Aug 27, 2013

Have You Voted?

Well, the summer growing season is nearing its end and hopefully you’ve had a chance to check out the 2013 American Garden Awards entries or even trial them yourself!

The American Garden Award is a unique opportunity for the gardening public to vote on a specific flower that they think has the most appealing garden characteristics. Some of the world’s most prestigous flower breeders have chosen their best varieties to enter into this competition. Then, in cooperation with respected public gardens throughout the country, entries are presented so the plants can be viewed in person.

There are only four more days until voting officially closes. So if you haven’t voted yet, what are you waiting for? Voting ends Aug. 31!

This year four striking varieties are on display at participating gardens (click here for a list). You can vote in person at any of these gardens or online at www.americangardenaward.org.

To learn more about the American Garden Award entries, here’s a brief description below.

Impatiens ‘SunPatiens Compact Electric Orange’ (Sakata)

With vibrant, deep orange blooms, Electric Orange is a new color in the SunPatiens line. It fills in quickly, providing three seasons of color in the garden and in containers. SunPatiens thrive in sun or shade and grow readily rain or shine. They are low-maintenance plants they require little care beyond watering.

Petunia ‘Surfinia Summer Double Pink’ (Suntory)

This new double petunia offers dramatically improved garden performance. Plants are heat tolerant, and flowers remain double in 90-degree heat. Surfinia Summer Doubles flower early and start blooming in small pots. They have a tight, mounding shape with many branches and are uniform across all colors.

Verbena ‘Lanai Candy Cane’ (Syngenta Flowers)

Early to flower with outstanding powdery mildew tolerance, ‘Lanai Candy Cane’ features large, striking flower heads with a unique red and white color pattern. This variety offers continuous summer blooms stacked atop a well-balanced plant habit.

Zinnia ‘Zahara Cherry’ (PanAmerican Seed)

This new zinnia boasts large flowers on a disease-tolerant, heat-loving plant with low water needs. ‘Zahara Cherry’ can be grown in both containers and landscape beds. This fast-growing plant blooms continuously all season long and performs well in full sun.

Which American Garden Award nominee is your favorite? I’ve already voted for mine; have you voted for yours?

If you’ve had the chance to grow any of these stunning beauties, how did they perform in your greenhouse? Shoot me an e-mail, and let me know!

– Jasmina