This year's Osteospermum F1 ‘Asti White’ AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner has to be a favorite. The Cape Daisies are wonderful plants for containers and tolerant of heat and drought, they come in an array of colors. This year's winner is described:

"Pure white daisy flowers with blue centers are the main attraction for ‘Asti White.’ The large blooms, 2 to 2-1/2 inches across are borne on stems that gracefully wave in the wind."

For more information from the AAS site, take a look at their printable post .

Osteospermum's  are fairly easy to grow and the Osteospermum site has complete information on care and "things to know" about this long blooming and drought tolerant annual. ( Actually, they are perennials, but not hardy in the North, so we grow them as annuals)

I like to center the Osteospermums and give them companions with colors that repeat the center disc. For the Asti White , another year's AAS winner, the Blue Wave petunia would be a cool and relaxing pairing, with a yellow to sparkle with both. How about a Janie marigold or trailing yellow nasturtium? Some ivy tucked into a container would be very pretty with the cool colors  of this new AAS winner, as well. Proven Winners brand has a selection of beautiful colors, with my most beloved one, Lemon Symphony.

 Cape Daisies pair well with lantanas and verbenas ,

Two More 2008 Winners 

Viola F1 ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ AAS Cool Season Bedding Plant Award Winner. Violas, though considered "cool season" plants, can surprise you with their long bloom. I love their cheerful faces in many garden situations.

Eggplant F1 ‘Hansel’ 2008 AAS Vegetable Award Winner. If you grow veggies you might want to include this mandatory component of ratatouille in your garden plans this year.

Check out this year's winners ... and  those from past years as well as getting seed sources for this year.