Reminiscing on Past AAS Winners

All-America Selections (AAS) is an independent non-profit trialing organization established in 1932 and still going strong 92 years later! AAS trial sites and display gardens are spread across the US and Canada, including nine gardens in Iowa. Reiman Gardens is proud to be both a trial site for multiple categories and a display garden highlighting recent winners. Check out the AAS website for trial and display sites, winners, blogs, and so much more! 

For November, I thought it might be fun to look WAY BACK at some AAS Winners from decades past. Maybe you haven't grown these in a while, maybe you grow them every year and didn't know they were winners. Many of these winners have interesting back stories that might send you on the hunt for even more knowledge. Either way, these winners would all be great additions to your garden planning for 2025 and beyond.

Zinnia elegans 'Thumbelina': 'Thumbelina' was an AAS Flower winner in 1963 and work is still being done with this dwarf zinnia today. 'Thumbelina' is advertised as being a fully double to semi-double bloomer growing between 10-16" tall. However, the seed company and breeder of 'Thumbelina' has been defunct for over 14 years and winning traits of this zinnia started to vary depending on source. Recently, Applewood Seed Company worked through their Variety Improvement Program to bring more uniform and appropriate height, consistent flower type, and color balance back to the variety. They continue to select for height to ensure that 'Thumbelina' will win you over year after year. 

Petunia hybrida 'Wave® Purple Classic': The mother of spreading petunias, 'Wave® Purple Classic' started off a series of AAS Winners in 1995 that now includes multiple colors and several entries from the Tidal Wave® series (which features more upright plants with larger blooms). 'Wave® Purple Classic' grows up to 6" tall but spreads 24-48", perfect for bedding areas and larger containers. Wave® petunias will be celebrating 30 years in 2025, so be on the lookout for National Wave Day and celebrate by growing 'Wave® Purple Classic' in your yard.

Solanum melongena 'Hansel' and 'Gretel': Winners in 2008 and 2009, these two little eggplants are small and tender with few seeds, improving both texture and taste. Both 'Hansel' and 'Gretel' are compact plants that can easily be grown in containers or garden beds. The more you harvest from these plants, the more fruit set you will have. Plus, with harvestable fruits starting at 3", you will be able to start eating eggplant just 55 days after planting!

Solanum melongena 'Gretel.'
Solanum melongena 'Gretel.'
Solanum melongena 'Hansel.'
Solanum melongena 'Hansel.' Photo by AAS.
Petunia hybrida 'Wave Purple Classic.'
Petunia hybrida 'Wave Purple Classic.' Photo by AAS.
Zinnia elegans 'Thumbelina.'
Zinnia elegans 'Thumbelina.' Photo by AAS.

Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Yard and Garden, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on November 11, 2024. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.