Doug’s favorite All America Selections of all time

Let me preface this list with you can’t go wrong with an All America Selections winner. These are just a few that I’ve fallen for.

Tithonia or Mexican Sunflower is the AAS winner from 1951. It’s a pollinator magnet.

Tithonia ‘Torch.’ (1951) — This Mexican sunflower is a pollinator magnet that reaches anywhere from five to 16 feet tall and is filled with three-inch, deep orange flowers. It’s easy to grow from seed and will last past frost. Couldn’t imagine a garden without it. In all these years, nothing has challenged this winner.

‘Super Chili’ peppers are AAS winners from 1988. They are great for drying and turning into hot pepper flakes.

Hot pepper ‘Super Chile.’ (1988) — This variety will put on tons of hot peppers under some of the worst conditions. It can grow just about anywhere. They are very hot, and I like to make hot pepper flakes out of them. Last year, four plants gave me enough peppers that even after dehydrating them I was giving away those flakes to friends.

Tomato ‘Husky Gold.’ (1993) — I first saw it growing at Janoski’s Farm and Greenhouse. It’s tough, reliable and tasty. What else can you ask from a tomato?

‘Juliet’ tomato (1999) — I’ve always loved this one, but since Blazek alerted me to ‘Jasper,’ I guess I’ll have to have my own little trial.

Cucumber ‘Diva’ (2002) — A quick grower, prolific, resistant to cucumber beetles, doesn’t need pollination, seedless and has sweet tender fruit. It’s a real winner in my garden.

Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ (2013) — I first saw this blooming in the AAS display garden in Schenley Plaza, right across from the Cathedral of Learning. Coneflowers are tough and beautiful sun lovers, and this one has stunning red, orange and yellow blooms.

Impatiens Bounce Pink Flame PPAF ‘Balboufink’ (2015) — This is the first impatiens I’ve ever grown that was bred for resistance to impatiens downy mildew.

SunPatiens ‘Spreading Shell Pink’ (2015) — They take more sun, but are pretty happy in the shade and don’t get downy impatiens mildew. It’s an indestructible plant and great for containers. I love to grow them in consort with caladiums.

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.