perennial plant sof the year

When I’m choosing plants for my garden, I don’t have a lot of time or money to waste. That’s why every year, I check out the All-America Selections winners – flowers and vegetables that have been tested by a network of independent judges and proven themselves as easy-care plants offering superior performance.

And this year I’m especially excited, because for the first time, winning plants will be available the same year they receive the award. That means the following 2010 winners will be available as plants and/or seeds this spring.

Here’s a roundup of this year’s winners, perfect for low-maintenance or easy-care gardening. For more information on a particular plant, click on its name below or visit www.all-americaselections.org.

Gaillardia F1 ‘Mesa Yellow’ (upper right)

The first hybrid blanket flower with a neat, mounded habit and prolific flowering. Daisy-like, 3-inch flowers and globe shaped seed heads offer summer-long, superior presentation of color. Blooms appear two to three weeks earlier than competitors, attract butterflies and are great for cutting. Ideal for small-space gardens and containers. When placed near the inside edge of a container, it will cascade down the container. Relatively maintenance-free and wind- and rain-resistant. Recovers quickly in severe weather.

Marigold F1 Hybrid African ‘Moonsong Deep Orange’  

Intense, deep-orange, fade-resistant flower color that   makes other marigolds look more golden than orange. Long-lasting,  2½- to 3½ inch, fully double blooms “rank among the best of the class.” Easy to grow in a 5- to 6- inch pot and highly heat- and drought-tolerant. Erect plants grow 12-15 inches tall. Foliage covers old blooms, keeping the plants looking fresh.

Snapdragon F1 ‘Twinny Peach’

This double or butterfly-form snapdragon is unique because of its blend of soft peaches, yellows and light oranges, and because it doesn’t have the jaws or joints to “snap.”  Abundant flower spikes for cutting. Flowers all season long with little garden care.  Easy to grow and extremely heat-tolerant.

Viola F1 ‘Endurio Sky Blue Martien’  

This unique spreading/mounding viola looks delicate, but is tough as nails. In warmer climates, it flowers throughout the winter, laughing off wind, rain, cold and passing snowfalls. In colder climates, it offers two-season color – flowering well after first frost when planted in fall and again in spring after snow has melted and soil has warmed. It can also be planted in early spring. Ideal for window boxes and hanging gardens as well as balcony and patio planters.

Zahara Zinnias (‘Starlight Rose’ at right)

Crosses between zinnia species has resulted in this disease-resistant and heat- and drought-tolerant line of zinnias offering reliable, season-long performance. ‘Double Zahara Cherry’ and ‘Double Zahara Fire’ are both double flowering. ‘Zahara Starlight Rose’ (available as plants or seeds) is a new rose and white bicolor.

Pepper ‘Cajun Belle’

There’s Cajun flavor –- sweet and savory — in this small bell pepper (1 oz., 2-by 3-inches). Compact plants are early to mature, show no disease problems and at 2-feet tall and wide, perfect for containers.

Watermelon F1 Hybrid ‘Shiny Boy’

This red-fleshed, 20 lb., globe-shaped melon won a taste test against comparisons with its sweet tropical flavor and crisp texture. Earlier than other varieties, it’s also healthy and tolerant of severe weather. It can be grown vertically in small spaces and produces high yields.

Echinacea purpurea ‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’

Differs from all purple coneflowers for flower color, branching and plant size. Deep rose-purple, 3- to 4-inch flowers that keep their color longer. First-year-flowering perennial is basal branching, which means more flowers. Grows 20 to 24 inches high. Thrives with few insect or disease problems.