Perennials of the year
The Perennial Plant Association is comprised of growers, educators, retailers and landscapers all dedicated to promoting perennial plants.Each year members of this organization submit their nominations for the title of “Perennial Plant of the Year.”
Nominations are based on the following criteria:
Nominations are based on the following criteria:
- Suitable for a wide range of climate conditions
- Low maintenance
- Pest and disease resistant
- Multiple seasons of interest
- Easily propagated
2023 Perennial OF THE YEAR
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2023 - Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush' This vigorous, compact variety produces large, deep golden-yellow daisies with dark brown eyes; bred to be highly resistant to Septoria leaf spot; deadhead for re-blooming; drought tolerant once established; wonderful along borders or in containers.
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PAST WINNERS
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2014 - Northwind Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' Northwind Switch Grass features airy plumes of rose flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive grassy leaves are olive green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous gold in the fall. The brick red seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to mid fall. The tan stems can be quite attractive.
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2013- Polygonatum odoratum ‘variegatum’ (Solomon’s Seal)
18-24” HxW. Shade. Arching stems of variegated green and white foliage and softly scented flowers fill in beautifully between hosta and fern.
2012-Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
18” HxW. Shade. Silvery variegated heart-shaped leaves brighten up a dark spot with bright blue flowers in spring.
2011-Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas Blue Star)
3’ HxW. Sun. Soft needle-like foliage with pale blue flowers late spring into summer. Spectacular yellow fall color!
2010-Baptisia australia (False Indigo)
4’H x 3-4’W. Sun. A tough native plant with intense indigo blue flowers on attractive mint-green foliage.
2009-Hakonechloa Macra ‘Aureola’ (Japanese Forest Grass)
1-2’H x 2-3’W. Shade. Great color and texture in shade gardens with this yellow bladed grass.
2008- Geranium ‘Rozanne’
H 20” W 24”. Very large violet blue flowers with white centers from early summer until frost above mounds of slightly marbled green foliage.Can be sheared back to 3” to rejuvenate. Prefers moist, organic soil.
2007- Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’ Catmint
H 30-36” W 30-36”. Walkers Low is a named for a garden and the name is not related to the plant size! Lovely violet-blue flowers over a long period. Attractive gray-green foliage, lack of pest or disease problems and low maintenance make it a winner. Deer and rabbit resistant.
2006- Diantus ‘Firewitch’
H 6” W 12”. Masses of brilliant raspberry red 1” upward facing flowers with a spicy clove fragrance cover silvery-blue mats of evergreen foliage in late spring, early summer. Often re-bloom in fall if deadheaded.
2005- Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
H 24” W 18”. Dense evergreen foliage, nodding cup-shaped flowers of white, cream, pink to purple. Excellent plant for shade. Deer and rabbit resistant.
2004- Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese Painted Fern)
H 12-18” W 24”. Exciting purple, gray, green variegated foliage. Very hardy fern for shade.
2003- Leucanthemum ‘Becky’ (Shasta Daisy)
H 36” W 24”. Long-lasting larg 2-3” single white daisies with stout stems from mid to late summer. Excellent cut flower. Very heat tolerant,exceptionally long-lived plants.
2002- Phlox ‘David’
H 40” W 24”. Deliciously fragrant pure white flowers. Blooms from mid to late summer. Very easy to grow, mildew resistant variety.
2001- Calamagostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Reed Grass)
H 4-6’ W 2-3’. Green Foliage. White plumes fade to rose with tan seed heads.
2000- Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’ (Pincushion Flower)
H 12-18” W 20”. A profusion of lavender-blue flowers all summer on this cultivar originally discovered in Ireland. Compact habit does not require staking.
1999- Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed-Susan)
H 24” W 24”. Large deep yellow flowers, bronzy-black cone center. Forms nicely branched plants. Superior hardy variety.
1998- Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (Purple Coneflower)
H 36” W 24”. Rosy purple petals with dark lilac cone. Petals do not droop. Blooms July through September
1997- Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’
H 18” W 12”. Indigo-blue blooms with rich green foliage. Cut back to encourage re-blooming.
18-24” HxW. Shade. Arching stems of variegated green and white foliage and softly scented flowers fill in beautifully between hosta and fern.
2012-Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
18” HxW. Shade. Silvery variegated heart-shaped leaves brighten up a dark spot with bright blue flowers in spring.
2011-Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas Blue Star)
3’ HxW. Sun. Soft needle-like foliage with pale blue flowers late spring into summer. Spectacular yellow fall color!
2010-Baptisia australia (False Indigo)
4’H x 3-4’W. Sun. A tough native plant with intense indigo blue flowers on attractive mint-green foliage.
2009-Hakonechloa Macra ‘Aureola’ (Japanese Forest Grass)
1-2’H x 2-3’W. Shade. Great color and texture in shade gardens with this yellow bladed grass.
2008- Geranium ‘Rozanne’
H 20” W 24”. Very large violet blue flowers with white centers from early summer until frost above mounds of slightly marbled green foliage.Can be sheared back to 3” to rejuvenate. Prefers moist, organic soil.
2007- Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’ Catmint
H 30-36” W 30-36”. Walkers Low is a named for a garden and the name is not related to the plant size! Lovely violet-blue flowers over a long period. Attractive gray-green foliage, lack of pest or disease problems and low maintenance make it a winner. Deer and rabbit resistant.
2006- Diantus ‘Firewitch’
H 6” W 12”. Masses of brilliant raspberry red 1” upward facing flowers with a spicy clove fragrance cover silvery-blue mats of evergreen foliage in late spring, early summer. Often re-bloom in fall if deadheaded.
2005- Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
H 24” W 18”. Dense evergreen foliage, nodding cup-shaped flowers of white, cream, pink to purple. Excellent plant for shade. Deer and rabbit resistant.
2004- Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese Painted Fern)
H 12-18” W 24”. Exciting purple, gray, green variegated foliage. Very hardy fern for shade.
2003- Leucanthemum ‘Becky’ (Shasta Daisy)
H 36” W 24”. Long-lasting larg 2-3” single white daisies with stout stems from mid to late summer. Excellent cut flower. Very heat tolerant,exceptionally long-lived plants.
2002- Phlox ‘David’
H 40” W 24”. Deliciously fragrant pure white flowers. Blooms from mid to late summer. Very easy to grow, mildew resistant variety.
2001- Calamagostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Reed Grass)
H 4-6’ W 2-3’. Green Foliage. White plumes fade to rose with tan seed heads.
2000- Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’ (Pincushion Flower)
H 12-18” W 20”. A profusion of lavender-blue flowers all summer on this cultivar originally discovered in Ireland. Compact habit does not require staking.
1999- Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed-Susan)
H 24” W 24”. Large deep yellow flowers, bronzy-black cone center. Forms nicely branched plants. Superior hardy variety.
1998- Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (Purple Coneflower)
H 36” W 24”. Rosy purple petals with dark lilac cone. Petals do not droop. Blooms July through September
1997- Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’
H 18” W 12”. Indigo-blue blooms with rich green foliage. Cut back to encourage re-blooming.