Originally Published In The Deseret News -- Thursday, January 22, 1998
Larry Sagers Is A Horticulturist With The Utah State University Extension Service.
Finding new and exciting flower and vegetable varieties is part of the quest of every gardener. And like others everywhere, I am always excited to see what is being introduced and hear about new plants I might want to grow.
The All-America Selections committee has chosen two new vegetable varieties and two new flowers as winners for 1998. The prestigious honor is only awarded after the varieties are grown in designated gardens across North America. In these tests they must prove that they are superior to other varieties on the market and meet specific standards for quality and vigor. Enough seed must be available for normal expected market requirements.
One of the honored varieties, the Victoria Rose, is a free-flowering impatiens that has abundant flowers like single-flowering plants but has extra petals in the flower so it is classified as a double. The flowering capability of Victoria Rose distinguishes it from other double-flowering impatiens because it produces many more flowers than the traditional types. It will flower for six months or longer and does best under semi-shaded growing conditions. One important feature of this plant is that unlike any other double-flowered impatiens, this type produces no unsightly litter. Impatiens are tricky to grow from seed, so you may want to select this one as a bedding plant.
The Prism Sunshine is a grandiflora petunia with pure yellow blossoms. The blossoms do not fade in full sunlight or turn pink under stressful conditions. The flowers are more than 3 inches in diameter and are abundant on these vigorous plants. In addition to producing more flowers than other yellow petunias, they also have a longer growing season. The plants promise exceptional garden performance and are heat- and drought-tolerant. They grow best in full sun. Look for this variety as a bedding plant in garden centers.
This year's vegetable choices include Swiss chard and basil. Some would say that basil is an herb, not a vegetable, but all edible crops fall into the vegetable category.
The Swiss chard called Bright Lights gets its name from the many different colors on the stems or petioles. While rainbows of flowers are common, you will seldom see a rainbow of colors on vegetables, so this plant is truly unusual. The common colors of the white petioles on chard got a big boost when Rhubarb Chard was introduced, but Bright Lights is even more spectacular. The colors of the stems range from yellow, gold, orange, pink, crimson, lavender and purple to shades of the primary colors.
The plants show early color when they are only three to five weeks old. They are easy to grow from seed or transplants. This variety tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and responds to higher fertility with more rapid growth. You can harvest the plants several times if the leaves are cut just above the soil line. Plant the seeds in well-prepared soil, when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lemon basil Sweet Dani is noted for its strong lemon scent. The plant is upright, with a uniform branching habit and shape. The leaves are ready to harvest 60 to 90 days after seed sowing. Plants produce many leaves and can be cut back several times with excellent regrowth. White flower spikes add interest. Like all basil plants this variety needs warm growing conditions, so don't try to plant them too early in the season. The plants are easy to grow from seed but will be more productive if they are started indoors.
If you cannot find these seeds or transplants locally, send me a stamped, self-addressed envelope, c/o the Deseret News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110, for a list of companies that offer the AAS winners for 1998.
© 1998 Deseret News Publishing Co.