Five annual flowers were chosen as All-America Selection award winners for 2004. There are over 40 All-America Selection sites across Canada and the United States that evaluate unreleased annuals and vegetables. To receive this award, each selection must possess unique or improved characteristics compared to existing cultivars. A brief description of each award recipient is listed below.

Gypsophila 'Gypsy Deep Rose'

'Gypsy Deep Rose' performed well in at least one Iowa trial garden. The dark rose-colored flowers are semi-double to fully double. The plants produce more blooms over a longer flowering period. Plants prefer a full sun location. 'Gypsy Deep Rose' plants are best located in the front of beds as their mature height is around 8 to 10 inches with a spread of 12 to 14.

Petunia 'Limbo Violet'

This grandiflora type petunia has large 3-inch blooms and is a color knockout in the garden! The violet color is electric. Plant habit is improved with 'Limbo Violet' as these compact, stretch resistant plants attain a spread of 10 to 12 inches and a height of 6 to 7 inches. Its compact habit makes 'Limbo Violet' a good candidate for use in containers. 'Limbo Violet' flowers all season in a full-sun location.

Hollyhock 'Queeny Purple'

'Queeny Purple', a new dwarf, double-flowered hollyhock reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet in a full sun location. The best part is that 'Queeny Purple' will flower in about 12 weeks from sowing seed.

Celosia 'Fresh Look Red' and 'Fresh Look Yellow'

Purportedly 'Fresh Look Red' and 'Fresh Look Yellow' provide consistent carefree garden performance. Plants will reach a height of 12 to 16 inches in a full sun location.

This article originally appeared in the 1/16/2004 issue.