The lilac buds are bursting, signaling spring is just days away. But gardeners, there's still time for one last look at the nursery Web sites you bookmarked and the catalogs you paged through all winter.

Just in case you overlooked something new, take a look at the Mailorder Gardening Association's 2007 Green Thumb Awards. These are top 10 plants and tools for landscapes, home orchards and gardens, all chosen by garden writers and editors.

Selections were based on what was unique, a technological innovation or solved a gardening problem. The final criteria was the plant's or tool's potential to appeal to gardeners across the nation.

Because these awards are handed down through the MGA, these top 10 are only available online or through a catalog. But it's likely only a matter of time before you'll find them on the shelves and in the potting sheds of Mid-Columbia nurseries and garden departments.

Here are the top five -- in no particular order -- in the plant, bulb and seed category:

-- Sugar pearls apricot

Sugar pearls bloom later than other apricot varieties, are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4-7 and are self-pollinating. The fruit has a sweet golden-honey flavor and smooth texture. Cost is $32 for a semi-dwarf tree at Henry Field's Seed & Nursery; www.HenryFields.com; 513-354-1494.

-- Fire of love tulip

This tulip displays a riot of color in its deep scarlet blooms and waxy leaves, which are variegated with streaks of white, pink, green and purple. It flowers in mid-spring.

Cost will be about $20 or less for 10 bulbs at Brent and Becky's Bulbs; www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com; 1-877-661-2852. The bulbs won't be available until fall.

-- Rudbeckia triloba "Prairie Glow"

This stunning bloomer has pinwheels of petals in glowing colors of mahogany, russet and gold. The stems are a rich purple-brown and grow three to five feet tall. It's hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and blooms in approximately July through September.

Cost is $4 for a seed packet, $8 for a plant from Select Seeds & Plants; www.selectseeds.com; 1-800-684-0395.

-- TruGold peach

The freestone fruits are rich and sweet and can hold flavor and texture in the fridge up to 14 days. The tree is a vigorous grower, self-pollinating and hardy in USDA zones 5-8. It's a late blooming, standard size tree. Cost is $25 from Henry Field's Seed & Nursery; www.HenryFields.com; 513-354-1494.

-- "King Harry" potato

"King Harry" is resistant to the pests that often bother potatoes -- including Colorado potato beetles and potato leafhoppers -- because they dislike the plant's hairy leaves. It's a robust plant, yielding a heavy crop.

Cost for a five-pound bag of double-certified organic seed potatoes is $15 from Wood Prairie Farm; www.woodprairie.com; 1-800-829-9765.

Here are the top five -- in no particular order -- in the tools, supplies and accessories category:

-- Thermoplanter: The heated pot extends the growing season for tropical waterlillies in nearly all USDA zones by keeping the soil 20 degrees warmer than the pond it sits in. Cost is $44 at Lilypons Water Gardens; www.lilypons.com; 1-800-999-5459.

-- Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder: Openings at the bottom of the feeder align with seed ports to give birds access, but when a squirrel climbs aboard, its weight forces a shroud down, blocking the seed. It holds three quarts and has a ventilation system to keep seeds dry. Cost is $70 with a lifetime warranty from The Lawn and Garden Performance Group; www.AudubonWorkshop.com; 513-354-1485.

-- Cowpots: These biodegradable transplant pots are made from recycled dairy fiber so you can place your transplants with the pot directly into the ground. This greatly reduces transplant shock. A set of 15 costs $11.95 from Gardener's Supply; www.gardeners.com; 1-800-955-3370.

-- Grow box: All you need is sunlight and a few square feet of space on deck, patio or balcony to enjoy homegrown tomatoes, vegetables, flowers, berries or herbs. The planter features a special cover that stops weeds and automatically adds water and fertilizer. It's 30 by 15 inches and comes in green or terra cotta. Cost is $30 from The Garden Patch; www.aGardenPatch.com; 1-800-519-1955.

-- Square foot success kit: The container's footprint is only one square foot, which is a great size for dwarf or patio-sized vegetables. The kit includes a self-watering planter, container mix, organic fertilizer and a conical wire support. Just add the plant. Cost is $40 from Gardener's Supply; www.gardeners.com; 1-800-955-3370.

-- On the Net: For more information on the MGA, go to www.mailordergardening.com

* Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com