The trialing season is complete and the final tally of awards and highlights for Proven Winners plants across North America is in. "We are very thankful for the help and evaluations at each trial site. Each location learns what plants do well in their trial gardens, while we discover which areas of the country and time of the year our plants are at their best", the breeder comments.
Here are the top 10 performers of the 2019 varieties trialed. Together, these 10 plants garnered over 300 accolades for excellent performance, perfect scores, and trial site honors such as ‘best of’ awards. "We expect new varieties to get a lot of attention their first year in trials, but we are especially honored to see that Supertunia Vista Bubblegum is still in the top 10 after 14 years on the market!"
#10 Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Kiwi ties with Rockin' Fuchsia
Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Kiwi was a consumer favorite at the University of Tennessee – Jackson, Gold Medal winner at the Champaign County Illinois Master Gardener Idea Garden, and ‘Top Ten Awards’ at four southeastern universities.
Rockin' Fuchsia was highlighted for pollinator appeal, color and vigor. Rockin’ Fuchsia received perfect scores at Mounts Botanic Garden and Oklahoma State University Botanical Gardens and a Top 10 or higher at University of Minnesota – Morris, North Carolina State, JC Raulston Arboretum, Central Florida Industry trials, and Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank.
#9 A three-way tie between Amazel Basil, ColorBlaze Rediculous, and ColorBlaze Chocolate Drop
Amazel Basil –The University of Georgia awarded it ‘Plant of Distinction’, Mississippi State University - Crystal Springs, rated it in their ‘Top 5’ of all edible plants trialed and North Carolina State put it in their ‘Top 10’ and ‘Leader of the Pack – All Season’ categories. University of Tennessee – Jackson awarded it ‘Best of Show’ for seasonal performance, University of Georgia awarded it their ‘Best of the Best’. Champaign County Illiniois Master Gardener Idea Garden awarded it their Gold Medal for performance and flavor and Boerner Botanical Garden selected it as their ‘Best Performance Overall for Annuals’.
ColorBlaze Rediculous had perfect all season scores at Oklahoma State University, Michigan State University and University of Minnesota – Morris. It won a Gold Medal Award at Champaign County Illinois Master Gardener Idea Garden and Consumer Choice awards at both Cornell University and Ohio State University – Columbus.
ColorBlaze Chocolate Drop received a perfect score for the entire growing season at Oklahoma State University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University – Columbus, Longwood Gardens, and Mississippi State University – Poplarville.
#8 Supertunia Vista Bubblegum tied with Luscious Citrus Blend
Next year Supertunia Vista Bubblegum will be 15 years old, and it is still reaping awards like a newcomer. Top performer status at every trial we sent it to, and University of Georgia awarded it ‘Plant of Distinction’ while North Carolina State University chose it as ‘All Season Leader of the Pack’ and Colorado State awarded it ‘Best Petunia-Spreading’. It also won Consumer Choice awards at both Texas A&M - East Texas Bedding Plant Trial and Ohio State University – Columbus. Topping off the list are perfect season scores at five trials across the central and northern U.S.
Luscious Citrus Blend had perfect season scores at Oklahoma State University, University of Tennessee – Jackson, and Longwood Gardens. It was given 2018 Top 10 status at 3 East Coast trial sites. It was the consumer choice at the Texas A&M trial and Dallas Arboretum gave it ‘Best Performance Overall’ for their annual trials.
#7 Hippo Pink
The series of landscape ready Polka Dot plants were a big hit in trials, especially across the south where shade gardening can be tough. It also performed well in full sun at most trial sites. Hippo Pink received the ‘Plant of Distinction Award’ at University of Georgia, and ‘Leader of the Pack’ – all season at North Carolina State. It received a perfect score all season at both Jardin Botanique Montreal and Mounts Botanic Garden, as well as receiving the consumer’s choice award at Ohio State University – Columbus.
#6 Rockin' Deep Purple
This was a transcontinental favorite with pollinator attraction noted at the University of Georgia and Smith Gardens. All season perfect scores were earned at Mounts Botanic Garden (FL), Oklahoma State University, University of Minnesota – Morris and Longwood Gardens. Warm or cold climate, the performance and strength of this plant was highlighted.
#5 ColorBlaze Cherry Brandy
Across the continent Cherry Brandy received top performer status, with perfect all season scores at Jardin Botanique Montreal, Mississippi State University - Crystal Springs, North Carolina State, Champaign County Illinois Master Gardener Idea Garden, and Mississippi State University – Poplarville.
#4 Diamond Mountain Euphorbia
Diamond Mountain earned top performer awards in all regions of the country, perfect scores for the entire season were awarded at Mounts Botanic Garden (FL), the Raker trials, Oregon State University, Ohio State University – Columbus, and the University of Minnesota. It also received ‘The Zoo’s Best’ award at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. It made the top 10 best annuals at both Mississippi State – Crystal Springs, and North Carolina State University.
#2 ColorBlaze Golden Dreams & #3 ColorBlaze Torchlight
Golden Dreams edged out Torchlight for second place by one award. Both were top performers all across the continent with a slight preference for the warmer regions of the U.S. They won Top 10, Best of the Best Gold Medal, and Consumer’s Choice awards from Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi and Illinois. With awards from Canada southwards, they were noted at nearly every trial for their foliage texture, pattern, color and late to no-flowering in comments from trial managers.
#1 Truffula Pink Gomphrena
This was the top award winner for the 2018 trials across the continent from Canada to South Florida. From North Carolina across to Texas and Colorado, everywhere it was trialed it was a top performer or a highlighted variety. Perfect scores for the season were given in South Florida, the University of Tennessee-Jackson and Mississippi State Poplarville. This plant also impressed in northern regions where it was name a Top 10, Best of the Best. It was also selected as an outstanding variety in Canada, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Colorado.
Colorado State University: “Abundant and long-lasting pink flowers covered this plant all season. Well branched, mounded plants were very uniform and were considered "well behaved" even with the vigorous growth. This low maintenance plant does not require deadheading and can tolerate some dry conditions.”
Dallas Arboretum: “Truffula Pink looks great even in 100-degree heat and above. This Gomphrena can be compared to that of "Fireworks' but is much more compact and not as wild-looking.”
For more information:
Proven Winners
111 E Elm St Ste D
Sycamore, IL 60178
www.provenwinners.com