, exceptionally visible in an annual garden. Early flowering with a well balanced plant form, "Pacifica Burgundy Halo" is highly recommended for spring or summer plantings. With proven heat and drought tolerance, garden performance is assured. In a full sun garden location, these vinca plants will reach a foot tall and wide when mature. Due to the ease of growing and continuous flowering, it is suitable for any garden or patio planters that receive sun. Because Vinca needs less water than other annuals, planting in containers means fewer trips with the hose to water. No pinching required.

Data:
Genus species: Catharanthus roseus
Common name: Vinca
Plant height: 12 inches
Plant width: 10 to 12 inches
Garden Spacing: 10 to 12 inches
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 60 days
Closest comparison(s) on market: 'Stardust Orchid,' 'Pacifica Burgundy'

Pepper F1 "Holy Mole"

"Holy Mole" is a memorable name and the plant will provide a memorable harvest of peppers. It is the first hybrid pasilla-type pepper, which is used to make the famous mole sauce. "Holy Mole" showed improved vigor, earliness and considerably higher yield than the comparisons in side-by-side trials. A reason for the higher yield is the virus resistances bred into the variety. It is resistant to two common viruses that stunt plants and reduce pepper production. The immature green peppers are 7 to 9 inches long and can be harvested in about 85 days from transplanting. If fruit is left on the plant, they will mature to a dark chocolate color. The pepper flavor is nutty and tangy. Mature plants are 3 feet tall; a perfect size for patio containers. It is easily grown in a sunny location and thrives on summer heat.

Data:
Genus species: Capsicum annuum
Common name: Pepper
Fruit size: 8 inches long, 1.5 inches wide; fruit weight 1/2 to 2 ounces
Plant height: 20 inches
Plant width: 20 inches
Plant habit: Indeterminate growth, upright plant, spreading branches
Garden Spacing: 2 feet apart
Disease tolerances: Potato virus Y and Tobacco Mosaic Virus Strains 0, 1 and 2
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 120 days
Closest comparison(s) on market: "Pasilla Bajio," "Pasilla Chile"

It may take a year or so for transplants of these new varieties to be available. Seeds can usually be purchased from major seed companies like W. Altee Burpee & Co. - 1-800-333-5808 and Park Seed Company -1-800-213-0076. For more information about recent and past All-America Selections winners, checkout the following website: http://www.all-americaselections.org