The Professionals’ Top Ten AAS Winners

The 24 professional horticulturists interviewed for this article were asked to list
their 10 AAS Winner favorites, based on ease of culture, climate hardiness,
beauty, and consumer appeal. The last category was measured on volume of
sales if the pro was a wholesale or retail seller, number of inquiries or comments
at botanical gardens, or requests for information and plant sources at display gardens. The plants are listed according to the number of votes cast for each.

1. ‘Bright Lights’ Swiss chard. (1998)*

2. ‘Tidal Wave Silver’ petunia. (2002)

3. ‘Profusion Cherry’, ‘Profusion Orange’ & ‘Profusion White’ zinnias. (1999, 1999 & 2000) The three colors are lumped together because they perform identically, and the pros viewed them as the same.

4. ‘Purple Majesty’ ornamental millet. (2003)

5. ‘Purple Wave’ petunia. (1995)

6. ‘Indian Summer’ rudbeckia. (1995)

7. ‘Sugar Snap’ pea. (1979)

8. ‘Sundial Peach’ portulaca. (1999)

9. ‘Fresh Look Red’ celosia. (2004)

10. ‘Sparkler Blush’ cleome. (2002)

* Year when plant was designated an AAS Winner