In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener
The first group of All America selections for 2025 have been announced. All America selections are plants that have been tested in many gardens across North America and have been found to be superior to other varieties on the market. Once a variety has been given the All America award, it continues to be an All America selection thereafter. A plant may be given national recognition, or it may be given a regional award if it is found to be noteworthy in a particular area. Indiana is a part of the Great Lakes region. All America selections are made in three categories: annuals, perennials and edibles. The edibles include vegetables, fruits and herbs.
In the edibles category, five vegetables have been awarded All America status for 2025 as national winners. There has been one selection for a regional award in the Great Lakes Region. That selection was an herb.
The regional award winner is Piedmont basil. This selection was made due to the superior resistance to downy mildew, a fungal disease that is prevalent in the Midwest. This basil was found to exhibit vigorous growth, producing abundant dark green leaves. The flavor is described as rich and robust. Piedmont basil was bred by Garden Genetics and Seeds by Design. Seed for this plant is expected to be available soon.
Purple vegetables are nothing new, but most of the purple vegetables lose their color when cooked. National All America selection Murasaki Fioretto cauliflower holds its purple hue when cooked. The flavor of this cauliflower is said to be mild and sweet. It may be cooked or eaten raw. The breeder of this purple cauliflower is Tokita Seed America.
Another purple vegetable making the list this year is Konstance kohlrabi. This purple kohlrabi lasts longer in the garden than other kohlrabis. The bulbs have a mild flavor, and the leaves of the plant are also edible in salads or cooked as greens. Bejo Seeds developed this All America winner.
From purple cole crops, we move to yellow peppers. Pick-N-Pop peppers were bred by Seminis Home Garden. They are snack-sized extra sweet peppers and the plant is described as vigorous. This is an indeterminate pepper, meaning that the plant will continue to produce fruit until a killing frost. The peppers also store well after they are picked.
Two squash varieties have garnered All America honors this year. Green Lightning is an early squash that is quick to mature. The squash has a small seed cavity, so there is plenty of tasty flesh for your favorite squash recipes. Joseph Stern is the breeder of this variety, which is offered through Pan American Seed.
Like Green Lightning, Thriller squash is as ornamental as it is a culinary delight. The fruits of this selection are lobed, with colorful skin of cream, green and bright orange. The plants are semi-bush type, so this is a great squash for container gardens or gardening in small spaces.
These varieties may be available in many seed catalogues, but you may not see the All America blue ribbon on them. Many of the catalogues went to press before the selections were announced. However, they will have that ribbon in future catalogues. Watch for them. Next week, we will take a look at some ornamental plants selected for 2025.