Best of Show – Geranium (Zonal) ‘Calliope’ from Syngenta Flowers

This variety captivated everyone with the prolific deep red flowers. Flowering was strong throughout the entire season. The robust flowering matched the impressive vigor of the plant which had larger leaves and a great uniform growth habit. ‘Calliope’ looked excellent in both container and in the ground.

Best New Variety – Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ developed by Creek Hill Nursery and entered by Eason Horticultural Resources

This standout was unique due to the multi-colored foliage which was predominately a beautiful combination of dark red with stripes of pink, white and green. Coloring changed depending on hot or cold weather. ‘Fireworks’ captured attention early in the season even before the dark purple plumes emerged. This distinctive variety was vigorous both in the ground and container.

Novelty – Ptilotus ‘Joey’ from Benary Seed

‘Joey’ was the run-away favorite for this category due to the combination of unique flower form, delicate texture and attractive coloring. The flowers are a fuzzy “arrow-head” shape in shades of soft lavender and white. Blooms were very abundant and lasted throughout the season. The plant came from Australia and is a good plant for hot areas and minimal care.

Best Angelonia – ‘AngelMist Purple’ from Ball FloraPlant

This prolific bloomer had dark purple flowers and a very uniform overall appearance was a strong characteristic of this variety. The ability to stand up to cooler weather late in the season gave it a longer bloom time than other varieties. ‘AngelMist Purple’ did well both in the ground and in the container.

Best Argyranthemum – ‘Reflection Pink’ from Danziger

Flowers were very abundant and relatively large with attractive hues of pink and white. The numerous large flowers were very showy. An added bonus is that ‘Reflection Pink’ bloomed strong through the heat and outperformed all the other varieties even in September.

Best Bacopa – ‘Gulliver Blue Sensation’ from Danziger

Flowering was strong and very consistent throughout the growing season which included a recorded breaking heatwave in July. Flowers were relatively large with a good blue color. The overall growth habit was very uniform.

Best Begonia (wax type) – ‘Volumia Pink’ from S&G Flowers

The large plant and large, abundant flowers radiated a vigorous appearance that was very showy. The numerous pink flowers provide outstanding color and make a great mass display.

Best Calibrachoa – ‘Million Bells Cherry Pink Improved’ from Jackson & Perkins

Selected for consistent strong flowering all season - even into September. Relatively large flowers opened earlier in the day than many other varieties and the color was a stunning shade of pink. Plants were very uniform as well as being very showy.

Best Coleus – ‘Henna’ from Ball FloraPlant

This was a Coleus that “had it all” – unique coloring, fringed leaf edge, and impressive vigor. Foliage was an unusual color with an ochre/chartreuse coloring on the upper surface and a dark burnt sienna on the lower side and stems. The vigorous growth was controlled and created a very uniform look overall.

Best Dahlia – ‘Dark Angel Dragon Ball’ from Grolink

There was easy consensus by the evaluators for this selection. The blossoms had a very unique color and created a very dramatic look contrasted against the beautiful dark purple foliage. Flowers were a dark magenta/fuchsia and medium to large sized.

Best Dianthus – ‘Garden Spice Coral’ from Fides North America

Flowering was strong even in the midst of a record breaking hot streak in July. Flowers were a vibrant coral color which stood out well against the foliage color. Plants were vigorous and uniform. A very pleasing fragrance is another attractive feature of this flower that helped make it a standout.

Best Diascia – ‘Darla Appleblossom’ from Syngenta Flowers

This variety was another strong bloomer during the heat and kept going right into September. Abundant soft pink blooms create a delicate appearance and the growth habit was very uniform to create a very attractive presentation.

Best Geranium (compact zonal) – ‘Eclipse Velvet Red’ from Syngenta Flowers

The dark green foliage sets off the intense red color of the flower creating a dazzling combination. All plants had strong vigor and were very uniform.

Best Geranium (ivy) – ‘Acapulco Compact Cascade’ from Syngenta Flowers

A vigorous plant that looked great in a container. Both flowers and foliage create a delicate/dainty appearance with a finer texture than most ivy geraniums. The beautiful pink and white flowers were very profuse and showy. This variety has been a reliable performer in the past few trials.

Begonia x benariensis ‘BIG Rose Bronze Leaf’ from Benary Seed

A terrific plant for sun or shade. Appears similar to a wax begonia but blooms and plant are both much larger and create an impressive display of color. The flowers are held above the foliage and the rose color contrasts nicely against the foliage.

Best Geranium (zonal) – Geranium (Zonal) ‘Calliope’ from Syngenta Flowers

This variety captivated everyone with the prolific deep red flowers. Flowering was strong throughout the entire season. The robust flowering matched the impressive vigor of the plant which had larger leaves and a great uniform growth habit. ‘Calliope’ looked excellent in both container and in the ground.

Best Impatiens (seed) – ‘Super Elfin Blue Pearl XP’ from PanAmerican Seed

The soft blue color and consistent bloom through the season made this a solid winner. The abundant flowers always covered the top of vigorous yet very uniform plants.

Best Impatiens (double) – ‘Silhouette Salmon 09’ from Syngenta Flowers

Vibrant salmon colored flowers were fully double and very stunning. Plants appeared to be more compact than other entries and also had an excellent overall growth habit.

Best Impatiens (New Guinea) – ‘Riviera White Eye’ from Dummen

Large white flowers had a hint of lavender around the edges and were very prolific. Looked good even in September. Overall appearance was one of strong plants with a very uniform growth habit.

Best Lantana – ‘Bandana Pink 09’ from Syngenta Flowers

Flowers had a nice balance of color between soft pink and yellow that gave a very calming look. Plants were very symmetrical and vigorous.

Best Lobelia – ‘Magadi Blue’ from Selecta First Class

Brilliant, clear blue blooms had a small white eye that made the flowers “pop” against the dark green foliage. Plants kept blooming strongly throughout the season and even stayed fresh looking into September.

Best Osteospermum – ‘Tradewinds Purple Bicolor’ from Syngenta Flowers

The winner of “Best Osteospermum” for two years in a row. This variety did well both in containers and ground with a nice compact growth habit and excellent flowering. Flowers were a beautiful combination of purple and white.

Best Pentas – ‘Northern Lights Lavender’ from Benary Seed

The light lavender color bounces nicely against the dark green leaves. Blooms look good even as it matures and color fades. Flowers are held in large clusters and are long lasting. This variety is the winner of “Best Pentas” for two years in a row.

Best Petunia (double) – ‘Double Wave Pink’ from Fides North America

A true double flower with more blooms over the season than any other variety. Flowers were held above the foliage and were an attractive shade of pink. Plants were vigorous and remained much healthier late in the season than many other varieties.

Best Petunia (mini-spreading) – ‘Littletunia Red Star’ from Danziger

The prolific flowering, vivid color contrast and unique flower pattern made it a dazzling standout in the beds. The blooms were a bright red and white and resembled little pinwheels. The growth habit was very tight and uniform.

Best Petunia (spreading, seed propagated) – ‘Tidal Wave Hot Pink’ from PanAmerican Seed

“Tidal Wave” is an appropriate description for these vigorous plants as they crested high above the surrounding varieties. Bright pink flowers were so vigorous that they almost blocked out all appearances of the plant.

Best Petunia (spreading, vegetatively propagated) – ‘Sanguna Lipstick’ from Syngenta Flowers

The huge mass of flowers had vivid color that shimmered in the sunlight. Large, full plants were very uniform but barely able to be seen under the canopy of intense blooms.

Best Rudbeckia – ‘Autumn Colors’ from Benary Seed

Large flowers were striking late in the summer when they covered the tops of the plants. The exceptionally large petals were a very attractive combination of brown, yellow and burnt sienna. Foliage was a healthy dark green color.

Best Salvia splendens – ‘Reddy White Surprise’ from Hem Genetics

This variety had a very unique color combination on flowers as well as excellent overall uniformity. Flowers were a very interesting white and red bicolor that were much different than any other entry. Plants were not as tall as most varieties and had good vigor.

Best Scaevola – ‘Surdiva Blue’ from Jackson & Perkins

Abundant small blue flowers made a strong show all through the season. Plants were full, compact and didn’t crash down in the middle.

Best Torenia – ‘Moon Golden Improved’ from Danziger

Unique flower color and abundant blooms contrasted nicely against the dark green foliage. Flowers were a striking combination of yellow and purple. Plants were uniform and kept blooming even into September.

Best Verbena – ‘Lanai Blue 09’ from Syngenta Flowers

The beautiful, robust plants grew well both in the ground and in containers. A stunning color of blue made a nice contrast against the dark green foliage. Flowering was strong throughout the summer.

Best Vinca (vegetatively propagated) – ‘Nirvana Rose’ from Syngenta Flowers

Evaluators loved the relatively large flowers and attractive rose color. Besides the abundant flowers, the plant was noted for having a compact growth habit, excellent vigor and healthy foliage.

Best Vinca (seed propagated) – ‘Cora Deep Lavender’ from Goldsmith Seeds

The deep lavender flowers were large and made a beautiful presentation. Plants were free of any disease and were very symmetrical overall. Flowering was excellent throughout the summer.

Best Zinnia – ‘Profusion Knee High Red’ from Sakata Seed America

Flower color was a very intense red with a hint of orange mixed in. The unique color was very rich and made a strong impact. Blooms were very abundant even into September.

Salvia splendens ‘Dancing Flame’ from Grolink.

Variegated green and yellow foliage makes a great plant all by itself but it also has small red flowers scattered across the top which creates the impression of small tongues of fire. This salvia was very large as well as very unique.

Verbena (upright) ‘Lanai Upright Bright Rose’ from Syngenta Flowers.

The flower was a standout for several reasons. The bloom color of this entry was a unique bicolor that captivated the evaluators. Flowers were very numerous and the plant was vigorous with a controlled growth habit for a great overall appearance.

Zinnia ‘Zahara Yellow’ from PanAmerican Seed.

This variety created excitement due to the new color which was a beautiful crisp yellow. Plants were uniform and had many blooms over a long period.