There are some beauties in the AARS Winners list for 2010. Several of them are Zinnias which make wonderful cut flowers, and two are exciting prairie flowers, including "PowWow Wild Berry" Echinacea, pictured.

The AARS site gives instructions on growing from seed and flower data. For the Coneflower [Echinacea], that includes:

Genus species: Echinacea purpura
Common name:Purple Coneflower
Unique qualities: Flower color, branching and plant size
Flower size: 3 to 4 inches
Flower form: Single daisy
Plant height: 20 to 24 inches
Width: 12 to 16 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 16 to 18 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 20 weeks for June flowering

Closest comparisons on market: ‘Primadonna Deep Rose,’ ‘Prairie Splendor’ and ‘Magnus’

Each plant selected has this form of  growing data included, which I found very convenient. It is easy to check if the plant will fit within the growing conditions of your garden, before you invest time considering whether to grow it or not. so many times I am tempted by plant suggestion in an article or catalog only to find with later research that it isn't ideal for my chosen garden area. 

 A Quick tips and Info List

Print this and take to the store or use it when ordering from catalogs or making your garden plans. 

Tulips

 Generally plant tulips bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep.

• Darwins and hybrids grow 20-30 inches 
• Fosteriana grow 12-24 inches
• Triumph grow to 20 inches, sometimes 14", or 24"
• Single Early grow 14"-22"
• Single Lates grow 18 to 24 inches
• Parrots grow 14" to 24"
• Lily flowered grow 18-22 inches, occasionally to 24"
• Kaufmannia grow 6-12 inches
• Greigeii grow 12-15 inches
• Tiny species types can be as small as 4" high
• Take your written list of desired varieties to the store
• Tulips are hardy in USDA sones 3 to 7
• Tulips need good drainage and sun; morning sun especially good.

Types and Bloomtime

1. Species tulips, Fosteriana, Early Single Tulips, Early Double Tulips, Greigeii Tulips are Early
2. Darwin Tulips, Triumph Tulips, Rembrandt Triumph Tulips,Fringed Tulips are Midseason
3. Double Late Tulips, Lily-flowering Tulip, Multi-flowering Tulips, Parrot Tulips, Single Late Tulips, Viridiflora Tulips are Late

Daffodils

• Should be planted depth of 3x their bulb height (3"-8")
• Check their heights -daffodils vary widely
• Divisions are based on flower type and shape; there are 13 divisions
• Size designations are : DNI = the largest, with a 16+ centimeter (cm) cricumference; DN II = 14-16 cm; DN III =12-14 cm
• Bloomtimes range from very early through late spring, but most are early spring. Check the variety.
• Daffodils need at least 6 hrs of sun
• Daffodils are dependable and will need to be divided after four to five years, usually.

Crocus

• Planting depth of 3 to 4 inches
• Height 4-6 inches
• 8 Bulbs per square ft.
• Bloom very early spring

Hyacinths

• Planting depth of 4 inches
• Heights of 8 to 12 inches
• Space 3 bulbs per square foot
• Hardy in zones 5-9
• Bloom Midspring

Alliums

• Plant smaller types, Moly, Roseum, Ostrowskianum, Neopolitanum, etc. 10 Bulbs in a square ft.
• Larger types, Caeruleum, Sphaerocephalum or Drumstick Allium in 3 to 5 bulb per sq.ft groups. and the Largest like 'Globemaster' or 'Gladiator' in one per sq. ft. spacing.
• Blooms early summer

Are gnats annoying you out in the garden? Well, Sylvana of  'The Obsessive Gardener' found this remedy:

I found my answer - vanilla! Apparently gnats don't like it, and I have some so why not give it a try? I took about 1/8 a teaspoon real vanilla extract and rubbed it onto my neck, ears and forehead, grabbed the camera and went back outside. I was outside for the same amount of time I had been before - no gnats! And bonus, I smell like a cookie!