Tag: #plants

All-America Selections is a non-profit organization that releases several trialed plants each year as AAS Winners. AAS tests new varieties every year at their private and public trial sites located around the U.S. and Canada. Currently, there are four trial locations in Illinois, with three northern and one central. Independent judges, who are professional horticulturists in geographically diverse areas, evaluate trial entries against comparison plants. The results and observations are compiled, and winners are chosen. For the best plants suited to the area, Illinois residents should look for Great Lakes winners or National winners on the AAS Winners lists.

In 2025, there are 15 AAS winners. Out of the total, 14 winners are suited for Illinois, including four vegetables, and 10 flowers. 

Vegetables

• Kohlrabi Konstance F1 (Brassica oleracea var. Konstance F1): The National Vegetable winner is a purple kohlrabi with a longer harvest window, improved skin for crack-resistant, long-lasting, sweet yet peppery crunchy bulbs. The plant can be grown as a spring or a fall crop with 42 days to harvest from seed.
• Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1 (Capsicum annuum var. Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1): The National Vegetable winner is an extra sweet snack-sized mini pepper, produced continually with 50 to 100 peppers per plant with bacterial leaf spot resistance. Canary yellow peppers that are uniform in shape. The growth rate is 65 days to harvest from transplant and 90 days to harvest from seed.
• Squash Green Lightning F1 (Cucurbita pepo var. Green Lightning F1): The National Vegetable winner is a light green, medium-sized, early maturing Pattypan squash. For consumption or decoration, this glossy squash has a small seed cavity with more flesh. The growth rate is 40 days to harvest from transplant and 48 to 52 days from seed.
• Squash Thriller F1 (Cucurbita pepo var. Thriller F1): The National Vegetable winner is an orange dumpling squash that has cream and green variegation. For consumption or decoration, this trailing squash will add color to fall gardens and is resistant to powdery mildew. The growth rate is 80 to 85 days to harvest from seed.

Flowers

• Dahlia Black Forest Ruby (Dahlia pinnata var. Black Forest Ruby): The National winner is a stunning ruby-red flower against deep black foliage. This semi-double to double-blooming dahlia with durable pinnate leaves. Sturdy and disease-free during the growing season. The growth rate is 85 days to flower from seed.
• Dianthus Interspecific Capitán Magnifica (Dianthus interspecific var. Capitán Magnifica): A National winner that is a mix of pink and light pink, this dianthus keeps blooming and growing through the summer heat. Bred with more heat tolerance than other dianthus, along with rain and cold tolerance. A great cut flower, after cuttings, more blooms are put forth. The growth rate is 25 days to flower from transplant.
• Marigold Mango Tango (Tagetes patula var. Mango Tango): The National winner is a compact bi-colored yellow and red flowers that bloom prolifically. Great for containers or in-ground. Plant in a full sun to part shade location. In European trials Mango Tango is the recipient of the Fleuroselect award.
• Nasturtium Baby Gold (Tropaeolum minus var. Baby Gold): The Regional winner has intense gold flowers set against dark green foliage. From the baby series, it is known for its mounding, petite flowers and is great for containers or in small space gardens. Blooms remain upright, causing less flower flopping due to mounding habit. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible. The growth rate is 21 days to flower from transplant and 50 days to flower from seed.
• Nasturtium Baby Red (Tropaeolum minus var. Baby Red): The Regional winner is uniform and compact, Baby Red has rich red flowers on dark green foliage. From the baby series known for its mounding, petite flowers, and great for containers or in small space gardens. Blooms remain upright, causing less flower flopping due to mounding habit. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible.
• Nasturtium Baby Yellow (Tropaeolum minus var. Baby Yellow): The Regional winner has soft light-yellow flowers contrasting dark green foliage. From the baby series known for its mounding, petite flowers, and great for containers or in small space gardens. Blooms remain upright, causing less flower flopping due to mounding habit. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible. The growth rate is 21 days to flower from transplant and 50 days to flower from seed.
• Petunia Dekko Maxx Pink (Petunia x hybrida var. Dekko Maxx Pink): The Regional winner has non-fading pink flowers on a compact, fast-spreading habit. Prolific bloomer that holds up well against heavy inclement weather. Great ground cover for landscape installs, borders, or garden beds. Trim back as needed to refresh the flowers.
• Petunia Shake Raspberry F1 (Petunia multiflora var. Shake Raspberry F1): The National winner is a naturally compact petunia with coloration of blended reds, pinks, and lemon-lime. Does not fade or melt during the summer months. A mounded growth habit with funnel-shaped flowers. Great for a hanging basket, edging, or ground cover. The growth rate is 35 to 42 days to flower from transplant and 63 to 77 days from seed.
• Snapdragon DoubleShot Yellow Red Heart F1 (Antirrhinum majus var. DoubleShot Yellow Red Heart F1): The National winner is an early bloomer with long-lasting yellow, red, and pink flowers. Resistant to summer heat and smells like candy. Prefers full sun to part shade. Excellent frost, light freeze resistance, and can be a season extender in cold climates. The growth rate is 42 to 49 days to flower from transplant and 70 to 91 days from seed.
• Zinnia Zydeco Fire (Zinnia marylandica var. Zydeco Fire): A National winner that has a fully double and larger orange flower when compared to other zinnias. Sturdy stems that last until the first frost. Disease-resistant foliage helps those long-lasting blooms. The growth rate is 49 days to flower from transplant and 77 days from seed. Great for containers and pollinator-friendly.

Source: extension.illinois.edu©

Before you start planting with wild abandon, take a moment to make sure you’re not putting any of these plants near your bee balm.

Tall Plants

Avoid planting tall plants near your bee balm, like sunflowers, as they can shade out your bee balm and deprive it of the essential sunlight it needs to thrive.

Taller plants can also compete for valuable nutrients in the soil, making it difficult for your bee balm to grow healthily.

Shade-Loving Plants

Bee balm prefers full sun, so avoid planting shade-loving plants nearby, as their contrasting light requirements might create issues.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• astilbes
• hostas
• ferns

Shade-loving plants might suffer from too much sun exposure when they are planted close to bee balm, which can result in stress or damage to the plants.

Aggressive Spreaders

Plants with an aggressive spreading habit should be kept away from your bee balm.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• lemon balm
• mint 
• certain varieties of invasive grasses
• Bee balm itself can spread quite rapidly, so pairing it with other prolific spreaders can result in overcrowded and chaotic planting conditions.

Give your bee balm the space it needs to grow without being outcompeted by assertive neighbors.

Allelopathic Plants

Allelopathic plants release chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of neighboring plants. Keep such plants away from your bee balm to ensure its proper growth and health.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• sunflowers
• sorghum
• black walnut

Waterlogged Soil Plants

Bee balm prefers well-draining soil, so avoid planting it alongside plants that require consistently moist or waterlogged soil conditions.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• marsh marigolds
• irises
• ligularias

These differing soil requirements may lead to challenges in properly attending to the needs of each plant if they are placed in the same garden bed.

Plants Susceptible to Similar Pests and Diseases

To maintain a healthy and balanced garden ecosystem, avoid planting bee balm near plants that are susceptible to similar pests and diseases, like zinnias.

Keeping a diversity of plants with different disease and pest challenges can help reduce the risk of widespread issues in your garden.

Cultivating Bee Balm

Bee balm originates from North America and is known for its medicinal properties, vibrant foliage, and its ability to attract bees and butterflies.

To grow bee balm successfully, you should be aware of the specific needs and care it requires.

You should plant bee balm in well-drained soil either in the spring or fall.

While this awesome plant prefers full sun, it can tolerate partial shade, especially when grown in hotter climates.

Aim to give the plant at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

Bee balm thrives in a soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, so don’t forget to test and adjust your soil accordingly.

Space your bee balm plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation, helping to prevent common problems like mildew.

When it comes to watering, bee balm prefers consistently moist soil but can also tolerate brief periods of drought.

Overwatering you bee balm plants can lead to root rot, so make sure to strike a balance.

Including compost in your soil mix or incorporating it as a top dressing can help retain moisture while also providing essential nutrients.

During the growing season, it’s crucial to deadhead your bee balm, which means removing faded or spent blooms.

Deadheading encourages healthier growth and more prolific flowering.

Bee balm is hardy to USDA zones 4-9, making it a versatile addition to gardens across a wide range of climates.

One of the main issues you might face when growing bee balm is powdery mildew.

To prevent this problem, it’s essential to maintain good air circulation and avoid overcrowding.

Additionally, choose cultivars that are resistant to mildew, such as Marshall’s Delight or Jacob Cline.

Finally, bee balm can become quite aggressive in the garden as it has a tendency to spread.

To control its growth, you may need to divide the plant every 2-3 years.

Source: bloomingfieldsfarm

September is the ideal time to take cuttings of many tender plants, including penstemon and pelargonium. 

Some plants, such as half-hardy perennials or tender shrubs, may not make it through the winter, so by taking cuttings you can ensure that you can enjoy them the following year. Taking cuttings in autumn is also a good way of increase your stock of your favourite plants.

At this time of year, you can take semi-ripe cuttings, from this year’s growth. They are woody at the base and soft at the tip. In autumn, hormone levels are high, so plants should root and grow well. The hard base makes the cuttings less likely to rot.

Discover plants to propagate in September:

Fuchsia

Both hardy and half-hardy perennial varieties of fuchsia root easily. To produce bushy plants, pinch out the growing tips once rooted, then repeat next spring.

Penstemon

Penstemon plants winter safely outdoors, but they won’t take severe weather. Older plants tend to become woody and run out of steam – so take cuttings as a ‘belt and braces’ precaution.

Geranium (pelargonium)

Zonals, regals, miniatures, ivy-leaf and scented-leaf geraniums all root reliably in autumn and it’s cheaper easier than replacing unusual collectors’ kinds. Find out how to take geranium cuttings.

Salvia

Not all salvias are fully hardy, and some varieties are hard to come by, so taking cuttings is a good way of keeping your plants going from year to year. Give spare cuttings to friends, so you always know where to beg some back from.

Verbena

Both trailing and upright types of verbena have a low success rate when overwintered in greenhouses. They fare better as rooted cuttings on a windowsill indoors, where it’s warmer.

To view more flowers to propagate. copy the link below.

Source: gardenersworld.com

Cultural practices are a series of steps that can be taken to help your garden reach its full potential. The key is to take these steps before problems occur.

The following pages will shed some light on the cultural considerations needed in your garden.

Title photo by dreamstime.com

How these plant characteristics affect the look of your landscape.

Factors to consider when choosing.

Even a newbie gardener knows that for plants to thrive, they need good soil, sunlight, and water. But that’s not all there is to a recipe for success in the garden: You also need to make sure the plants you choose will actually be happy in your yard.

While this sounds simple enough, things turn complicated the second you head to the nursery and find yourself completely overwhelmed by the selection. Big, beautiful flowering shrubs, promising saplings, and even those showy annuals all start vying for your attention.

So how do you choose the best plants for your garden? Check out this article, and future related ones, to help you make an intelligent decision.

Factor to consider: Climate

Source: Wisconsin Horticulture – Division of Extension

Title photo credit: usagardencenter.com

The first in a series of articles about plant choice in your landscAPE.