All-America Selections introduces six AAS winners for the 2016 season

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – Jan. 30, 2016 – Six new, never-before-sold varieties join the ranks of the All-America Selections Winner badge of honor. All of the following new varieties were trialed during the 2015 growing season and exhibited outstanding garden performance as noted in each of the following descriptions. These AAS Winners will be available in limited supply for the 2016 gardening season but will be readily available for 2017.

This grouping of AAS Winners for 2016 includes:

• Ornamental Pepper Black Hawk F1 (Regional: Southeast and Heartland)
• Cabbage Katarina F1 (National)
• Kale Prizm F1 (National)
• Kohlrabi Konan F1 (National
• Pepper Flaming Jade F1 (Regional Heartland and Great Lakes)
• Pumpkin Pepitas F1 (National)

With this announcement, these varieties become available for immediate sale to the commercial market. Brokers and growers can purchase these varieties immediately. Retailers and consumers will find these Winners for sale for the 2016 gardening season as supply gradually becomes available throughout the chain of distribution. Garden communicators are free to begin writing about these varieties now.

The rest of the AAS Winners for 2016 are now readily available:

• Bunching Onion Warrior (Regional Winner Southeast, Mountain/Southwest)
• Geranium Brocade Cherry Night (National)
• Geranium Brocade Fire (National)
• Mizuna Red Kingdom F1 (National Winner)
• Pepper Cornito Giallo F1 (National)
• Pepper Escamillo F1 (National)
• Pumpkin Super Moon F1 (Regional: Southeast and Great Lakes)
• Radish Sweet Baby F1 (Regional Winner Southeast, Great Lakes)
• Salvia Summer Jewel™ Lavender (Regional: Southeast, Heartland, Great Lakes)
• Strawberry Delizz® F1 (National)
• Tomato Candyland Red (National)
• Tomato Chef’s Choice Green F1 (National)

A complete list of trial grounds and the judges behind our awards can be found here.

A complete list of all AAS Winners since 1932 can be found here. Note that this list of AAS Winners can be sorted by Flowers from Seed, Flowers from Cuttings, and Vegetables.

Ornamental Pepper Black Hawk F1
AAS 2016 Ornamental from Seed Winner
Regional Winner: Southeast and Heartland

If you are looking for a plant with little ornamental peppers that start off black and change to a head-turning red, you'll be over the moon for our newest AAS regional ornamental pepper winner, Black Hawk F1. This newest in our ornamental pepper winners is a very early flower and fruit producer that keeps up production through fall. The consistent plant habit and well branched fullness of the dark green, purple black foliage make it an excellent addition to any mixed container, flower bed or cut flower design. The red conical-shaped fruit are edible but not recommended as they are very spicy. Bred by Seeds By Design.

AAS^® Winner Data

Genus species: Capsicum annuum
Common name: Pepper
Unique qualities: Compact hybrid ornamental hot pepper with dark black purple conical fruit. Leaves are also purple. Plants cover quickly and last from summer to the first frost. Excellent performance in the Sunbelt.
Flower color: Purple
Foliage color: Purple Black
Flower size: 1/3 to 1/2 inch
Plant height: 10-12 inches
Plant type: Annual
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 7-8 inches
Closest comparisons on market: Black Olive, Black Pearl

Cabbage Katarina F1
AAS 2016 Edible Winner
National Winner

Coleslaw and summer go hand-in-hand and this year, you will be able to enjoy your own fresh, homemade coleslaw with our 2016 AAS Winner Cabbage Katarina F1. This new winner has a smaller head size (4”) and shape to be grown successfully in containers on patios, decks or in-ground beds, possibly as an ornamental/edible border. Judges noted that Katarina matured as much as 1-3 weeks earlier than the other cabbage comparison varieties, so harvest and enjoy early in the year. Once the main head was removed, the plant continued to grow smaller side heads as well. The taste is less bitter and sweeter than conventional varieties; it might just convert even those who think they are not fond of cabbage! Breed by Bejo Seeds.

AAS^® Winner Data

Genus species: Brassica oleracea, Capitata group
Common name: Cabbage
Fruit flavor: Sweet, crisp
Fruit size: 4 inches
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit color: Green
Plant color: Green
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 12-14 inches
Plant habit: Compact, depending on spacing
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 6 – 8 inches apart; 12 inches between rows
Length of time to harvest: 55 days from sowing seed, 45 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: Gonzales F1, Crystal Vantage F1

Kale Prizm F1
AAS 2016 Edible Winner
National Winner

Dreaming of growing the popular superfood kale but think you don’t have room? Look no further than our newest 2016 AAS Winner Kale Prizm F1. When grown, Prizm produces short, tight ruffle edged leaves that are content to be grown in containers as well as in-ground beds. The easy to maintain, almost stemless stalks are quick to re-leaf, so harvest early and often for a continual supply throughout the season. The almost nutty flavored leaves are tender enough to enjoy in fresh salads but also hold up well when cooked. Bred by Syngenta Vegetable Seeds.

AAS^® Winner Data

Genus species: Brassica oleracea, Acephala Group
Common name: Kale
Fruit flavor: Leaves have great texture and maintain flavor
Fruit size: 3.5 – 4.0 inches
Fruit shape: Curly leaves
Fruit color: Bright medium green leaves
Plant color: Medium Green
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 15+ inches
Plant habit: Upright
Garden location: Full sun, Partial sun
Garden spacing: 4-8 inches
Length of time to harvest: 50-60 days from sowing seed, 35-45 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: Starbor F1, Winterbor F1

Kohlrabi Konan F1
AAS 2016 Edible Winner
National Winner

Been meaning to try Kohlrabi in your garden? Our new AAS Winner Kohlrabi Konan F1 is suitable for first-time kohlrabi growers as well as kohlrabi die-hards. Konan was selected for it smooth, globe-shaped bulbs that can grow up to 6” in diameter and are the perfect upright size and shape for container gardening and garden plots. The upright, uniform leaves resist insect damage, meaning the plant stays healthy all season long. Of course, the best part is the sweet flavorful bulb that has an excellent texture making it easy to slice and dice. It’s time to try kohlrabi! Bred by Bejo Seeds.

AAS^® Winner Data

Genus species: Brassica oleracea
Common name: Kohlrabi
Fruit flavor: Mild radish/cabbage flavor.
Fruit size: 4 inches diameter
Fruit shape: Round globe
Fruit color: Light green
Plant color: Dark green
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 16 inches
Plant habit: Bushy
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 8 inches apart; 18 inches between rows
Length of time to harvest: 50 days from sowing seed, 42 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: Korist F1, Winner F1
 

Pepper Flaming Jade F1
AAS 2016 Edible Winner
Regional Winner: Heartland and Great Lakes
 

When you need Serrano peppers to help bring the heat to your recipes, look no further than Pepper Flaming Jade F1, our 2016 AAS Regional Winner for the Heartland and Great Lakes areas. Flaming Jade was praised for its disease resistant, upright habit and uniform plants making it an option for gardening in larger containers. Each plant is laden with a heavy set of large, long, firm fruit throughout the entire growing season, especially in the cooler climates of North America. Serrano peppers do well in sauces and pico de gallo as they lend an extra kick of heat compared to jalapeno peppers. Bred by Seminis Vegetable Seeds.

AAS^® Winner Data

Genus species: Capsicum annuum
Common name: Pepper
Fruit flavor: Typical Serrano flavor
Fruit size: 4 inches x 1 inch
Fruit shape: Cylindrical
Fruit color: Green
Plant color: Green
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 3 feet
Plant habit: Bushy
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 1 foot
Length of time to harvest: 105 days from sowing seed, 75 from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: Cocula F1, Sureno F1

Pumpkin Pepitas F1
AAS 2016 Edible Winner
National Winner
 

The newest All-America Selections award winning pumpkin, Pepitas, is a winner in both the decorative and culinary arenas. Pepitas is named for its hulless or naked seeds (pepitas) that lack the tough outer hull, making them easy to eat after slow-roasting. Pepitas are a delicious and nutritious treat, with many health benefits! Each high yield plant produces numerous, uniform medium sized (9 – 12 lb) pumpkins on healthy, disease resistant vines. This confectionary type of pumpkin produces orange fruits that, when mature, have decorative green stripes. Bred by Seeds By Design and W. A. Burpee.

AAS^® Winner Data

Genus species: Cucurbita pepo
Common name: Pumpkin
Fruit flavor: Pale yellow flesh that can be eaten raw or baked
Fruit size: 12-14 inches
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit color: Yellow/orange with green striping
Plant color: Dark Green
Plant type: Annual
Plant height: 15-16 inches
Plant habit: Requires space has trailing vines
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 3-4 feet
Length of time to harvest: 90 days from sowing seed
Closest comparisons on market: Triple Treat, Kakai