What is All-America Selections?

What is All-America Selections?

A non-profit organization, founded in 1932 by Ray Hastings, that promotes new garden varieties judged to have superior garden performance in impartial trials throughout North America.

AAS is the oldest, and most trusted national trialing organization in North America, supported by breeding companies.

EntriesBreeders enter new, never-before-sold cultivars to be judged in one of four categories:

1. Seed Ornamentals (flowers & foliage grown from seed)

2. Vegetative Ornamentals (flowers & foliage grown from cuttings)

3. Edible/Vegetables from Seed (self-explanatory!)

4. Herbaceous Perennials (perennials that die back each fall/winter)

AAS Trials Sites in U.S. and Canada1. Seed Ornamentals – 40 sites2. Edible/Vegetable – 28 sites3. Vegetative Ornamentals – 18

sites4. Herbaceous Perennials – 24

sites

Total of 80 AAS Trial Judges!

AAS Trial Site: Dallas Arboretum

AAS Trial Site: Rotary Botanical Gardens

AAS Trial Site: Green Bay Botanical Garden

• Horticulture professionals• Seasoned trialing experts• Unpaid – they volunteer their time• Unbiased - cannot judge their own entries• The core of our success

AAS Trial Judges

What qualities make an AAS Winner? Better tasting vegetables Longer blooming annuals Superior disease resistance Unique colors or qualities More flowers or fruits per plant

AAS Winners must out-perform other similar varieties on the market in order to win the AAS Winner designation

After the Trial;Introduction Criteria Breeder gives the variety a marketing name Breeder submits publicity photos Seed/Cuttings in inventory Germination tests results are submitted Product is priced and ready to ship

Now it can be declared an “AAS Winner”

Publicity After Introduction

To:• Seed Companies• Distribution chain• Growers• Retailers• Garden Writers• Bloggers•Consumers

Publicity ProgramRobust website:

Publicity ProgramImplementing Social Media:• Pinterest• Facebook• Instagram• Twitter• Slide Share• Etc.

Publicity ProgramDisplay Gardens

Almost 200 public gardens grow and display the past five years of AAS Winners.

Display Garden: Dallas Arboretum

Display Garden: Denver Botanic Gardens

Display Garden: Michigan State University

Display Garden: Miami University, Hamilton Conservatory

Display Garden: University of Saskatchewan

Display Garden: University of Delaware

Display Garden: MSU South Mississippi State University