It’s a new year and if you’re like a lot of gardeners, you’re looking for new plants to try in your Indianapolis landscape. Fortunately, there are organizations that trial plants throughout the country in All-America Selections gardens.
Horticulture experts evaluate the plants’ attributes and how they compare to what’s already on the market. Those deemed new and better are introduced to the gardening public as All-America Selections winners. Here are three 2024 winners in the annual category.
Perfect for a long-blooming summer container
Burning Embers celosia bloomed all summer. Photo courtesy All-America Selections
Burning Embers celosia (C. plumosa)
Judges said this was the best performing celosia in the trial gardens, with large, long-blooming flowers. The pink-veined bronze leaves look great with the reddish- pink flowers. Does well in heat and humidity. Flowers are good for pollinators and for cutting. With a mounded compact form, 8 to 9 inch tall, Burning Embers does well in a container in a sunny location. Or use it in the landscape.
Perfect for a pot or in the ground
Siam Gold marigolds are strong summer bloomers. Photo courtesy All-America Selections
Siam Gold marigold (Tagetes erecta)
Plant breeders have improved the form and staying power of marigolds and Siam Gold in no exception. A judge said this marigold had continuous blooms, with the plant covered all summer. This is another good candidate for a container or the ground in a sunny location. It gets about 18 inches tall and the flowers are 2 to 2 ½ inches wide, which makes them great for cutting.
Perfect for a hanging basket or as a summer groundcover
Grow Sweetheart Kisses verbena in a pot, hanging basket or as a summer ground cover. Photo courtesy All-America Selections
Sweetheart Kisses verbena (V. tenuisecta)
This verbena has a mix of red and rose flowers specked with pink and white. Full sun is best for this pollinator attracting plant that withstands hot dry conditions. A mound grower, Sweetheart Kisses will get 10 to 16 inches tall. One judge described the plant as nicely branched and another said the flower color variation was stunning. Consider this a summer groundcover or plant in a container or hanging basket.
Where can you buy AAS plants or seeds?
Some of these plants will be available at garden centers this spring and summer. Seeds for some of these plants are available at on-line seed merchants. The AAS website has details.
Questions about your landscape?
Please contact Holeman’s landscape professionals.