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National Garden Bureau reveals “Year of the” picks

Oct. 18, 2013, Downers Grove, IL — The National Garden Bureau has announced the three crops that will be featured in its 2014 "Year of the" program.

Every year the non-profit selects three varieties – one annual, one perennial and one edible – that are easy to grow, genetically diverse, and offer consumers lots of new varieties to choose from.

The 2014 "Year of the" plants are:

• Perennial: Echinacea, which was chosen for its vast assortment of flower colours and shapes that continue to be favourites in home and public gardens.
• Annual: Petunia, which come in a variety of bold colours, are widely adaptable, vigorous, self-reliant and largely pest and disease free. Plus these little pretties are low maintenance and drought-tolerant.
• Vegetable: Cucumber, one of the five most popular garden vegetables, in large part because they are very adaptable and easy to grow from seed.

Throughout 2014, the National Garden Bureau will work to promote all three varieties to consumers and encourage gardening with these specific crops.

(Photo courtesy of the National Garden Bureau.)