All Americans for 2018

by Ray Novitske, Fairfax Master Gardener

All-American Selections Inc. has announced its All-American plant winners for 2018. This year, six blooming plants and eight edibles made the annual list. They represent the plants that demonstrate the best garden performance across North America as a result of growing in trial and test gardens.

The non-profit organization has been making its annual selections since 1932 based on performance at trial gardens across America. Judging is performed by selected industry experts, past judges, universities, public gardens, growers, brokers, extension agents, and retailers. More information about the history and judging can be found on our story about last year’s winners, Calling All-Americans.

In our area, the annual winners can be viewed growing at the following gardens during the growing season:

• Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD — flower winners only are displayed
• Clyburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD — flower winners only are displayed
• Parkside High A+ Garden, Salisbury, MD
• Virginia Tech Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, VA — flower winners only are displayed
• J. Sargeant Reynolds Community Garden, Goochland, VA
• Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, VA
• Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA

Past year winners and Gold Medal winners can be found on the All-American Selections web site.

Cana South Pacific Orange F1		Cuphea FloriGlory Diana
Gypsophila Gypsy White Improved		Marigold Super Hero Spry
Pak Choi Asian Delight F1		Pepper Cayenne Red Ember
Pepper Habanero Roulette		Pepper Hungarian Mexican Sunrise
Tomato Chef’s Choice Red		Tomato Valentine
Zinnia Queeny Lime Orange		Corn, Sweet American Dream
Ornamental Pepper Onyx Red		Tomato, cocktail Red Racer