All-America Selections (AAS) was founded in 1932 by W. Ray Hastings,
when he was President of the Southern Seedsmen's Association. AAS began
with an association donation during the meeting held in Atlanta,
Georgia. He proposed the idea of AAS as a way for home gardeners to
learn which varieties were significantly improved. He encouraged all
seed companies to begin trial grounds to test new varieties. He had the
support of the seed companies and independent breeders to enter new,
unsold varieties into the trial. AAS began with a network of ten trial
grounds. The trials were grown and evaluated by skilled, impartial AAS
Judges. AAS Winners have been introduced each year since 1933. In 1934,
there were 30 AAS Award Winning new varieties introduced, a record
number. There have not been that many AAS Winners introduced since 1934.
AAS Trials have been conducted every year since 1932. The number of
Judges and sites may vary but the trials are conducted each year. In
1984 the AAS Board of Directors decided to simplify the award system and
award only two types. There is an AAS Gold Medal award reserved for a
breeding breakthrough. Gold Medal Awards have been rare, only given once
or twice a decade. The other AAS Award recognizes a flower or vegetable
for significant achievements, proven to be superior to all others on the
market.
In 70 years of AAS Winners, there have been 341 AAS Flowers, 270 AAS
Vegetables and 26 Bedding Plant Award Winners. AAS has introduced a
total of 637 Award Winners since 1933.
AAS continues as the oldest, most established international testing
organization in North America.
Below is are varieties of All-America Selections Winners that we have
available at this time. We plan on adding additional varieties in the
near future, so check back often!