8 new winners grace 2004 gardens

Nothing says spring is here better than gorgeous flowers and tasty vegetables, and no one knows better which new varieties show the most promise for this year's planting than the All-America Selections Committee.

The AAS is the country's oldest seed-testing organization, and this year's selections continue the panel's high standards with eight new winners to grace gardens across the country.

Celosia plumosa "Fresh Look Red" has a special designation as a Gold Medal Flower Award winner, meaning it is a consistent performer with minimal maintenance and pest-free growth. It holds its color all season and thrives in drought or rainy conditions.

In full sun, Fresh Look Red matures at 12 to 18 inches tall and spread 12 to 20 inches wide. The central plume grows 8 to 10 inches tall and 5 inches wide and are great in garden or patio containers . Spent plumes are covered by new foliage and blooms, so the plants always looks fresh. Like all other Celosia plumosa, the flowers are easily dried.

Celosia plumosa "Fresh Look Yellow" is a Flower Award Winner for 2004. It gives seasonlong color without constant care. It features golden yellow plumes, which at times cover the entire plant. The plant grows 12 to 17 inches high and spreads 12 to 15 inches wide, while the central plume grows to 9 inches tall and 6 inches wide.

This flower grows numerous side shoots that quickly cover mature blooms, eliminating the need for constant deadheading. Grow these in full sun as the plants exhibit humidity, heat and severe weather tolerance. Cut the flowers for arrangements or dry them as everlasting bouquets.

Gypsophila "Gypsy Deep Rose," the Bedding Plant Award Winner, is a much-improved baby's breath. This annual G. muralis is covered with dainty, roselike blooms. This new variety produces a higher number of blooms over a longer flowering season than older varieties. The flowers are double and semidouble and grow up to 3/8 of an inch with a great dark rose color.

"Gypsy Deep Rose" is a compact plant with a height of 8 to 10 inches, spreading 12 to 14 inches. This rounded plant prefers full sun, adapts well to container growing and requires little maintenance. It is easily grown from seed or bedding plants.

I liked Hollyhock "Queeny Purple," a Flower Award Winner, when I saw it in trials last summer. I was attracted to the "powder puff"-type frilly edged blooms with a cushion center. The flowers measure 3 to 4 inches across and cover the compact branching plants.

Plants will reach a mature height of 20 to 30 inches, making them perfect for smaller gardens. This is the first purple hollyhock available as a single color and not part of a mixture. This annual will flower prolifically the first year.