Okay, guys, let’s get down to business.
We don’t have hours and hours to spend in the garden. We don’t want wimpy annuals that push out a few blooms and then wither away at the first sign of summer. We don’t need our summer picnics to be remembered for vegetables that taste flat and feel squishy.
What do we want? We want manly plants! We want plants that put on a bang-up show that makes the neighbors jealous. We insist on plants that perform even during the dog days of summer. We want to harvest vegetables that satisfy our hunger and can stand up to the biggest challenge – our outdoor grills. We want All-America Selections!
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Plant Petunias and…
Petunia Tidal Wave® Silver has to be the toughest seed-grown petunia around. The spreading plants cover themselves with billows of silvery white flowers with dark purple centers on spreading plants that makes other petunias hang their buds in shame. Its brother variety, Tidal Wave® Red Velour, produces deep red, velvety blooms that hold their color, even in the heat.
Ornamental Pepper Black Pearl thrives on heat all summer long with its dark black leaves and round, black fruit that turn a shiny red as the summer rolls toward fall. The small, round fruit of Black Pearl are edible but pack a fiery punch.
Cuphea FloriGlory Diana stands up to summer heat with darker green leaves and deeper magenta flowers that other varieties of Mexican heather sold in the nursery. Don’t let its small leaves and flowers fool you –this plant is tough!
Real Men Plant Pink
Dianthus Supra Pink may be small, but it’s mighty! Planted in containers or along the front of the flower bed, this compact dianthus keeps producing flowers when other dianthus have long faded away.
Vinca Mega Bloom Pink Halo laughs at summer heat and humidity and boldly stands up to the diseases that affect older vinca varieties. Joined by its brother, Vinca Mega Bloom Orchid Halo, there’ll be no shortage of summer flowers.
What’s on the Grill?
Tomato Patio Choice Yellow takes up little room in the garden and is perfect for growing in containers. The 1-inch tomatoes are sweet with little acidity and just the right size for grilling on a bamboo skewer along with Eggplant Patio Baby, Squash Bossa Nova, and Pepper Cornito Giallo. For some spicy-hot jalapeño flavor, add cheese filling to Pepper Emerald Fire and set on the grill.
Liven up chicken gumbo or crawfish etouffee with a habanero flavor (but without the heat) by adding Pepper Roulette. For dishes that call for bell peppers, try substituting Pepper Mama Mia Giallo or Pepper Escamillo. Finally, enjoy a harvest of Tomato Fantastico in salads and as a quick snack.
Written By Dr. Gene Blythe, Mississippi State University, South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station, Poplarville, Mississippi
AAS Winners
Pepper Roulette is so prolific!! Plants survived winter temperatures in the 30s. Loaded with peppers early in the season. Gorgeous remarkable plants. It’s true…no heat!