AAS Winners for 2008

AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner: Osteospermum 'Asti White'
Pure white daisy flowers with blue centers are the main attraction for ‘Asti White.’ The large blooms, 2 to 2-1/2 inches across are borne on stems that gracefully wave in the wind. The thick fleshy leaves indicate its drought tolerance, which makes this a preferred annual in any area subject to dry conditions. ‘Asti White’ is the first white Osteospermum, or Cape Daisy, propagated from seed. There are several advantages. The flowers will remain open under cloudy conditions, unlike other daisy flowers originating from South Africa, which close. ‘Asti White’ plants will flower uniformly about 17 weeks from seed. Gardeners have the choice of growing from seed or purchasing plants depending upon their resources. ‘Asti White’ plants will bloom and recover from a slight frost. These plants can be placed in the spring or fall garden, weeks earlier than other tender annuals. The uniform plants thrive in a sunny garden, reaching about 17 to 20 inches tall and wide. ‘Asti White’ plants adapt perfectly to growing in containers, preferably 6-inch pots or larger. Osteospermum ecklonis, bred and produced by Goldsmith Seeds, Inc.

AAS Cool-Season Bedding Plant Award Winner: Viola ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’
Sunny gold faces charm people gazing at ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold.’ The flowers are uniquely designed with plum shades surrounding the golden centers (face), which contain radiating black lines affectionately called whiskers. The blooms are small, about 1-1/2 inches, but are not to be underrated. The number of blooms produced more than makes up for the size. ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ won the AAS Award for its ability to grow a lavish number of blooms. In the North, plants can be expected to bloom beginning with spring to the heat of summer. In the South, a fall planting may provide flowering golden faces throughout the winter. The petite plants growing 6 to 8 inches tall and wide are highly recommended for combination planters. Gardeners can rely on ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ to provide abundant blooms whether growing in containers, window boxes, an annual or perennial garden. ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ may be a perennial in southern regions. Seed or bedding plants will be available in garden centers this fall or spring. Viola cornuta ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ was bred by Kieft Seeds Holland.

AAS Vegetable Award Winner: Eggplant ‘Hansel’
Best described as a miniature eggplant, ‘Hansel’ is a smaller-sized plant with finger-sized clusters of fruit. Just because of its smaller size, don’t make the mistake of thinking it produces less fruit. The strong plant, reaching less than three feet, produces clusters of three to six fruit. They mature early, about 55 days from transplanting into warm soil. This is about 10 days earlier than the comparison eggplant. If the 3-inch fruit clusters are left on the plant, they grow in size, but remain tender and non-bitter, unlike other eggplant. This trait offers gardeners flexibility in harvest such as when taking a much-needed vacation. The fruit will be waiting for you as long as it’s not a three-week cruise. If you prefer to garden in containers, ‘Hansel’ is highly recommended for your shopping list. ‘Hansel’ adapts perfectly to container growing conditions. The diminutive plant fits on smaller patios or decks but provides high yields of shiny purple eggplants ready to marinate and grill. ‘Hansel’ will be available as seed and young bedding plants. This AAS Winner, Solanum melongena, was bred by Seminis Vegetable Seed.