All America Selections - 1998

All-America Selections (AAS) tests and introduces significantly improved new flowers and vegetables grown from seed. The AAS logo on vegetable and flower seed packets, plant tags or in catalogs is a promise of gardening success. For the past 65 years, AAS has taken the guesswork out of finding flower and vegetable varieties that will be reliable, vigorous, productive and superior in gardens.

All-America Selections has tested these new varieties in trials across North America. These two AAS Winners have proven their superior performance and are new cultivars, distinct from others currently on the market. Look for these two 1998 AAS Winners in seed packets at retail stores, in mail order catalogs or as bedding plants in garden centers.

Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'
The wide color range of 'Bright Lights' is the most distinctive feature. Petioles or stems can be yellow, gold, orange, pink, crimson, lavender or purple. There may be intermediate pastels or shades of the primary colors. The stem color is evident when a plant is quite small—only 3 to 5 weeks old. The early stem color is perfect for ornamental plants, selecting and transplanting the most desirable colors for display.

Easy to grow from transplants or seed, 'Bright Lights' does not have special soil or fertility requirements, but growth is more rapid with higher fertility. Widely adapted to North America, 'Bright Lights' can be grown as a spring or fall crop. Multiple harvests can be made from one crop, just harvest leaves above the soil for regrowth. Gardeners can purchase seed from mail order catalogs or seed packet displays this spring. Sow seed on prepared garden soil when soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees F. 'Bright Lights' plants are so attractive gardeners may find it difficult to remove them from the garden.

AAS Winner Data

Genus species: Beta vulgaris
Common Name: Swiss chard
Mature Plant Height: 20 inches
Width: 18 inches
Space Plants: 18 inches apart
Rows: 18 to 24 inches apart
Number of weeks to Harvest: 4-5 weeks - young salad 7-10 weeks - mature size
Adaptability: Adapted to growing between 50 degrees F & 100 degrees F
Closest comparisons on Market: Rhubarb Chard and Fordhook Giant other "Rainbow" Types on Market
Unique qualities: Widest color range of Swiss Chard, stems retain color when microwaved for 1 to 2 minutes.

Lemon Basil 'Sweet Dani'
'Sweet Dani' is an attractive plant desirable for any herb garden. Noticed for the strong lemon scent, 'Sweet Dani' plants grow upright with a branching habit and uniform shape. The light green leaves can be harvested in about 60 to 90 days from sowing seed. Another improved quality is the increased leaf production. 'Sweet Dani' plants can be cut back several times with excellent regrowth. To continue leaf production, delay flowering by pinching or cutting off inflorescences as they develop. The white flower spikes add interest to the plant and can be expected to grow 12 to 14 inches in length.

'Sweet Dani' can be grown from seed by new gardeners. All basil plants want warm growing conditions so seed should be sown indoors in northern locations. Wait until the soil has warmed before planting 'Sweet Dani' in the soil. Plants are well suited for growing in containers which may provide warmer growing conditions than garden soil. 'Sweet Dani' will be available as seed or young plants in 1998.

AAS Winner Data

Genus Species: Ocimum basilicum
Common Name: Lemon Basil
Mature Plant Height: 26 inches
Width: 24-26 inches
Spacing: 18-24 inches apart
Number of days from transplant to harvest leaves: 20-30 days
Use: Aromatic herb desirable for culinary uses.
Closest comparisons on Market: Common Lemon Basil
Unique Qualities: Strong lemon scent when leaves are crushed, increased herb yield.

Spring 1998
University of Illinois Booksale | Zoysiagrass! Can You Believe the Ads? | Crabgrass Control | Choosing Home Lawn Care Services | Selecting a Tree Service or Arborist | All America Selections 1998 | All Tomato Varieties Certainly Not the Same | Some Noteworthy Perennial Combinations | Bug Bites | Lawn Care Calendar | Cybergarden Sites | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Healthy Eating: Butter vs. Margarine | Health Update: Vitamin & Mineral Supplements | Food Safety: Eggs | Health & Household Update | Did You Know?

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