By Andi Anderson
As spring approaches, gardeners eagerly plan their 2025 gardens, seeking fresh additions. The All-America Selections (AAS) is a non-profit organization that annually tests and awards top-performing plants.
These winners undergo rigorous trials in various climates across the U.S. and Canada, ensuring they thrive in different regions.
This year, 15 varieties earned the AAS title, with 14 suitable for Illinois gardens. These include four outstanding vegetables and ten vibrant flowers, each bringing unique qualities to home landscapes.
Vegetable Winners:
- Kohlrabi Konstance F1 – A purple kohlrabi with a long harvest window, crack-resistant skin, and sweet yet peppery bulbs. Ready in 42 days from seed.
- Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1 – A mini yellow snack pepper with high yields and disease resistance, maturing in 65 days from transplant.
- Squash Green Lightning F1 – A glossy green Pattypan squash with a small seed cavity and excellent flesh quality, maturing in 40-52 days.
- Squash Thriller F1 – An orange dumpling squash with powdery mildew resistance, ideal for fall gardens, ready in 80-85 days.
Flower Winners:
- Dahlia Black Forest Ruby – A deep ruby-red dahlia with dark foliage, blooming in 85 days.
- Dianthus Capitán Magnifica – Heat and cold-tolerant pink blooms, great for cut flowers.
- Marigold Mango Tango – A compact, bi-colored marigold with prolific blooms.
- Nasturtium Baby Series (Gold, Red, Yellow) – Mounding, compact flowers with edible leaves and petals.
- Petunia Dekko Maxx Pink – A fast-spreading pink petunia with weather resistance.
- Snapdragon DoubleShot Yellow Red Heart – A long-lasting, heat-resistant snapdragon with bright colors.
- Zinnia Zydeco Fire – A large, double-flowered orange zinnia with disease-resistant foliage.
These winners promise vibrant gardens and fresh harvests. Visit local garden centers or explore the AAS website for more award-winning plant options.
Photo Credit: pexels-greta-hoffman
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle