Episode Details

In today’s newsletter podcast: Diane Blazek, Executive Director of All-America Selections (AAS) and the National Garden Bureau, explains how a plant is selected to become an All-America Selection winning plant.

In Episode 243 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Podcast, Diane goes into the details of each of the winning plants in the 2023 AAS plant competition. Give it a listen while looking at the pictures and comments. More info, plus 90 years worth of previous winners, at the AAS website.

Coleus Premium Sun Coral Candy

Foliage Color: MultiPlant Habit: MoundedPlant Height: 10-16 inches

Does well indoors, in a window with good natural lighting.

JUDGE'S OBSERVATIONS

* “Leaves are vibrant on a very tight, densely leaved plant”

* “Each plant is very uniform, with only minor fading when in full sun”

* “Very nice habit, excellent color, very full, robust, and rounded”

* “This is excellent for container plantings”

* “Phenomenal compact growth habit with appealing foliage color”

=====================

Colocasia ROYAL HAWAIIAN® Waikiki

Foliage Color: Deep-green glossy foliage with white markings and vivid pink veinsPlant Habit: Clump formingPlant Height: 36 inches

Also known as Taro or Elephant’s Ear

JUDGE'S OBSERVATIONS

* “Great foliage color on a compact plant”

* “Color holds up well even in full sun and after a frost”

* “Lush, large full leaves with great color”

* “Tricolor foliage is stunning, red petioles stand out”

* “A fantastic elephant ear that will add drama to the garden”

==========================

Echinacea Artisan™ Yellow Ombre F1

Plant Habit: BushyPlant Height: 24-34 inchesBloom Time: Summer to frostBloom Color: YellowBloom Size: 3-4 inches

Also known as coneflower.

The designation, “F1” or “F1 Hybrid” after a plant name is - according to my Master Gardener friends - “the first generation hybrid seed or plant that occurs following the successful cross-pollination of one genetically uniform plant variety with another specific genetically uniform variety.”

If you can’t remember that, just tell anybody who asks about F1, “they found it in the back of the very first Ford pickup truck.”

JUDGE'S OBSERVATIONS

* “A more saturated bright yellow flower color”

* “A very nice yellow Echinacea. Consistently better than comparisons”

* “Due to the saturated color of the entry, it deserves an award.”

* “Flower color lasted all season”

* “The foliage was cleaner and slightly larger”

====================

========================

Pepper cayenne Wildcat F1

Plant Height: 36-42 inchesFruit Color (Harvest):