New Varieties For 2004

New Varieties For 2004

Gardeners are looking for new plants every year. Here are new flowers and vegetables that will be featured in 2004 mail order seed catalogs, seed packets or as bedding plants at garden centers. The varieties are listed alphabetically by class, with the seed source listed in parentheses after the description. The designation "R" means a retail seed company from which gardeners may purchase seed directly by mail order or also in stores that carry the variety in seed packets. A "W" designation indicates a wholesale seed company which does not sell directly to home gardeners, but these varieties should be available in catalogs or as bedding plants at garden centers next spring. New this year – we have included the genus and species for each new variety.

 

A  logo indicates the variety is a 2004 AAS Award Winner.
Award types: F=Flower, BP=Bedding Plant, V=Vegetable

FLOWERS

Alyssum 'Wonderland® Citron' * Lobularia maritime
Very fragrant pastel yellow flowers on uniform plants 4 inches tall with 6-inch spread are cold and rain tolerant. Full sun annual ideal for rock gardens, borders, containers, and hanging baskets. (Bodger Seeds) W

Aster 'Chinese Mixed' * Callistephus chinensis
Single, double, and pincushion mum flower forms in an extraordinary range of colors and sizes. The 12- to 26-inch tall plants have pink, purple, white, red and bicolor 1- to 2-inch blooms. (Lake Valley Seed Co.) R

Basil 'Oriental Breeze' * Ocimum basilicum
A basil bred for cut flower and container usage. Very floriferous 12- to 18-inch tall upright plants. Very fragrant 4- to 6-inch long flower heads are white with purple bracts. Full sun to part sun annual. (Kieft Seeds Holland) W

Begonia F₁ 'Bayou Pink' * Begonia semperflorens
Big is better! Larger and taller 14- to 16-inch upright begonia with vigorous habit quickly fills in sunny garden beds, crowding out weeds. Non-stop color from spring to frost in containers and mass plantings. (Goldsmith) W

Begonia 'Go-Go Appleblossom' * Begonia tuberosa
Created for long-lasting garden performance. Large double blooms on sturdy 10- to 12-inch plants will easily stand out among the shadows of a shady garden bed or container. Series includes 7 bold, bright colors. (Goldsmith) W

Begonia F₁ 'Prelude Mix' * Begonia semperflorens
Compact and exceptionally uniform 6- to 8-inch plants hold masses of .75- to 1-inch white, pink, rose, coral, scarlet and bicolor blooms above green foliage. Tremendous outdoor performer in mass planting or container. (Ball Seed Co.) W

Calendula 'Pink Surprise' * Calendula officinalis
Frilly double orange/apricot 3-inch flowers are tinged with pink. A cottage garden flower, used as an herb, its flowers are edible. Fill flower arrangements, containers, and gardens with these 18- to 24-inch tall plants. (Lake Valley Seed Co.) R

Carex 'Frosted Curls' * Carex comans
(New Zealand Hair Sedge) Hardy evergreen grass-like plant ideal for containers and landscaping. Rounded tussocks of soft gray foliage, each leaf having a distinctive curling twist at its tip. Clump matures at 8 to 12 inches in diameter. (K. Sahin) W

Celosia 'Fresh Look Red' * (F) Celosia plumosa
Awarded the AAS Gold Medal for outstanding garden performance and length of blooming season. The distinctive long-lived 8- to 10-inch tall rosy red flower plumes and bright green leaves make this winner a garden standout. (Benary) W

Celosia 'Fresh Look Yellow' (F) * Celosia plumosa
Abundance of feathery yellow plumes offer season-long garden color on vigorous 14-inch plants. The numerous side shoots and the 9-inch tall central plume can be dried as everlastings. Plants exhibit heat, humidity and severe weather tolerance. (Benary) W

Celosia 'Spiky Pink' * Celosia spicata
Clusters of wheat-like flower spikes 3 inches long are hot pink with red stems. Plants are 15 to 18 inches tall. Heat tolerant full sun annual for containers, landscaping in hot areas and in dried arrangements. (Kieft Seeds Holland) W

Delphinium 'Guardian' * Delphinium elatum
Very uniform blooming. This stately 24- to 36-inch tall perennial (zones 4 to 7) has thinner, stronger stems perfect for home garden cutflowers. Series includes Blue, Early Blue, Lavender and White. (PanAmerican Seed) W

Dianthus 'Amazon Rose Magic' * Dianthus barbatus interspecific
Dark green, glossy foliage and vibrant blooms that start white, age to pink, rose, then to deep rose offer a stunning visual impact. Excellent late-season performer 18 to 24 inches tall. (PanAmerican Seed) W

Dianthus F₁ 'Chiba Auricula Mix' * Dianthus chinensis x barbatus
Extra early flowering 1.25-inch blooms in a mix of purple and rose picotee shades. Compact, 8- to 10-inch tall very basal branching plant for container or mass planting. Heat, cold and rain tolerant. (Hem Zaden BV) W

Dianthus F₁ 'Diana Red Centered White' * Dianthus chinensis
Vigorous low growing 8- to 10-inch plant with unique compact and branching habit. Large 2- to 2.5-inch attractive blooms. Full to part sun garden and container. Series offered in 9 additional colors. (Hem Zaden BV) W

Dianthus F₁ 'Dynasty' * Dianthus barbatus interspecific
Unique double-flowered blooms look like mini-carnations. Lightly scented 1- to 1.25-inch purple, red, or white blush blooms on upright 16- to 20-inch perennial plants (to zone 6) make great backyard cut flowers. (Ball Seed Co.) W

Gaillardia 'Yellow Flame' * Gaillardia pulchella aureus
Solid yellow 2-inch blooms. Heat and drought tolerant 30-inch tall plants spread 24 inches. This annual is perfect for cut flowers, containers and full sun garden. (Environmental Seed Producers) W

Gypsophila 'Gypsy Deep Rose' * (BP) Gypsophila muralis
Dainty double and semi-double blooms cover the 8- to 10-inch diminutive mounded plant with deep rosy color. Easily grown annual from seed, prefers full sun and needs little maintenance. (Daehnfeldt) W

Hibiscus 'Luna Red' * Hibiscus moschuetos
Very dramatic and impressive. Many eye-catching 7- to 8-inch showy blooms on big, bushy, well-branched 2- to 3-foot tall plants. Perennial in zones 5-9.Heat, cold and drought tolerant. Full sun container or garden. (Ball Seed Co.) W

Hollyhock 'Queeny Purple' * (F) Alcea rosea
First dwarf purple hollyhock that flowers prolifically the first year from seed. Frilly edged 3- to 4-inch "powder puff" blooms are abundant on compact branching plants with mature height of just 20 to 30 inches. (Hem Zaden BV) W

Lavatera 'Novella Rose' * Lavatera trimestris
Compact, early to flower, well branched 23-inch tall plants provide great spring and early summer performance with lovely 3- to 4-inch rose colored blooms for your sunny garden, mass planting or container. (Floranova Ltd.) W

Lavender 'Sancho Panza' * Lavandula stoechas
Dark purple 1-inch flower spikes appear in early spring and summer on dense rounded bushes of very aromatic grayish foliage. Plants reach 12 to 18 inches after a year's growth. Ideal for warm, well-drained conditions. (K. Sahin) W

Lobelia 'Aqua White' * Lobelia erinus compacta
White joins the four 'Aqua' series colors. Blooms two weeks earlier than standard lobelia varieties. Excellent in pots and baskets, and makes an outstanding 4- to 6-inch tall, 8- to 12-inch wide garden border in a part-sun location. (American Takii) W

Marigold 'Disco™ Red' * Tagetes patula
This free flowering French marigold is a full sun annual with single-flowered bright red 1.5-inch yellow centered blooms. Upright 16-inch tall plant with 12-inch spread is perfect for container, garden and mass planting. (Bodger Seeds) W

Marigold 'Marvelous Orange' * Tagetes patula
The largest flowered French crested marigold on the market. Fully crested blooms often measure up to 3 inches in diameter. The 12-inch tall plants flower early with a nice mounded habit. Series also includes 'Yellow' and 'Flame.' (Sakata) W

Mimulus 'Magic Yellow Flame' * Mimulus hybridus
Striking and unique flower color - looks like an orchid. Yellow 1.5-inch bloom is covered with small red spots. Ten inches tall and mounded compact habit is perfect for container, basket or garden. 'Magic' series offers 14 colors. (Floranova Ltd.) W

Morning Glory 'Split Personality' Ipomoea purpurea
Star-shaped magenta-pink 2-inch flowers are delicately split. Excellent vine will cover fences and trellises, grow as a ground cover, or hang in baskets. Full sun 7-foot annual vine blooms summer to fall frost. (Botanical Interests, Inc.) R

Nicotiana 'Tinkerbell' * Nicotiana x hybrida
Unique nicotiana hybrid, 35 inches tall and stately with a mass of .75-inch rose colored flowers. Very unusual architectural plant has very good disease and weather tolerance. Thrives in a full sun, part sun or shade garden. (Floranova Ltd.) W

Pansy 'Atlas™ Raspberry Mix' * Viola x wittrockiana
A mixture of large rose, pink and white 3- to 4-inch blooms on compact 6-inch tall plants. This extremely early flowering full sun annual is heat, cold, frost and wind tolerant. Stunning container or mass planting. (Bodger Seeds) W

Pansy F₁ 'Fama® Peach Shades' * Viola x wittrockiana
Tough pansy bred for weather extremes of heat and bitter cold. Unique pastel shades ranging from rosy pink to apricot to porcelain on 3- to 3.5-inch blooms. Full to part-sun biennial is 4 to 6 inches tall. Series offers 20 colors. (Benary) W

Pansy 'Majestic Giants II Marina Shades' * Viola x wittrockiana
An exciting new color addition to the series. Blooms early with extra large 3.5-inch flowers and a nice compact habit. Free flowering from fall through spring. A beautiful full sun annual for container and garden. (Sakata) W

Petunia 'Easy Wave Salmon' * Petunia x hybrida
Fast-blooming plants flower freely all season creating a solid 8-to 10-inch tall mass of salmon-pink 2.25-inch blooms. Will spread 2.5 feet in a full sun container, basket or garden. 'Easy Wave' series is available in 5 colors. (PanAmerican Seed) W

Petunia 'Hurrah Lavender Tie Dye' * Petunia x hybrida
Unique color combination with instant appeal. Multicolored 2.5- to 3-inch dark lavender-purple flowers mature to silvery blue. Early flowering compact 12-inch plants resist stretching in your basket or garden. (S&G Flowers) W

Petunia F₁ 'Limbo Violet' * (BP) Petunia x hybrida
Large dark violet 3-inch blooms on a compact plant 6 to 7 inches tall. Huge blooms recover quickly from severe weather. No deadheading needed for this maintenance free plant. (Hem Genetics) W

Petunia F₁ 'Symphony Light Blue' * Petunia x hybrida
Compact and free flowering with excellent after-rain recovery. Large 2.5- to 3-inch blooms on 12- to 15-inch tall plants spreading 18 to 20 inches. 'Light Blue' is the 13th multiflora petunia in the series. (American Takii) W

Portulaca F₁ 'Sunseeker Red' * Portulaca grandiflora
Fully double red petaled 2-inch flowers stay open longer into the evening. Grow this heat tolerant annual in your full sun container or garden. Series also includes Orange, Pink, Yellow, Cream, White, and Mix. (Sakata) W

Rudbeckia 'Moreno' * Rudbeckia hirta
Large 5- to 6-inch wide bicolored blooms are mahogany red with orange to gold petal tips. Compact, upright 12- to 15-inch tall plants. Full to part sun annual for mass planting, container or garden. (Kieft Seeds Holland) W

Rudbeckia 'Toto® Mix' * Rudbeckia hirta
A balanced mix of 'Toto Gold,' 'Toto Lemon' and 'Toto Rustic.' These compact, well-branched, 12- to 15-inch tall early flowering plants with 2- to 3-inch rounded flowers put on a stunning show of summer color. (Benary) W

Salvia 'Reddy' * Salvia splendens
Dwarf non-stretching bright red salvia stays compact in the garden and produces a large number of bright red spikes over dark green foliage. Heat and wind tolerant full to part sun annual. (Hem Zaden BV) W

Solanum 'Five Minute Plant' * Solanum atropurpurum
Unusual purple-black stems and greenish-purple leaves are covered with long, purple thorns. Small yellow flowers followed by green and white clustered berries contrast dramatically with the dark 4-foot tall plant. (Underwood) R

Sunflower 'Pacino® Cola' * Helianthus annuus
Perfect for pots, uniquely contrasting golden yellow petals and dark eyed 4- to 5-inch blooms on small smooth leafed plants with final height of just 12 to 16 inches tall. Heat and drought tolerant full sun to shade annual. (Benary) W

Sweet Pea 'Cupid Color Palette' * Lathyrus odoratus
Diminutive vines grow just 8 to 10 inches long, then the large sweetly scented flowers bloom on softly cascading branches. Great for containers, enjoy rose, white, pink, lavender and deep purple blossoms. (Renee's Garden) R

Thunbergia 'Spanish Eyes' Thunbergia alata
Vigorous annual vine with a unique range of warm sunset-colored dark-eyed flowers. Great as a ground cover, screen or hanging basket. In full sun the trailing vine reaches 5 to10 feet. (Botanical Interests, Inc.) R

Thyme 'Orange Scented' Thymus fragrantissimus
Unique among seed grown varieties because of its sweet, citrus flavor. Grows to 12 inches in full sun in well-drained soil. Excellent in containers or as a short garden hedge. Perennial hardy to zone 5. (Johnny's Selected Seeds) R

Vinca 'SunStorm Pink' * Catharanthus roseus
Super well-branched and covered with 1.75-inch dark pink flowers. Heat tolerant full sun annual with 8-inch height and spread is perfect for container, garden or mass planting. Series offers 9 colors. (S&G Flowers) W

Viola F₁ 'Carpet Gold Eye Cream' * Viola x williamsiana
A soft cream color with bright yellow eye joins 10 colors and 2 mixes in the 'Carpet' series. Numerous 1-inch flowers born on short flowering stems create a carpet of color in the garden. This bright variety stands out even in the dark.(K. Sahin) W

Viola F₁ 'Gem Apricot Antique' * Viola x wittrockiana
Three new 'Antique' colors add novelty colorations to the 'Gem' series. Outstanding over-wintering ability and heat tolerance, blooming freely for prolonged periods of time. One-inch blooms on 6- to 7-inch plants. (American Takii) W

Viola 'Patiola Violet with Yellow Face' * Viola x hybrida
A super-sized viola with extra-large 2-inch flowers. With a dense, compact, well-branched habit, this very free-flowering 6-inch tall biennial over-winters easily. 'Patiola' is offered in 4 additional colors. (S&G Flowers) W

Zinnia 'Peppermint Stick' Zinnia elegans
Flowers as tantalizing as the namesake candy! Dramatic 3- to 5-inch striped and blotched scarlet, carmine, vermillion, orange and rosy-purple on cream and dark-yellow blooms. 2- to 3-foot plants make great cut flowers. (Botanical Interests, Inc.) R

Zinnia 'Swizzle Scarlet & Yellow Bicolor' * Zinnia elegans
Large flowers, double flowers, loads of flowers! A multitude of stunning bicolored blooms are held closely to full bushy upright 10- to 12-inch plants. A sure winner in your sunny garden or container. Also in Cherry & Ivory Bicolor. (Goldsmith) W

VEGETABLES

Bean, Bush 'Ambra' * Phaseolus vulgaris
Consistently high yields even under stress conditions. Gourmet eating quality, full bean flavor. Disease tolerant upright plant produces long 6-inch straight, smooth stringless green beans in 52 days from sowing seed. (Harris Seeds) R

Carrot 'Round Romeo' * Daucus carota sativus
Delightful ball-shaped beauties are tasty morsels with smooth-skinned flesh that hardly need peeling. Harvest delicious little gourmet carrots 60 days from sowing. Fast, easy and widely adapted to perform well in home gardens. (Renee's Garden) R

Cucumber 'Stonewall' * Cucumis sativus
Full cucumber flavor. High yields of very uniform fruit. High disease resistance to many diseases including Scab, Angular Leaf Spot, Down & Powdery Mildew and Anthracnose. Harvest 8-inch long cucumbers 53 days from sowing. (Harris Seeds) R

Fennel 'Perfection' Foeniculum vulgare
Superb, uniform and tender large bulbs are reminiscent of a celery heart with a hint of anise. The large white stems overlap at the base and elongate to form 2.5-foot feathery fronds. Harvest in 70 days. (Nichols Garden Nursery) R

Lettuce, Romaine 'Hulk' * Lactuca sativa
An adaptable variety with strong heat and tip burn tolerance and a long harvest period. The tall, heavy, bright green heads offer great taste. Harvest early at 28 days or at full size in 57 days. (Johnny's Selected Seeds) R

Lettuce, Leaf 'Ruby Ruffles' * Lactuca sativa
Vivid red color on frilly-edged leaves. Crisp and flavorful. Slow to bolt, holds in the garden once mature. Harvest in 50 days. Disease tolerance to Downy Mildew and Lettuce Mosaic Virus. (Harris Seeds) R

Melon F₁ 'Amy' * (V) Cucumis melo
An improved canary type melon. Early and high yielding bright golden yellow melon with smooth skin. White flesh has sweet flavor and firm texture. Harvest 2-3 pound melons 70-80 days from transplanting. (Known-You) W

Melothria 'Cuca-melon' * Melothria scabra
Tiny 1-inch x .5-inch light green fruits on 15-foot vines look like watermelons for a dollhouse. White flesh is crunchy and tastes like a cucumber with a hint of melon. Harvest in 80 days for snacking, salads and pickles. (Underwood) R

Orach 'Triple Purple' Atriplex hortensis
Used as a spinach substitute for salads and cooking, it's strikingly beautiful. The 5-foot tall dark purple-red foliage is at home in the ornamental border as in the salad garden. Begin to harvest in 40 days. (Nichols Garden Nursery) R

Pepper 'Red Knight X3R' * Capsicum annuum
Presenting a rare combination of big, heavy, blocky shaped bell peppers with exceptionally sweet flavor (when red), early 65-day maturity and uncommon disease resistance. Fruits measure 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches. (Seminis) W

Potato, True Seed F₁ 'Zolushka' Solanum tuberosum
40-50 days after transplanting, start harvesting baby potatoes. Good yield of round-oval medium to large uniformly shaped tubers with shallow eyes, smooth white skin, and creamy white flesh. (Nichols Garden Nursery) R

Spinach 'Summer Perfection' * Spinacia oleracea
Bred for sweet flavor and a long harvest period. This new Dutch variety stands up well to early summer heat. Bright green leaves have a succulent crunchy texture that's perfect steamed, sautéed or fresh. 40 days. (Renee's Garden) R

Squash, Scallop 'Sunny Delight' * Cucurbita pepo
The "cat's meow" of scallop squashes. Fruits are bright and beautiful, flat disk shaped, early maturing and delicious. Very high yielding semi-bush plants. Ideal "baby vegetable" or harvest in 40 days at a 3-inch diameter. (Seminis) W

Squash, Winter 'Kabocha' * Cucurbita maxima
A Japanese favorite, relatively new to the USA. Flesh is deep yellow, dry and nutty with sweetness between a sweet potato and a pumpkin. Harvest round green 2-3 pound fruit 95 days from sowing seed. (Lake Valley Seed Co.) R

Squash, Winter F₁ 'Sunshine' * (V) Cucurbita maxima
The 3-4 pound flattened globe shape squash has vibrant orange-red skin and bright orange, sweet, nutty creamy smooth flesh. Harvest 95 to 100 days from sowing and prior to fall frost. (Johnny's Selected Seeds) R

Tomato F₁ 'Glory' * Lycopersicon esculentum
A cross of two wonderful old heirlooms produces this more vigorous, better setting, marvelously sweet flavored hybrid with soft juicy texture. Harvest utterly delicious red 11-ounce fruits in 75 days from tall indeterminate plants. (Seminis) W

Tomato 'Mong' * Lycopersicon esculentum
Seeds saved from 90 year-old Mr. Mong produce sturdy indeterminate plants full of enormous 2- to 3-pound fruits. These meaty, true-red fruits have small seed cavities and a mellow, sweet, fruity flavor. Harvest in 90 days. (Underwood) R

Tomato 'Orange Blossom' Lycopersicon esculentum
Attractive large globe shaped 6- to 8-ounce orange fruits are born on determinate plants that do not require staking. Their mild flavor is balanced with slight acidity and nice texture. Fruits mature in about 60 days. (Johnny's Selected Seeds) R

Watermelon F₁ 'Sweet Beauty' * (V) Citrullus lanatus
Superior eating quality. Sweet flavored, crisp textured oblong 5-to 7-pound "ice box" type melon with dark green skin and medium green stripes. Improved for earliness, harvest in 77-80 days from sowing seed directly into the garden. (Known-You) W