The Envelope Please: by Tom Butzler

The entertainment award season is upon us as shows continue through January and February highlighting the glitz and glamour of this industry. Just as notable achievements in the movie, television, and music industry are recognized, the plant industry also gives acknowledgement to plants that perform above expectations in trials and tests and ready for the gardening public.


There are a variety of plant communities and associations out there that promote new plants but there are a few that are notable in their selection process. The All American Selections (AAS) has been around since 1933 to promote new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America. Their long track record gives them some authority in the gardening community on top performing plants.

 Two of the 2012 AAS award winners are peppers, one selected for its ornamental qualities and the other for it vegetable garden characteristics. ‘Black Olive’ pepper was notable for its purple leaves that stand-out in a landscape setting. The ornamental fruit also starts off purple but turns red as it matures and is very eye appealing with the dark, purple leaves in the background. If hot summers become a trend, this is one plant that should make it into your flower garden as it withstood heat very well in southern trials. The chile pepper 'Cayennetta' (mildly spicy) was chosen for its ease of growing, prolific fruit production, and its ability to withstand heat.

All season long 'Black Olive' kept its upright habit
with nicely draping leaves and dark purple/black
fruit which appeared in small clusters along the stems. 
Photo courtesy of All America Selections

'Cayennetta' is a mildly spicy 3 to 4-inch chili
pepper that requires no staking which would make it perfect
for a container or patio planter. 
Photo courtesy of All America Selections

Two other plants were selected as winners by AAS. A non-traditional watermelon, 'Faerie’ was chosen for several characteristics such as its creamy, yellow rind with thin stripes and sweet pink-red flesh with a high sugar content and crisp texture. Salvia 'Summer Jewel Pink' was on the award podium because of its blooming capabilities and earliness over other salvias.

Home gardeners will like growing something unique
in their garden and the fact that 'Faerie’ vines are vigorous
yet spread only to 11' means it takes up less space in the garden. 
Photo courtesy of All America Selections

Salvia 'Summer Jewel Pink' dwarf sized, compact
plant has a prolific bloom count throughout
the growing season.  Photo courtesy of All America
Selections

Whereas the AAS picks multiple winners, the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) picks just one based on its suitability for a wide range of growing climates, low maintenance requirements, multiple-season interest, and relatively pest/disease-free status. Their 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year is Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’. This is a great plant for those garden spots that get shade or only early morning sun. One of its ornamental appeals is the silvery leaves with touches of green along the veins and margins. The other eye appeal is the mid to late spring, blooming blue flowers that hover above the foliage.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' is noted for its shade tolerance and
early baby-blue, forget-me-not like
flowers.  Photo courtesy of the
Perennial Plant Association.

The award shows on TV just don’t excite me much but show me an award winning plant and my eyes will light up.