AAS annually tests and then introduces new flower and vegetable varieties that have done well in trials across North America.

Profusion White zinnia emerged from ASS’s most recent testing as an Gold Medal Winner. That medal is awarded only once or twice a decade. It goes to plants that represent a breeding breakthrough, Upham said.

"For one thing, it’s the only white zinnia with 2.5-inch, single, daisy-like flowers and proven disease resistance," he explained. "Most zinnias deteriorate in late summer and fall, due to powdery mildew. But Profusion White blossoms profusely from early spring through fall."

Profusion White requires full sun and plants spaced 12 to 24 inches apart.

Ring of Fire sunflower earned an AAS Flower Award.

"It has unique coloration. Each tip is gold, as you’d expect in a sunflower. But the base is mahogany, making the flower look as if it has a ring of red around its chocolate-brown center," Upham said. "We often depend on sunflowers’ late-season display, to spruce up a tired-looking garden. Ring of Fire certainly can help with that, but its numerous long-stemmed flowers also are ideal for cutting."

Ring of Fire needs a fair-sized plot, time and full sun. The 4- to 5-feet tall plants bloom in about 120 days.

This year’s All-America Selection also included three bedding plants:

1. Margarita Rosita portulaca (rose moss) has a unique compact, rounded habit when young.

"The shape reminds you of rock garden plants," the horticulturist said. "But the plant matures as 12 to 14 inches across and 3 to 4 inches high. It will have numerous, semi-double, rose-colored flowers that are 1.5 inches across."

Margarita Rosita is both drought- and heat-tolerant. With minimal care and a sunny garden spot, it will bloom for months.

2. Forever Blue eustoma is a hybrid that produces the blue color prized by many gardeners. The single, blue 2.5-inch flowers cover the dense 12-inch tall plants.

"The compact size and extensive flowering are the result of a distinct branching habit that’s so different from other eustoma’s that the trait has been submitted for a utility patent," Upham noted.

The heat- and drought-tolerant Forever Blue plants like full sun. Deadheading or removing their dead flowers will spur more return blooms.

3. Avalon Bright Pink nicotiana is an improved dwarf of the popular flowering tobacco plant. It reaches a mature height and spread of about 10 inches. It also produces lots of bright, pastel-pink star-shaped blooms throughout the growing season.

"This is a minimal maintenance plant. It doesn’t require deadheading. It’s easy to grow and heat tolerant. Avalon Bright Pink may attract hummingbirds and butterflies, but it won’t attract pests," the horticulturist said.

Upham, who maintains K-State Research and Extension’s horticultural Web site, has posted color photos of the AAS award winners at www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn/horticul.htm (click to scan the article titles in the 2001 Horticulture Newsletter).